Puberty (4 page)

“Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 million to 50 million Americans … By mid-teens, more than 40 percent of adolescents have acne or acne scarring, which requires treatment by a dermatologist.”

American Academy of Dermatology

PROBLEM SKIN: ACNE

What is acne?

We all have thousands of microscopic
bacteria
living on our skin and in our hair. The bacteria feed on the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. As they feed, bacteria thicken the sebum. If too much is being produced, it can begin to block the skin pores causing whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and
cysts
. Acne occurs when these blocked pores become infected and inflamed. It can occur on the face, neck, back, and sometimes the chest.

Genes
(as they affect the skin type you inherit from your parents), stress and, for girls, the time around their monthly period, can all contribute to acne outbreaks.

HEALTH WARNING

When pimples appear, it can be tempting to squeeze them, especially if there is a “head” and you can see fatty matter inside. But this can cause a pimple to become infected with bacteria from the skin, fingers, or nails, leading to more inflammation and scarring.

Acne flare-ups can affect large areas of skin on the neck and back.

Medication can sometimes help to control severe acne.

Not just physical

Acne pimples can become so inflamed that they can lead to permanent scarring. They can also feel sore and tender to touch. Acne is not just a physical problem; it can lead to low self-esteem (see page
42
), lack of social confidence and can even affect everyday life, for example, stifling a social life or causing truancy from school.

Treatments

Keep bacteria at bay by gentle washing of your skin. There are over-the-counter products (facial washes, creams, and gels) which may help. However, if these do not work after six to eight weeks of use, it is worth consulting a doctor. Doctors can prescribe medications in cream or tablet form that work either by reducing the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands or by controlling the bacteria on the skin that can lead to acne. It can be a few weeks before you see the results. For severe cases, doctors may refer patients for laser therapy or
dermabrasion,
which can help reduce scarring.

SWEATING: WHY IS IT SUDDENLY A PROBLEM?

What is sweat?

Sweat is made mostly from water and salts and is our body’s way of cooling us down. Sweat glands in the skin produce a watery fluid that has a cooling effect as it evaporates on our skin. One kind of sweat gland, the eccrine glands, are found all over the body, but in puberty another kind of sweat gland starts working.

A new kind of sweat

As we reach puberty, the aprocrine glands begin producing a different kind of sweat that contains oils. These glands are especially concentrated around the
groin
area, under the arms and on our feet. They produce sweat at the same time as the eccrine glands—for example when you get hot because of warm weather or when you have been rushing around or exercising, and also when you become stressed.

Why does it smell?

Sweat only begins to smell and cause the unpleasant odors we call body odor (B.O.) when the bacteria living on our skin and clothes begin to break it down to produce the fatty acids they feed on. We tend to get more of these bacteria on and around the groin, armpits, and feet as they produce most of the oily kind of sweat. If not kept under control by washing and changing our clothes, the bacteria have time to grow and multiply as they feed, making the smell get stronger (as with athletic shoes worn day after day).

Do I smell?

Dear Agony Aunt,
I sweat so much that sometimes I feel too embarrassed to take my jacket off because of the sweat patches under my arms. I am also really worried that I might smell because of it. What can I do?
Sam, 14

Dear Sam
,
Lots of teenagers suffer from sweat and body odor problems, so you’re not alone. There are some things that you can do to try to reduce the amount that you sweat. Make sure you have a bath or shower once a day. Try applying an antiperspirant deodorant after a shower and take it with you to school, in case you need to apply some more throughout the day. You could also carry some wet wipes in your bag, so that you can have a quick wash at lunchtime, before applying more antiperspirant. To avoid odor, remember to change your underwear and socks every day, and your clothes before they start to smell. Don’t wear the same shoes every day. Finally, avoid eating too many strong-flavored foods (onions, garlic, spicy foods) as they can make sweat smell more
.

Keep it in check

Daily showering, focusing particularly on the armpits, face, feet, and
genitals
, will help to stop sweat becoming stale and smelly. Once puberty starts, most young people choose to start using an underarm deodorant or antiperspirant. These come in many forms (as sticks, roll-ons, and sprays).

HOW DO DEODORANTS WORK?

Deodorants contain fragrances to mask bad smells and ingredients such as alcohol and antimicrobials to kill bacteria. Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts that dissolve in sweat. They then coat the skin in a fine gel that covers the sweat glands and reduces the amount of sweat they produce.

Underarm deodorants or antiperspirants should be part of a daily hygiene routine.

5 Emotions

Mood swings

The hormones that become active during puberty don’t just cause physical changes. They also affect the way you feel. It is normal to have frequent mood swings during puberty. This is due to a temporary imbalance in hormone levels, and it will settle down. However, it is important to remember that your feelings are no less valid, or real, for being caused by hormones.

Cooling-off time can help you calm down and avoid arguments.

Coping with feelings

Hormonal swings mean you can feel irritable and angry one minute and be laughing and happy the next. You can also seesaw between bursts of energy and feeling really tired and sleepy. This can be the result of all the growing you are doing, along with other physical changes your body is going through. Sudden changes in energy levels can affect your mood, too.

Relaxation

Eating healthily and getting plenty of exercise and sleep during puberty, can all help to counter mood swings. You can also practice relaxation techniques such as counting to ten or taking slow, deep breaths when you feel anger building up. Keeping active and doing a hobby you love are effective ways of lifting your mood.

BRAIN CHANGES

It is not only hormones in puberty that cause mood swings. The brain is changing and growing just as the body is. Scientists believe that the last part of the brain to mature is the frontal lobe, the part responsible for self-control, judgment, and decision making. This makes teens more likely to behave in an impulsive or even reckless way and to have less control over powerful feelings. During puberty, you can feel emotions very intensely, whether it be anger, love, or sadness.

How can I control my anger?

Dear Agony Aunt,
I seem to fight all the time with my mom. It’s over the most stupid things, like whether I’ve remembered to put my dirty washing in the basket. It drives me mad. I end up shouting awful things and then feeling bad about it. I can’t seem to stop myself!
Katy, 13
Dear Katy
,
I’m sorry to hear you are arguing lots with your mom. Most teenagers experience this, but there are some small things you can do to try to change things. When you feel yourself about to snap, force yourself to take some deep breaths before you speak. Try not to shout or scream and try to make “I” rather than “you” statements. Say “I am always being told off,” rather than “You always tell me off.” You could also try to write things down in a diary, instead of having an argument. Go to your room and write it all down. This will help you calm down, and you’ll be able to reflect on your feelings afterward. Finally, remember that your mom is probably only trying to help and may be a little stressed herself. For example, she may be fussing about the washing because she is feeling stressed about keeping the house running smoothly
.

Sexual awareness

Puberty prepares your body for having sex and reproducing. When your body begins producing sex hormones during puberty, it is natural to start having sexual thoughts and feelings.

WHAT IS SEX DRIVE?

Sex drive—the desire to have sex—is produced by the sex hormone testosterone. In females, sex drive is created by small amounts of testosterone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Rising levels of testosterone in puberty make boys more competitive and aggressive, as well as creating the libido or desire for sex.

Arousal

You may have sexual thoughts toward or about others. You may think about them almost constantly and have fantasies where you imagine being with them. As well as sexual thoughts, you may begin to feel physically aroused when you look at sexy images or when you are close to people who attract you. Arousal in boys can result in erections. Girls may experience symptoms of arousal such as an increased heart rate, blushing, and increased wetness in the vagina.