+ EXPERT ADVICE | Health
5for Skincare Tips
Teens Face back to school head on
with these important skin and
healthy lifestyle tips.
Now is the time of year for
kids to trade pool floats
for pencils and picnics for
packed lunches. It’s also a time when
my practice sees more skin conditions
flare for young people. Here
are some skincare tips for the school
year ahead.
Check Your Products
Do your children have sensitive
skin or a history of eczema? The
dryness and itchiness that this type
of skin irritation brings can be distracting
during the school day. Look
for the word “hypoallergenic” on all
soaps, lotions and detergents that
your kids use. This term means the
product is free of irritating dyes, fragrances
or substances that may cause
an allergic reaction. Sometimes a
stronger medication, such as a topical
34 Central Florida Lifestyle | August 2019
steroid, is needed, and allergy
tests can determine triggers.
When It’s Not Eczema
Other skin conditions can present
with itchy, flaky skin, just like
eczema. If it’s a new rash or sudden
appearance of itching then it’s likely
a condition like contact dermatitis,
a fungal infection or psoriasis. Some
rashes and legions, such as molluscum
and warts, are contagious due
to their viral nature. Schedule an
appointment with a dermatologist
if over-the-counter treatments don’t
clear your child’s rash to prevent
worsening of symptoms.
How to Tame Acne
High school is tough enough
with its self-confidence growing
pains let alone the acne. It’s easy
to be influenced by highly advertised
skincare brands when treating
acne, but there isn’t a one-size-fitsall
remedy. When over-the-counter
treatments aren’t effective, moderate
to severe acne may require prescriptions
from a dermatologist,
such as retinoid cream or an antibiotic
as well as acne treatments to
prevent scarring. Also, use makeup
products that include the term
“noncomedogenic,” which means
it doesn’t clog pores, and adopt a
healthy diet.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Just because summer is coming to
an end that doesn’t mean you should
stop using sunscreen. Continue to apply
sunscreen on your kids, and send
them to school with a cap and a bottle
of sunscreen to use at recess. Look for
labels that read “broad spectrum” and
that is an SPF of 30 or higher.
STI/STDs Affect the Skin
Raising awareness about sexually
transmitted diseases and infections
is important. Symptoms for the majority
of them manifest on the skin.
Did you know that half of all new
STD cases occur in people ages 15
to 24? Also, 14 million people, including
teens, become infected with
human papillomavirus each year.
When given on time, the HPV vaccine
protects against six types of cancers
long before an individual is ever
exposed to the virus.
This school year, keep your
children’s skin healthy and know
that there’s professional advice right
around the corner.
By Dr. Michael Steppie, Associates in Dermatology
Dr. Michael Steppie, a boardcertified
dermatologist and Mohs
micrographic surgeon, is one of
the few elite members of the Skin
Cancer Foundation’s Amonette
Circle. His role as an ardent
supporter of the Central Florida
community goes far beyond the
routine practice of dermatology.