Pimples are a
common problem that affects most teenagers at one time or
another. It is caused by oil clogging the pores in your skin.
The buildup of more oil and bacteria can then cause your skin to
become red and inflamed. It commonly begins during puberty,
because this is a time when many hormones increase and it is
these hormones that cause your skin to produce more oil.
Pimples are not caused by the foods that you eat (such as
chocolate, soft drinks or greasy foods) or by dirt (blackheads
are caused by a pigment, not dirt), and you can't catch it from
someone else. It can be made worse by pinching pimples, harsh
scrubbing which irritates the skin, certain cosmetics which can
further block oil ducts, and emotional stress.
Acne can also be commonly found in young infants in the first
one to two months of life. This form of acne, called neonatal
acne, is thought to be caused by a temporary increase in hormone
levels just before and after birth. Neonatal acne usually goes
away on its own without treatment. Infantile acne occurs in
older infants after the firs two to three months of life and may
last until they are 2-3 years old. Drug induced acne occurs in children taking certain medications,
including oral and topical
steroids, methotrexate and some anti-seizure medications.
The two main types of acne are comedonal acne, consisting of
whiteheads and blackheads, and inflammatory acne, with red and
sometimes tender papules, pustules and cysts. Also, many
children have a combination of both comedonal and inflammatory
acne.
Pimples usually improve by the time you are twenty - twenty five
years old, but can be brought under control sooner with the
proper treatments.
