A. Unfortunately, pimples are almost an adolescent rite of passage. Nearly all kids will get at least a few and adults often get them, too.  Pimples (and other types of acne) are caused by revved up hormones, which produce more oil in the skin and clog pores. Pimples are not caused by eating greasy pizza or chocolate.

Do the following to keep acne in check:

• Wash the face twice a day.
• Wash the hair regularly.
• Keep hair off the face.
• Use only oil-free skincare products.
• Use an over-the-counter acne treatment.
• See a dermatologist if the acne does not respond to over-the-counter treatments.

Adults can get acne too and generally, the same hygiene plan and treatment applies, although adult acne is a bit more stubborn and might require some extra help. Learn More.

Vascular birthmarks:

• Include macular stains, hemangiomas and port-wine stains.
• Are caused by an increased number of blood vessels in the skin.



Pigmented birthmarks:

• Include moles, café-au-lait spots and Mongolian spots.
• Are caused by excess pigment cells.

Birthmarks are rarely dangerous, but people often want them removed for cosmetic reasons. It is possible to diminish some birthmarks through treatment. Learn More.

• Trouble breathing
• Red bumps in places where there was no sting
• A bite that becomes redder or more swollen over time
• A headache or dizzy feeling
• Coughing or choking
• Vomiting or nausea

The best thing to do is try to avoid bites and stings. Learn More.

A. Skin that is itchy and develops a rash might be a condition called eczema, which is very common, especially in children. The same gene is responsible for eczema, asthma and hay fever. There are two common types of eczema:

Atopic dermatitis:

• Is usually the culprit if the itching comes first, followed by a rash.
• Can come and go.
• May be triggered by one of several things, although it’s often difficult to know what’s causing it.

Contact dermatitis:

• Can happen to anyone when exposed to something to which the person is allergic.
• Is often caused by one of several common triggers.

There also are some other types of eczema, which tend to affect adults more than kids. Learn More.

A. Rosacea is a common condition among adults ages 30 to 50 that has no known cause and is typically confused with other skin conditions because it has so many different symptoms.  There are four main categories of rosacea signs and symptoms, including:

• Redness, flushing and visible blood vessels
• Bumps and pimples
• Thickening skin and an enlarged, red nose
• Eye problems

Rosacea is best treated by a dermatologist. Learn More.

A. There are a number of kinds of psoriasis, the most common of which is plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis:

• Is a common condition in adults.
• Causes itchy, reddish patches on the skin.
• Often gets worse with age.
• Is not contagious.
• Can be treated – see a dermatologist who can suggest the best treatment.

Learn More.

A. Yes, overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and indoor tanning equipment can increase the risk of skin cancer. A tan is the skin's response to injury caused by UV exposure.To protect your skin and your child’s skin from sun damage, Be Sun Smart^® by:

• Generously applying sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to all exposed skin.
• Wearing protective clothing.
• Seeking shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Using extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun.
• Getting vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
• Avoiding tanning beds, which emit ultraviolet light.
• Checking your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

Learn More.

A. Just as you are getting older, so is your skin. As it ages, skin:

• Gets drier.
• Develops fine wrinkles.
• Starts sagging away from the bone.

These things are natural.  But you can speed up skin’s aging process by exposing it to the sun, causing “age” spots, deeper wrinkles and other spots. You can prevent further damage by taking care of your skin from now on, including protecting it from the sun. Learn More.

• They are somewhat permanent.
• Removal is difficult, expensive, painful and doesn’t work very well.
• They can lead to an infection and scarring.
• The dye can cause an allergic reaction, which can lead to blistering and possibly scarring.

There are other dangers and concerns regarding tattooing and piercing. Learn More.

A. Plantar warts are a common type of wart that:

• Are flat bumps that usually appear on the bottom of the feet.
• Often appear in bunches.
• Are very contagious (wear shoes or flip flops at the pool or in the locker room to try to prevent getting them).
• Are difficult to remove. Home and over-the-counter treatments can take weeks and might not work. A dermatologist can help.

Learn More.

• At least once or twice a week.
• After playing a sport or running around outside.

Kids in puberty typically need to:

• Bathe every other day, sometimes more depending on their activity level.
• Wash their faces every day, especially if they have pimples.

Usually it doesn’t hurt for young children to bathe daily, unless they have very dry skin. Learn More.

A. While many people tend to think of hair loss as only happening to aging men, it can happen to anyone, including women and children. The most common cause of hair loss in kids is alopecia areata, which: 

• Is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles.
• Usually doesn’t indicate serious disease.
• Can range from bald patches to total loss of hair all over the body.

For this type of hair loss as well as others, see a dermatologist. Learn More.

A. Head lice can’t fly or jump so there’s no reason to keep kids home from school. If lice are going around school:

• Tell your child to avoid head-to-head contact, and sharing hats, scarves, combs or brushes.
• Check your child’s hair for tiny things that look like seeds (the eggs, or nits), attached to the hair near the scalp.

Lice aren’t dangerous, unless someone who is infected scratches hard, causing an infection. Learn More.

A. There is no right age to allow a child to have a manicure or pedicure.  It’s up to the parents to decide.  When it comes to children getting manicures and pedicures, you should know:

• Lots of kids get them.
• If precautions are taken, these services should be safe.
• It’s a good idea to find out more about what is involved, and how to make it the safest experience.

Learn More.

A. Ingrown toenails are caused when nails curve down and grow into the skin, instead of straight out, making the skin red and sore. They are more common in adults than children.

To treat an ingrown toenail:

• Clean it and soak it in warm salt water twice a day
• See a dermatologist if that doesn’t work.

To prevent ingrown toenails:

• Wear shoes that aren’t too tight.
• Cut your toenails straight across.

Learn More.