Spotty pre-teen.

[CKelpie]

My DS is 9 and has recently (last few months)started getting really big blackheads on and in the creases of his nose and less noticeable ones on his chin.
He showers daily and I have been labouring the fact that he needs to scrub with soap and water.
They are now turning into big red pustules so I have got him some pore cleansing wipes and a witch hazel stick to put on after washing.

Do you think this is hormones kicking in early or could there be more to it?

What would you do?

....scrubing too much is counter productive- makes the skin think its too dry and produces more grease!!!! witch hazel is good but my kids have had most joy with Tescos clear skin wipes (in blue packet) of all things- cheap and really efective (their friends are converts too) - prob is hormones, but i reckon try the wipes and dont overdo washing, try not make a big deal out of it cos then they will notice it themselves more anyway.... (no i dont work for tescos lol) let me know if you try em

Thanks loulou, I will pipe down about the scrubbing then - it's just he is getting fairly haphazard about washing, he wets the front of his hair and then tries to tell me it's washed.

The pore wipes I got are tescos funnily enough, but in a pink packet - he is looking less inflamed. Will try the blue ones next time.

May well be hormones starting- androgens can play a role in spots as can proprionobacter and genetics- this is a good website www.embarrassingproblems.co.uk/spots_d.htm . Especially the page on myths about spots and acne.

emphasise his winning personality and reassure him that the spots will pass- look at Brad Pitt !

Thanks FreakGeek, I have never even heard of proprionobacter (sounds like something from a sci-fi novel ) but will check out that link now. Ta.