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Acne in young children as well as adolescents is a type of acne vulgaris. This acne usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest. Dermatologists have found many cases of acne in young children who are only seven years old. Doctors believe that it is related to precocious puberty (precocious puberty), which causes adrenal androgen hormones to increase, which triggers acne at a young age.

For example, in a girl, acne can be seen before the growth of breasts, pubic and armpit hair, and the first menstruation. In boys, acne can occur before the growth of pubic and armpit hair, enlargement of the testicles and penis, and the voice becoming deeper and deeper. To find out more, let's look at the following information about acne in children!

Causes of acne in children

There are four things that cause acne, namely the body's natural oils (sebum), clogged pores, bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes), and inflammation. Here's the explanation:

1. Sebum is produced by glands in the very deep layers of the skin and reaches the surface through the pores of the skin. The increase in certain hormones will occur around the time of puberty, and these hormones can trigger the oil glands to produce an increase in the amount of sebum.
2. Pores with excess oil tend to get clogged more easily.
3. At the same time, P. acnes (one of the many bacteria that live on everyone's skin) thrives on excess oil and creates inflammation.
4. If the clogged pore is close to the surface of the skin and has inflammation, it will result in closed blackheads or open comedones on the surface of the skin.
5. A plug that extends into the pore or that forms slightly deeper than the pore and enlarges or breaks, can cause excess inflammation. As a result, it produces red bumps (papules) and pus-filled pimples (pustules).
6. If the blockage occurs in the deepest layer of the skin, the inflammation will get worse, resulting in the formation of nodules and cysts.

Is acne in pre-teen children different?

In general, acne in pre-teen children is lighter. Usually children in this age group have open comedones and closed comedones. In addition, red pimples (papules) are sometimes located in the T zone on the face (forehead and along the nose), as well as the chin. However, if your acne is more severe, it may be a sign that your child will have more serious acne in the future.

How do you treat acne in children?

Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, a lead author of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report, formulates evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of acne in children.

"For moderate to severe acne, we have to use prescription drugs to control the acne condition," Eichenfield told CBS Boston.

Most of the products available to help with acne in children are prescription off-label (drug use outside the indication), and they have not been tested in patients under 12 years of age. However, Eichenfield said that the drugs could be used by children. Meanwhile, topical drugs and oral retinoid drugs can be prescribed to treat severe acne in children, although these drugs have side effects, such as:

• Photosensitivity
• Tooth staining
• Hyperpigmentation
• A rare reaction such as lupus
• Impaired digestion
• Esophagitis pills (drug-induced esophagitis)

To treat acne in children naturally, follow these tips:

1. Eating carrots

Vegetables that are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene have been linked to acne prevention due to the vitamin A retinoid that is often used in prescription acne medications. Vitamins help to maintain a healthy immune system and keep skin healthy, especially for acne sufferers. Foods rich in beta-carotene can reduce inflammation caused by antioxidants that fight free radicals, according to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM).

2. Consume lots of zinc

According to the UMM, consuming 30 mg of zinc twice a day for one month and 30 mg a day thereafter, can reduce the appearance of acne. Zinc is commonly found in seafood, such as oysters, crab and lobster.

3. Apply lemon juice

The high acid levels in lemons can help fight the bacteria in acne. Apart from treating acne, lemon juice can also treat wounds, blemishes, and even signs of aging.

4. Compress with ice cubes

Using an ice cube to apply to the infected area can reduce inflammation caused by the cold contrast on your skin. The compress should take no more than 5 minutes.

5. Change pillowcases

Just changing your pillowcase every two or three days can improve your overall skin. The pillow absorbs natural facial oils, which can stick back to your skin every time you sleep on it, thereby increasing the growth of bacteria on your skin.