toddler acne - any advice for dealing with it?

[helen1374]

Hi

My youngest is 17 months and has an acne like rash on his cheeks. It started about 4 months ago (he got really hot one day, I think, his face flared up with a red rash) and hasn't cleared up at all - it's a mixture of red bumps, whiteheads and the odd blackhead, it's really unpleasant.

We saw our GP and she said it looked unusual, and like blocked pores, but to just leave it and wait for it to clear up.

I'm posting because I'm fed up with it - it looks horrible and I can't help feeling that it shouldn't be there, i.e. there's something I can do that will make it go. Has anyone had a similar problem, or have any advice on dealing with it?

Thanks

Helen

what do you use on his skin?
my 4yr old gets spots sometimes and I find that just washing morning and night using a flannel but just plain water, or some simple soap if he is particularly grubby has helped a lot.

I've been washing with just water and flannel. I haven't tried with soap (my 3 year old gets dry skin so we tend to avoid it) - maybe I'll give that a go for a few days. Do you ever put anything on it? I was wondering about antiseptic cream?

take him to another GP,

my son has similar now and its infected ecezma. he has a prescription only hydrocortisone cream.

no, it tends to be ok as long as I make sure he has a wipe over twice a day.

i've actually been wondering if there is something diet-related though that causes it to flare up. too much dairy or something? but i've not done a food diary or anything to see if there is a correlation yet

Disenchanted, has your son had eczema anywhere else on his body? My DS doesn't have any other sign of it. I think I will go back again if it doesn't clear up.

thisisyesterday - I did also wonder about diet. Which could also relate to the eczema point of course. Don't know if I've got the energy to do a food diary... (I do care really... just been a long day with two grotty kids! )

no, always just on his face,

it flared because of a new suncream

which suncream did you have a problem with? Have you found a good one? I've got to buy some tomorrow, this is a very timely chat!!

disenchanted, try hope's relief cream (google for it)
it's incredible stuff. I was recommended it by several people on another forum whose kids had really bad excema. my friend used it on her little boy and it was like a miracle.
she said it was as effective as the steroid cream, but it's all natural ingredients so much better for them.
it is expensive but well worth it

Go back to see docs.

If acne is confirmed something like Zineryt lotion (antibiotic lotion) should work and is safe in babies/children.

It was solero childrens sensitive

i got this today at my health shop, plus free aftersun with it

thanks, will go and see what I can find tomorrow.

I am going to go back for another opinion though. My doc only works part time so it's easy to see another one without making a big issue out of it!! I'm sure it's not right to just leave it, I'm sure it could easily be cleared up...

thanks all, I really appreciate the help. I'm going to bed now. Is that very sad at 8.45...?!

thanks thisisyest, i will try that,