Acne tends to strike the group of people most anxious about their appearance - teenagers. So what should you do to help your child to cope with this difficult condition?

Being a teenager these days is tough enough as it is, with the ever-increasing pressure to grow up fast and beautiful. But for many, it's made even more difficult by an unwelcome breakout of spotty skin. Spots, in all their nasty guises, have popped up since time began, and acne remains the most common skin disease in the world. But for some teens, the emotional agony caused by acne can be unbearable, and parents can have a hard time knowing the best way to bolster their child?s confidence.

What are the causes?
It's important for all concerned to understand exactly why acne strikes. Diet, exercise, dirt and even sex (yes, even that's been blamed) do not cause acne. So banning chips and chocolate, and encouraging frequent washing, will make no difference (although a recent US study has linked high-carbohydrate diets to some forms of acne). It may seem like just part of growing up, but acne should always be taken seriously. Not just because your teen is suffering emotionally, but also because acne can lead to permanent scarring, if it isn't treated in time.

Extensive research shows that the blame lies with a combination of physiological factors. First, the body's male hormones (present in both men and women) over-stimulate the oil-producing glands in the skin. For those affected by the disease, the dead skin cells that sit near the top surface of the skin also slow down their rate of shedding, and clog up the pores, from where the oil normally escapes. This then forms a blockage, and offers the perfect environment for acne bacteria, which normally live on the skin, to multiply. This leads to infection and inflammation - in short, spots. However, if the blockage doesn?t become infected, it remains a solid plug - a blackhead, as we know and love it.

How common is acne?
According to the Acne Support Group, over 85 per cent of teenagers will develop some form of acne. Reassuring your teen that they are not alone may help to alleviate the sense of isolation that acne can bring. Although they might feel as if all their friends have ceramic skin, you should encourage your teen to take a wider view - you only have to look around public places to see that spots are everywhere. Even famous people get spots. Cameron Diaz and Calista Flockhart were both sufferers, and now they?re celebrated for their beauty.

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Teen Acne - and How to Deal with It