zits How old was your DD/DS when they start to get them?

[schroeder]

My DS is 11 and has started to get a few little spots on his chin and nose. I bought him some tea tree scrub and and spot gel which he is using(maybe a bit too enthusiastically)

Does this seem young? I really can't remember, poor thing he's really upset about it I haven't the heart to tell him it's only going to get worse.

[BrigitBigKnickers]

My DD is 11 and has been getting a few pimples/ blackheads on her nose for the last year. She has just started using a clearasil facial wash and the spot cream too. She has been using it twice a day for the last week and it's really helped.

[SuzieHomemaker]

My DS also started in the last year. He is 11. Unfortunately there is a strong history of acne in the family so this is only going to get worse.

It is worth looking up about the subject if it is a problem. Not all scrubs are good as they can be too astringent and encourage more sebum which is the big culprit.

Diet doesnt actually make any real difference so long as it is basically healthy. Oily food only encourages spots if it is actually rubbed into the skin!

Get yourself and your DS informed on what is and isnt good for this. From time to time DS' big sister has to use antibiotic cream if an outbreak is very bad.

[LimaCharlie]

Yes another with an 11 yo who's started sprouting the odd one on his nose

[CheapHawaiian]

Yes, my 11 yo got his first a couple of weeks ago. His BF is quite spotty too.

[schroeder]

Thanks for that I can now tell him with confidence he won't be the only one at secondary school with a few spots.
At his primary school he was the second oldest boy and the tallest(I'm only 5ft tall!) I think it will do him good in September to be able to compare himself with a wider range of boys.

[deaddei]

DD is 13 and has erupted in pimples.
It's coincided with her periods.
She's using a Simple antibacterial wash, and she's had a facial to help with the blackheads (at a reputable place, using Dermalogica)
Doesn't help with all the bloody hair everywhere.

[sue52]

DD was 13. She has been taking antibiotics which have helped though it took a while to see results.

[whiteflame]

it really annoys me when GPs don't take acne seriously. i went to my GP aged 11 with spots, and he patronizingly told me that everyone my age gets them and it's normal. He would've soon changed his tune if it was him with them - they are bloody sore for one thing. and they DO affect your confidence all round.

oh dear that turned into a bit of a rant. my point is though that my mum didn't give up, and took me to various doctors until we found one that would help. and i'm so, so glad she did. so fight for it if you can

i had a few different treatments. i think there was a topical antibiotic starting with the letter s, and later on roaccutane (once it got really bad). also i found that drinking lots of water helped.

[sue52]

Marz DD is taking Oxytetracycline twice daily. She used a topical antibiotic before that but it had no effect. The GP also prescribed retin A but it made made DDs skin very dry and sensitive. Do push your GP spots have such an effect on children's confidence.

[sue52]

sorry maryz not Marz.

[Tiggamog]

My DS is 10 and has started with pimples on his nose, and seems to be getting lots of blackheads.

He is ASD and is not so great at hygiene which doesn't help, but we've been using tea tree nasal strips (once a week) after a bath, then putting a bit of tea tree oil on a cotton bud and wiping it over his nose and this seems to be working quite well, his skin is definitely looking clearer (can get both from Superdrug).

Only thing I would say is the oil is quite strong, so you only need a tiny bit.

[whiteflame]

hi maryz, i remembered the name of the topical antibiotic, it was stiemycin. and i also had a cream/gel for a while called duac that was quite good (both prescription).

[ragged]

I was 9yo when I got my first, same for DS1 (he is coming up to 11 now, and hasn't had any more, though).
DD (8yo) has a suspicious spot on her nose that won't quite go away.
I come from a very spotty family!

[bullethead]

My son is 14 and has spots around his mouth, nose and hairline. He is definitely feeling self-conscious about it but is lazy about washing at night, so what I do, is once he's in bed, I take a cotton wool pad into him that's been heavily doused in TCP and he wipes it all over his spots. It's drying them up a bit, and he can see the difference with minimal effort from himself. Hopefully now he'll be more motivated to continue the routine.

I would NEVER recommend it to deal with acne which is obviously much more serious and a different condition to a few spots that teenagers normally get. Also it is quite strong stuff but it suits son's skin as it isn't too sensitive.

[purplepetunia]

Have you tried Quinoderm a cream which has a peeling agent in it? I had spots all over my forhead and chest area at 13. A doctor perscribed it for me and it cleared them up a treat. Also you were right about the sunlight- UVA light does help.

[bellavita]

DS1 was 12. He is now 13. He gets a few little spots just in between his eyebrows and has a few blackheads on his chin. I have bought him some facial scrub. Funnily enough, on holiday - being out in the sun all day, cleared them up.

[summer111]

My dd began getting quite spotty (pustules etc) across her forefead and temples about a year ago, aged 12. We tried some of the branded facial washes/scrubs to not much effect. I did some research on the internet and found a topical cream recommended that can be bought for a few pounds in Boots - brand name Panoxyl Aquagel 2.5% which contains a dilute dose of benzoyl peroxide.

It has worked brilliantly by drying out the skin. It does initially have a slght peeling effect on the affected area as the skin dries out and needs to be used sparingly. I made sure that dd moisturised every morning and night with a non perfumed moisturiser. She also took a little travel bottle of moisturiser to school to apply if her skin felt dry. The gel is applied to the whole area rather than onto individual spots. We noticed an improvement literally within a couple of days and her skin was totally clear after a month or so. A year on, her skin remains spot free - she continues to use the cream if and when necessary. I'm so pleased that we did not end up going down the antibiotic route which was to be my next plan of action.