The most common skin problems in adolescence

Adolescence is a stage of life that brings about changes both physically and psychologically. On a physical level, hormonal changes occur and secondary sexual traits appear. These hormonal changes can generate skin problems such as:

Stretch marks

Stretch marks are produced by the breakage of elastic fibers. When they appear they have a reddish-purple color, and can itch, and over time they become pearly white.

They can appear due to hormonal changes and also favored by a sudden change in weight. Women are more prone to get them and they are usually located on the external side of the hips and thighs and chest. In the case of men, they may appear on the back, middle or lower back.

The treatments to follow depend on the stage of the stretch mark.

  • When they are recent and purple they can be treated with pulsed dye laser or neodymium yag laser to reduce the color.
  • When they are older and whitish, fractionated Co2 laser is used. This achieves an aesthetic improvement of the stretch marks.

To avoid them, the skin should be well moisturized with anti-stretch marks cream and avoid sudden changes in weight.

Acne

Several factors are described in the pathophysiology of acne:

  • Increased follicular keratinization.
  • Increased sebum production due to androgens.
  • Overgrowth of Cutibacterim acnes (C. acnes)
  • Secondary inflammation and alteration of innate immunity.

The treatment of acne is aimed at combating all etiological factors and its various lesions:

  • Comedones
  • Inflammatory papules
  • Pustules
  • Inflammatory nodules

Depending on the degree of acne, one treatment or another should be indicated:

  • In more moderate cases of acne, daily cleansing for excess sebum and application of a local topical treatment is advised. Some of the topical treatments are keratolytic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic.

Topical retinoids have a keratolytic effect and an anti-inflammatory role by modulating the production of inflammatory molecules. Benzoyl peroxide acts against C.acnes due to its oxidative effect and also has keratolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially useful in combination with retinoids or topical antibiotics, hindering the appearance of these resistances.

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Topical treatments should be applied correctly and always under medical supervision to minimize side effects, which are usually local irritation.

  • When the lesions are more papulo-pustular, the use of oral antibiotics is recommended, accompanied by the hygiene and topical treatment described above.

The next step in the treatment of acne is the use of oral isotretinoin. It should be indicated when the acne is inflammatory and especially when there is a risk of scarring. Oral isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative, which produces a decrease in the secretion of the sebaceous glands, in addition to a normalization of the innate immune response provoked by C.acnes and reduction of the inflammatory response.

Viral warts

Viral warts are one of the most common dermatological infections in children and adolescents.

They are caused by infection of the skin by certain types of HPV, depending on their location the types of warts are different. As they are caused by a virus, they are contagious, and hygienic measures must be taken to avoid contagion, which is by direct contact. It is a widespread virus, but there is a personal predisposition. It is more frequent in patients with atopic dermatitis, among other pathologies.

There is no single treatment of choice. Treatments are basically irritative, trying to eliminate lesions with minimum pain and side effects such as blisters, wounds and scars.

The methods most commonly used by specialists in dermatology are the application of cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen. In many occasions accompanied by the application at home of different products such as salicylic acid alone or with lactic acid locally.

It is necessary to be constant and have patience because the treatments are sometimes long and require discipline in their application and are sometimes uncomfortable for the patient.