What agents to start? Acne has long been viewed as a teen phenomenon, but we are seeing this earlier and earlier.  This may be due to a trend toward earlier onset of puberty, but regardless, as a clinician I see this in my office frequently.

A few questions to ask of your provider is which over-the-counter creams should be used.  Does my child need prescription medication?  Are antibiotics a safe additional medicine to use.  Typical preadolescent acne involves whiteheads and blackheads in the forehead, nose and chin region.  Scarring is rare, although often is a concern for the parents and patient.

The patient should be started first on over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide.  Washing the face twice a day with a nonabrasive pH-balanced cleanser is the cornerstone of acne care.  Close follow up with your physician is needed so that if oral antibiotics or an antibiotic gel are needed that this can be added on.

Hope this helps.

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