Dr Bernadette Carr: Dealing with acne in teenage years

My 16-year-old daughter has a couple of small patches of acne on her face. This has just happened recently and she is very self-conscious and embarrassed. Should she try some over-the-counter preparations?

Most teenagers suffer from acne at some stage and it is very common. Acne develops when the small sebaceous glands in the skin which make the oil sebum start to produce more oil and these glands get blocked.

Some may be inflamed and bleed. This happens as a result of changes in hormone levels at puberty.

For most people acne is mild, however sometimes it can be quite severe and may need treatment to prevent scarring.

Even mild acne can be very distressing and teenagers can be very sensitive about it. Happily there is a wide range of treatments available to control acne and the good news is that most people will grow out of it completely.

I think you should bring your daughter to your GP who can examine her, assess how bad the acne is, and discuss what is the most appropriate type of treatment. In the meantime there are a number of simple options that she can try:

• Wash her face gently twice a day with a mild soap (not a facial scrub) and lukewarm water.
• Avoid picking or squeezing any spots as this can make them more inflamed and more likely to scar.
• Avoid using oil- based creams / products on her face (including make-up) as they may clog pores.

You could check the ingredients list on any products, including sun blocks, that she is using on her face. If she has long hair or a fringe, keep it clean so it does not get greasy and keep it off her face.

Ointments containing benzoyl peroxide are available from the pharmacy. They can be quite effective for mild acne; however they may irritate the skin.

If this happens stop using it until the irritation goes, then try using it for a shorter time. It is important to reassure your daughter most teenagers develop acne and it almost always resolves itself.

I have developed a couple of small rough lumps on the sole of my foot, could it be a verruca?

It is possible the lumps you have noticed on your feet are verrucas.

They may be single or multiple and only painful due to pressure on the nerves. Although they are unsightly, verrucas are usually harmless and only painful sometimes.

They are small rough patches of skin that are caused by a virus (human papilloma virus) which causes a reaction in the skin. It is usually transmitted by direct skin-to- skin contact and damaged or wet skin increases the risk of infection.

Verrucas are warts on the soles of the feet. While most people will have warts at some point in their life, they are more common in children and teenagers.

The majority of warts will clear on their own without any treatment as the immune system learns to fight the virus.

The length of time this takes will vary from person to person. Some are resistant to treatment.

Treatments for verrucas depend on irritating the infected skin so that the immune system concentrates on the wart virus; cryotherapy (freezing the wart) can be painful, while chemical paints often take up to six months to work. Unless they are causing a problem, it may be best to leave them alone.

If the lumps are painful, spread, or bleed I would advise you to make an appointment with your GP, who can examine your feet and make a diagnosis. Your GP will also be able to advise on the most appropriate treatment.

Verrucas are contagious, although most adults have developed immunity to them.

Here are some general suggestions to consider:

• Do not scratch the lumps.
• Try not to knock them against any hard surfaces.
• Don’t share bath towels.
• If you go swimming, cover the warts with some waterproof adhesive plaster and wear flip-flops in communal changing rooms.
• Change your tights or socks every day.