Skin Troubles during Adolescence

Skin Troubles during Adolescence

Adolescents are very likely to develop acne and other skin problems. Be sure to read the section on acne. Always consult a doctor if an adolescent suffers from severe acne. It is important to make every effort to bring severe acne under control before it leaves lasting effects. Frequent boils may be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes not infrequently occurs during the teen years as well as earlier and later in life. Recurrent boils, or a carbuncle, are sufficient reason to consult a physician. Freckles can be a source of concern for young people. There is no way you can remove them safely at home. But they can be prevented from getting worse through reduced exposure to the sun or use of protective ointments or lotions. Mothers can be helpful, when freckles are really unsightly, by providing a disguise in the form of face powder or "Cover- mark." Very disfiguring cases should be referred to a specialist in skin Preventive Medicine for Children / 493 diseases who may try "peeling" treatment.

Make it a point to cheer up a freakier by pointing out the fact that these spots usually fade with the passing years. And, again, don't permit freckles to be made a target for family jokes. Awkwardness Young people often seem unable to handle their rapidly growing bodies gracefully. Their clumsiness is not due to carelessness or willfulness, as some parents believe. Helping young people to understand their problem, instead of complaining about it, prevents them from becoming self-conscious, which only adds to the awkwardness. SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF GIRLS Breasts Some adolescent girls are shy about, or even ashamed of, their breast development. They may even try to walk, shoulders hunched forward, to conceal their bosoms. Mothers should encourage them to be proud of their developing womanhood. They can help, too, by choosing clothes suitable to the girl's new figure, making allowance for the fact that the girl's preferences are important. In addition to emphasizing that breast development is normal at puberty, mothers should explain that, shortly before or during menstruation, some tenderness and swelling are apt to occur and should cause no concern. Body Hair An adolescent girl may develop excess hair over the thighs and legs or under the arms.

Facial hair sometimes becomes disfiguring. Parents should take this seriously, since it can be important to a sensitive young girl. Bleaching is usually enough to keep excess hair from being prominent. If neither this nor shaving seems satisfactory for unsightly facial hair, your daughter may want to have it permanently removed. This can be dangerous if attempted by anyone but an expert. Read our discussion of excess hair on page 166. If an expert is not available or is too expensive, use all your tact to convince your daughter to wait rather than risk infection and scarring.