My 14 year old son has a lot of acne on his upper back?

Hello, thank you for your question!

I have found studies that suggest a link between diet and acne breakouts. Diet does not cause acne per se, but can, in some people, make it look worse. The nature of the food is not concrete, however, so it could differ from person to person.

If possible, I would encourage your son to keep a diary of the foods he eats and the amount he eats to see if his acne is getting worse (or not). Keep in mind that it may take a few days after eating a certain food to see the effects.

Several products exist to treat acne, even on the body

The best product available without a prescription is benzoyl peroxide gel or lotion (brand name: Benzagel and other brands). It can greatly help to reduce acne, but it may not disappear completely. It is applied once or twice a day (once a day for the first week to evaluate tolerance, otherwise once every two days if the product is irritating or dries the skin too much). Only advise her that the peroxide can rub off clothes and bedding...

If this is insufficient after 1 month of rigorous testing, you will have to consult a doctor (a general practitioner is sufficient, not necessarily a dermatologist first) to evaluate the need to start other types of treatment.

I hope I've been helpful, so please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have!

Tom Samaha, pharmacist