Acne Management Specialist

What is acne management?

Acne management diagnoses, treats, and prevents acne –– a common skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles are blocked with oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. Acne can affect anyone, but it’s especially common in children and teens because their bodies are still growing, and their hormones are fluctuating. 

Acne isn’t necessarily a serious health problem, but it can affect your child’s confidence and self-esteem. Acne management provides a safe and effective way to minimize the appearance of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, ensuring your child feels their best. 

What are the symptoms of acne?

Symptoms of acne include:

• Large painful lumps under the skin
• Clogged pores 
• Small red bumps that are sensitive to touch
• Pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)

Acne can occur anywhere on the body, but it’s especially common on the face, neck, shoulders, and chest.

When should I see a pediatrician for acne management?

Make an appointment for your child at Newton Pediatrics if they regularly experience acne and it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter lotions, soaps, or ointments. That’s especially true if your child’s acne is painful and irritating or it negatively affects their confidence or willingness to spend time with friends and peers.

There are a variety of prescription-strength ointments, lotions, and oral drugs that can reduce acne breakouts and improve the health and condition of your child’s skin.

What does acne management involve?

At Newton Pediatrics, acne management begins with a review of your child’s medical history and a discussion of their symptoms, including when the acne first started, its severity, and if it's worse at certain times of the month, like during your child’s menstrual cycle.

Next, your child’s pediatrician examines their skin, carefully assessing each pimple, blackhead, and pustule. If your child’s provider suspects another issue is to blame, like psoriasis or eczema, they might take a skin biopsy and send it to a lab for further analysis.

After determining the type of acne your child experiences (and the severity of their symptoms), their Newton Pediatrics provider develops a custom care plan.

What are some examples of acne management?

At Newton Pediatrics, acne management typically involves a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medication. For example, your child might benefit from eating a healthy balanced diet that’s low in salts, sugars, and saturated fats.

Some of the most common medicines that Newton Pediatrics uses to treat acne include:

• Retinoids and retinoid-like drugs
• Antibiotics
• Salicylic acid
• Combined oral contraceptives
• Anti-androgen agents

Ultimately, the goal of acne management is to reduce flare-ups and restore your child’s skin to a healthy blemish-free condition.

To explore the benefits of acne management, make an appointment at Newton Pediatrics by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.