Your Children and Dermatologists

By Roberta F. Palestine, MD
Dermatology & Clinical Skin Care Center
The Medical News (Montgomery County) – October 2000
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When you think of dermatologists, do you think mostly about beautifying your complexion and getting rid of wrinkles and age spots? That certainly is an important part of dermatology, but is not the whole story of what a dermatologist does. Actually, a dermatologist is the primary care provider for your skin, the family practice doctor for all skin conditions.

I frequently see several generations of the family for various skin problems, and delight in following my patients from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.

Why do children go to a dermatologist?

Warts.

Warts can occur at any age, but are particularly common in children. They are bumps that stick out above the surface of the skin, and can occur anywhere on the skin, Warts are caused by a wart virus, and are contagious — they can spread elsewhere on the person, and can spread to other people.

A related type of condition is called molluscum, which is caused by a slightly different virus. There are many over-the-counter wart remedies, but stubborn or persistent warts can be more effectively treated in the office. There are several treatments for warts and molluscum, depending on the size and location, and also on the age of the child.

Rashes and Eczema.

Itchy, miserable rashes have a variety of causes. Sometimes the tendency toward eczema and sensitive skin runs in families, other times it involves only one person. Some rashes have specific causes that are straight forward, such as poison ivy, and other times we have to search for the cause if it persists. Sometimes the treatment involves prescription creams and internal medicines, along with advice on general skin care.

Acne.

A common myth is that acne is only a teenage condition. While the teenage years are frequently accompanied by acne, it can actually start much younger, and persist long into adulthood. Pimples can start appearing as early as eight years old, and appropriate treatment can help minimize scarring. Discussing proper skincare, including make-up, can often have more significance coming from the dermatologist than from parents.

Moles.

Moles can develop or change in childhood and adolescence, and having them evaluated by a dermatologist can serve as a baseline. Some may need to be removed because they arc changing or irregular or become irritated, while others can be observed, Having moles examined can serve as an excellent opportunity for the dermatologist to educate a young person about the sun. Again, hearing about sun protection from the doctor can have more impact than from the parents, and can reinforce parents’ teachings.

In fact, an early education about the dangers of too much sun exposure can reduce the need to treat the wrinkles and age spots later on.