BABY AND CHILDHOOD SKIN DISORDERS: ACNE
This skin disorder is more likely in older children and adolescents than young children, infants or babies. It is a disorder of the sebaceous glands, the tiny fat-producing factories just beneath the skin, and which are often connected to a hair shaft.
As the child becomes older and hormones commence circulating in the blood, the sebaceous glands often become overactive and produce excessive amounts of fat, or sebum. Often this jams up the canal leading to the skin surface, so a little pimple or whitehead is born. The top of this, being in contact with the air, oxidizes and turns black, becoming a blackhead. If fat production continues, it may become larger; and sometimes a cyst forms, a larger fat-filled lump. These are commonest where the glands are most prolific, usually on the face, neck, shoulders and upper part of the back. In larger pimples and cysts, when the material is finally evacuated it may leave a depression or scar which may be lifelong.
Treatment
Gentle but firm washing of the skin twice a day using hot. water, soap and a rough flannel is a good start. The young person can be taught how to do this. Blackheads should not be squeezed, or this may spread infection if present. A small instrument called a comedone (blackhead) extractor may be used—this exerts even pressure and allows the blackhead to pop its contents into the instrument.
Many different forms of medication have been used. Tetracyclines are currently in favour, but they are not for young children (though this is seldom necessary, for an older age group is usually involved). Other antibiotics are also used orally, and may have to be continued for many months. Oral effervescing zinc tablets are often effective, especially if antibiotics fail, but this treatment must also be continued for months. In recent times cis-retinoic acid has been used, but this is not yet available universally.
Many local applications have been used with varying degrees of success. An old-timer that is still effective involves a vile-smelling product called precipitated sulphur, in a fluid base, applied at bedtime and removed next morning before the patient ventures out into the civilized world. It smells a bit like the rotten egg gas that school lads still make. But many other, less-offensive applications are also available, many having a salicylic acid base. In severe cases, doctors often prescribe lotions that include a corticosteroid ingredient, for this reduces inflammation, and the other ingredients remove superficial cells from the affected part.
Plenty of sunshine is often very effective, for the ultra-violet light is beneficial in enhancing skin health and vitality. Vitamin A was once given orally, but this has generally fallen from favour. Instead, a vitamin A related product, retinoic acid liquid, is often used and has had some success when applied locally.
General common sense in items related to health are worthwhile. Ideally, parents will encourage their children from an early age to keep fit and well. A good diet, and general good health, play an important part, many doctors believe, in promoting clear, healthy skin and avoiding acne. The starting point is to avoid products containing sugar and refined flour. These include many items, such as sweets, cakes, biscuits, aerated beverages, potato chips, and so on. The list is a long one. But it is not hard to become attuned to this diet regimen with a bit of care. Incidentally, chocolate is still on the no-no list, for chocolate and cocoa appear to aggravate the pimples.
It is often worse in older girls who have started menstruating, just before their periods start. A hormone in the body called progesterone (the level is highest just before a period) is believed responsible.
*120\87\2*
General Health
- The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
- Read the product information leaflet provided with the product before using it.
Information that this website contains are general information only and are not intended as a replacement for advise and recommendations made by your medical practitioner. We do not make any warranty or represent the accuracy of information supplied herein. We reserve the right to omit portions, correct errors or withdraw an entire page on this website as we see fit without prior notice.
Information about a certain drug, its uses, recommended dosages and side effects do not serve as a substitute to a prescription or information relayed to you by a licensed medical practitioner. These materials are just a general overview about the product. Likewise, we do not endorse use of any drug found on this site.
Use of this site is at your sole risk. We disclaim responsibility for reliance you place upon the information that we posted on this site. Always seek medical advice from a professional healthcare and discuss thoroughly your intention of using any of the medicine that is offered in this website.
|
