Tx for Pediatric Acne Gets New Guidance

Don’t you know that acne is also present among children and infants? Therefore, the treatment should be well-chosen to fit their delicate skin types. Baby acne is extremely common and customarily starts by about three weeks of age. The bumps occurs and temples.

Although pediatric acne reportedly affects up to 87% of teenagers, a 1994 study found acne in 78% of 365 girls, ages 9 and 10, stated Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, of Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego, and colleagues in Pediatrics online. 

Even babies get acne with 20% of newborns affected, they added."It is essential to have a broad understanding of acne at different ages and to be aware of the differential diagnoses for each age group," the authors stated in an evidence-based evaluation of more than 150 dermatology-related studies.

• In neonates, pustules on the face and upper body represent acne or acne-like conditions, and are best treated with 2% ketoconazole cream. Physicians should consider underlying endocrinologic diseases, tumors, or gonadal/ovarian pathology in the presence of significant acne.

• In infants to 12 months, acne is predominate in boys. Treatment can include topical antimicrobials, topical retinoids, noncycline antibiotics (erythromycin), and, occasionally, isotretinoin. None of these medications are indicated by the FDA for use in this age group, they cautioned.

• In mid-childhood up to 7 years, acne is rare, so an endocrine abnormality should be suspected and investigated. Oral tetracyclines are not an option because of the risk to developing teeth and bones.

• In preadolescence, best defined as up to the age of menarche, acne on the T-zone of the face may be the first sign of puberty. With severe acne, polycystic ovary syndrome or other endocrinologic abnormality should be considered, but pelvic ultrasound is not useful in this diagnosis.

Physicians should treat to reduce sebum (oil), prevent microcomedones (pimples), suppressP acnes (bacteria), and reduce inflammation that causes scarring, the recommendations advised.

The guidelines, endorsed by the the American Academy of Pediatrics, are segmented based on age:

Among over-the-counter remedies, benzoyl peroxide appeared to be "somewhat effective" for mild acne and remained the overall go-to treatment, either alone or combined, Eichenfield and colleagues wrote. Salicylic acid was less so, they stated. 

Too harsh cleaners can aggravate the condition as children strive to scrub away the acne, the authors stated. However, they pointed out that cosmetics and poor hygiene do not contribute to eruptions, and, make-up may increase patient well-being.

Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/38869

Good Bacteria May Offer Hope for Acne Sufferers

It’s our problem having acne. We have tried various treatments  and spent a lot of money just to remove acne, still, it is there! It is a problem of many of us (80% of Americans) especially teenagers. Acne can leave people scarred for life. Never give up! Acne cures could just be around the corner. 

Did you know that acne-causing bacteria live on everyone’s skin?

So, how is it that some complexions are lucky enough to avoid those problematic pimples while others… aren’t?
Well, that same question has helped local experts uncover what could be the secret weapon in the battle against blemishes.

“I am the most self-conscious person about my acne, video blogger Cassandra Bankson.
When 14-year-old video blogger Cassandra Bankson braved her bare face for her YouTube followers, her complexion confession went viral.
“I’m going to show you guys what my face looks like without makeup:  this is my face.”
“This is probably the most nerve-wracking thing that I’ve ever done because it’s my biggest insecurity, said Bankson.

For 19-year-old Jeffrey Shen…
“I didn’t really have high self-esteem,” said Shen.
His condition improved slightly over the years, but the obstacles were more than skin-deep.
“Sometimes I think it could make other people uncomfortable so I hesitate sometimes to join into social events,” said Shen.
No matter how severe or subtle… no matter how young or old… at any stage and any age, acne can be kryptonite for your confidence.
“Acne is most prevalent in teenagers, but still, about 11% of adults have acne,” Huiying Li, Ph.D.

But a dose of derm relief may be on the horizon for zit zappers everywhere thanks to a recent UCLA discovery.
“Bacteria is not necessarily all bad,“ said Li.
For years, the treatment to take down acne was centered on killing *all* bacteria on the skin.
But for the first time, researchers learned there is some bacteria that might actually help protect pores.

“In the people with clear skin we found a 3rd type of strain which are hardly found in any acne patients so we think this one is highly associated with clear skin,” said Li.
Experts now hope increasing the body’s ‘good bacteria’ can have sufferers saying bye-bye to blotches, for good.
“I think it could potentially change maybe the approach of the drugs hopefully so that they work and that’s really exciting,” said Shen.
More targeted research still needs to be done, but the UCLA team is working with companies to potentially develop a pro-biotic cream that could be sold over the counter within three years.

Source: http://ktla.com/2013/05/01/good-bacteria-may-offer-hope-for-acne-sufferers/#ixzz2S1vzGwXZ

Long-term Research Links Dairy and High-Sugar Foods to Acne

Experts have been debating that diet and acne have links with each other. As we know, diet has an effect to person’s complexion. Thus, diet might be one of the effective skin treatments that everyone prefers to apply. Many believe that eating healthy and nutritious food will bring cure to acne. And, some have improved skin conditions. On the other hand, research has shown that eating food with a high glycaemic index and drinking milk can cause acne.

Millions of teenagers - and increasingly adults - are affected by the often painful skin condition which causes the skin to develop unsightly spots on the face, neck, chest and back. Could cutting out milk be the cure for those suffering with acne?

Acne is caused by a combination of the skin producing too much sebum and a build-up of dead skin cells which clog the pores and leads to a localized infection or spot. It is thought that excess sebum production is caused by hormonal fluctuations, which explains why around 80% of teenagers experience bouts of acne throughout adolescence. While there is no danger from the spots themselves, severe acne can scar as well as lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.

Since the late 19th century, research has linked diet to acne, with chocolate, sugar and fat singled out as the main culprits. But studies carried out from the 1960s onwards have disassociated diet from the development of the condition.

Eating high GI foods - foods that are absorbed into the bloodstream quickly - is thought to have a direct effect on the severity of acne because of the hormonal fluctuations that are triggered. High GI foods cause a spike in hormone levels including insulin which is thought to instigate sebum production. A 2007 Australian study showed that young males who were put on a strict low GI diet noticed a significant improvement in the severity of their acne.

Choosing low GI foods

• Only carbohydrates have a GI rating.

• Because low GI foods take longer for the body to break down they help you feel fuller for longer too.

• High GI foods include sugary fizzy drinks, cakes, pastries, chocolate, white bread and potatoes.

• Low GI foods include fruit and vegetables, wholegrain options such as brown pasta, basmati rice, couscous and pulses.

• Not overcooking your pasta and vegetables helps lower the GI.

The authors of the latest overview - published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - say that dermatologists and dieticians should work together to design and conduct quality research to help the millions of acne sufferers.

Source: http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/physiology/Long-term-Research-Links-Dairy-and-High-Sugar-Foods-to-Acne-200252611.html?page=1