The Most Effective Kids Acne Treatments

Acne can come to us at any age. It can come to infants as young as one to two months old, and this is known as neonatal acne, which will mean as the parent, you will have to look into kids' acne treatments. This type of acne is believed to occur as a reaction to a temporary increase in hormone levels. Neonatal acne normally dissipates over time without the need for remedial treatment.

Another type of acne that can occur in infants is called infantile acne, which typically occurs between the ages of two months to three years old. This type of acne shouldn't be ignored. If it persists for more than a couple of weeks, your child should be examined by the pediatrician. Causes of this type of acne can include genetics, early hormone production, growth and developmental abnormalities, and drug-induced acne.

Caring for Children's Acne

Children's acne, including infantile and juvenile acne, is generally treated in the same manner as acne occurring in teenagers and adults. Remedial treatment may be needed for the entire duration that the acne persists.

Initial treatment normally requires cleansing the affected area of skin gently, followed by the use of a topical cream as kids' acne treatments. When washing the affected area, it is important not to scrub and cause further irritation to the skin. Gentle cleansing should be done twice daily using a mild soap or a product that the pediatrician recommends.

Refrain from popping, squeezing or pinching any of the pimples, as this can lead to permanent scarring, and is not one of the good kids' acne treatments. If your infant or child continues to try to pop or scratch the pimples, try placing mittens on their hands just before bedtime.

Try to avoid hats and headbands that lay across your child's forehead, because this can make the acne worse. Oils trapped in the bands of hats and headbands will only worsen the matter.

Treatment for Children's Acne

If recommended by your child's pediatrician, try using topical kids' acne treatments. These medications help kill bacteria, unplug oil ducts and pores, and heal pimples. Stick to the instructions your pediatrician has given you for use on your child, as this may vary by age and severity. Topical treatments are available in several different strengths and forms including creams, washes, and cleansers. If your pediatrician isn't comfortable with treating acne by topical agents, ask for other suggestions or for a referral to a pediatric dermatologist for further help and instruction.

In rare and severe cases, oral or topical antibiotics are prescribed by the child's pediatrician or dermatologist. These kids' acne treatments are usually temporary to rid the skin of the infection. Once the infection is gone, other treatments are usually recommended to keep the acne at bay.

Important Reminders

Remember to be patient while using different topical treatments. Often times, the affected area seems to get worse prior to it improving. Noticeable improvement may take three to six weeks to occur, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't improve quickly.

Also, remember that more isn't necessarily better! Don't over scrub or over treat the infection. This will likely irritate the affected area and make the situation worse. Many of these products can harshly dry out the skin, so using them improperly could lead to scarring. While using topical kids' acne treatments, take extra care to protect your child's skin from the sun, as the medication can make the skin more susceptible to sun damage.

Lisa An Freeman is committed to helping people promote and protect their health. She likes to provide important information on a wide range of health and lifestyle topics, which can help you reach a logical and realistic decision on your health and lifestyle choices for many different problems.

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