The Many Faces of Pediatric Acne: A Practical Algorithm for Treatment, Maintenance Therapy, and Skincare Recommendations for Pediatric Acne Patients.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric acne is a common, complex, multifactorial inflammatory skin disease with various expressions in childhood that can be categorized by age, severity, and pubertal status. METHODS: The Faces of Pediatric Acne Project (FoPAP) aims to improve patient outcomes. The FoPAP group developed an algorithm that follows a consensus paper and a clinical case series on pediatric acne by applying the selected literature and drawing from the clinical knowledge and experience of each group member. RESULTS: The algorithm addresses neonatal, infantile, mid-childhood, preadolescent, and adolescent acne and starts with education on acne, general measures for prevention, treatment, maintenance, and ongoing skin care. Evaluation of pediatric acne requires a directed medical history and physical examination. For mid-childhood acne patients, a workup is warranted, and endocrine-associated abnormalities necessitate referral to a pediatric dermatologist. The second section of the algorithm identifies the type of pediatric acne, followed by the third section on acne treatment using a prescription or nonprescription treatment and skincare options. After successfully controlling the disease, maintenance treatment with topical agents and skincare using gentle cleansers and moisturizers containing lipids such as ceramides is important. CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric acne algorithm offers a comprehensive approach to treating and maintaining pediatric acne. In addition, it may support healthcare providers to bring more attention to pediatric acne patients and improve outcomes. Schachner LA, Andriessen A, Latanya Benjamin L, et al. The many faces of pediatric acne: a practical algorithm for treatment, maintenance therapy, and skincare recommendations for pediatric acne patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(6):539-545. doi:10.36849/JDD.7440 .

The Many Faces of Pediatric Acne: How to Tailor Nonprescription Acne Treatment and Skincare Using Cleansers and Moisturizers.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common, complex, multifactorial disorder. Various expressions of acne in childhood can be categorized by age, severity, and pubertal status. OBJECTIVE: To improve pediatric acne patients’ outcomes, various expressions of pediatric acne to educate and tailor nonprescription acne treatment and skincare using cleansers and moisturizers were defined and discussed. METHODS: An expert panel of pediatric dermatologists and dermatologists reviewed and discussed nonprescription acne treatment and skincare literature. The results from the literature searches were used together with the panel’s expert opinion and experience to adopt various expressions of pediatric acne and prevention, treatment, and maintenance of the condition using nonprescription acne treatment and skincare. RESULTS: The panel agreed on sixteen acne patient profiles addressing various age categories of pediatric acne: neonatal acne: birth to ≤ 8 weeks; infantile acne: 8 weeks to ≤1 year; mid-childhood acne: 1 year to <7 years; preadolescent acne: ≥7 to 12 years; adolescent acne: ≥12 to 19 years or after menarche for girls. Nonprescription acne treatment and skincare products containing lipids such as ceramides play an important role in monotherapy, adjunctive, and maintenance treatment; however, their role in pediatric acne is not well defined and requires more studies. CONCLUSION: Pediatric acne deserves more attention from healthcare providers treating children regarding differential diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance using nonprescription acne treatment and skincare. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(6):602-612. doi:10.36849/JDD.6872.