TeenThreads mission: Clear, stigma-free skin health info for teens — what’s normal, what’s not, and what actually helps.

Important: This page is educational and does not replace medical care. If symptoms are severe, spreading fast, or scary, get help right away.

Quick Jump

• What Teen Skin Health Means
• Normal vs Not-Normal (Red Flags)
• Common Teen Skin Conditions (List + Treatments)
• Itch, Pain, Burning: What It Can Mean
• Prevention & Daily Habits
• When to See a Clinician
• Trusted Resources (Active Links)
• 30-Question Quiz + Answers

Trusted “start here” (medical library):
MedlinePlus – Skin Conditions
MedlinePlus – Rashes

Often Normal (Common in Teens)

• Mild acne (blackheads/whiteheads), especially on face/back
• Oily skin or mild dandruff
• Occasional razor bumps or mild ingrown hairs
• Small, short-lived irritation after trying a new product

Get Checked (Red Flags)

• Rapidly spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or severe tenderness
• Pus, draining sores, honey-colored crusting, or fever
• Face/lip/eye swelling, trouble breathing, or widespread hives (urgent)
• Rash plus high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, or purple spots (urgent)
• Open sores that don’t heal, or a rash that lasts > 2–3 weeks
• Severe itch at night, or itch spreading to family members (possible infestation)

MedlinePlus – Rashes (when to get help)

1) Acne

Very common in teens. Can be mild (blackheads/whiteheads) or inflamed (red pimples, deeper bumps).

• What helps: gentle cleanser, non-comedogenic products, consistent routine
• Common treatments: benzoyl peroxide or adapalene (OTC), topical prescription meds, oral meds for moderate/severe acne
• Don’t: scrub hard, pick/squeeze (can worsen inflammation and scarring)

MedlinePlus – Acne

2) Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Dry, itchy, inflamed skin that can flare up. Often linked to sensitive skin, allergies, or asthma.

• What helps: thick moisturizer (ointment/cream), short lukewarm showers, fragrance-free products
• Common treatments: topical anti-inflammatory creams prescribed by a clinician; itch control plans
• Red flag: painful cracks, oozing, or signs of infection (needs evaluation)

MedlinePlus – Eczema

3) Contact Dermatitis (Irritation or Allergy)

Rash caused by skin touching something irritating or allergenic (new soap, fragrance, hair dye, jewelry metal, athletic tape, plants).

• What helps: stop the trigger, gentle cleansing, moisturize, cool compresses
• Common treatments: anti-itch or anti-inflammatory creams (sometimes prescription)
• Urgent: face swelling, breathing trouble, or widespread hives

MedlinePlus – Rashes (includes contact reactions)

4) Dandruff (Scalp Flaking)

Flakes and scalp itch are common in teens. Sometimes it’s simple dandruff; sometimes it’s a related skin condition on the scalp.

• What helps: anti-dandruff shampoo used as directed (consistent use matters)
• Get checked if: painful scalp, oozing, thick crusts, or hair loss

MedlinePlus – Dandruff

5) Fungal Infections (Athlete’s Foot / Ringworm / “Jock Itch”)

Fungal rashes can happen with sports, sweating, shared locker rooms, and tight shoes. They can itch, burn, and spread.

• What helps: keep skin clean and dry; change socks/underwear daily; don’t share towels
• Common treatments: antifungal creams/sprays (OTC) used long enough (finish the course)
• Get checked if: worsening redness, pus, fever, or no improvement after correct OTC use

MedlinePlus – Athlete’s Foot

6) Common Warts

Warts are common and spread by skin contact. They often show up on fingers, hands, and feet.

• What helps: don’t pick; keep covered if they’re getting irritated
• Common treatments: OTC salicylic acid products, clinic treatments (freezing, etc.)
• Get checked if: painful, bleeding, spreading fast, or you’re unsure it’s a wart

MedlinePlus – Warts

7) Impetigo (Contagious Skin Infection)

A common bacterial skin infection, often seen around the nose/mouth or on exposed skin. It can form blisters or crusts and spreads easily.

• What helps: keep nails short; avoid touching; don’t share towels; wash hands often
• Common treatments: prescription antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics (clinician-guided)
• School/sports note: ask a clinician when it’s safe to return (prevents spread)

MedlinePlus – Impetigo

8) Boils (Furuncles) / Skin Abscess

A boil is a deeper skin infection that can be painful and swollen. Some need medical drainage or antibiotics.

• Do not: squeeze or “pop” (can worsen infection)
• What helps: warm compresses; keep covered; get evaluated if large or very painful
• Urgent: fever, fast spread, or boil on face/near eye

MedlinePlus Encyclopedia – Boils

9) Psoriasis

A long-term inflammatory skin condition that can cause itchy or sore patches with thicker skin and scales.

• What helps: gentle skin care; moisturizers; avoid harsh scrubbing
• Common treatments: prescription creams, light therapy, and other medicines (clinician-guided)
• Note: symptoms can flare with stress, infections, and dry skin

MedlinePlus – Psoriasis

10) Head Lice (Scalp Itch + Bugs That Spread by Head-to-Head Contact)

Head lice are common in kids and teens and can cause scalp itching. It’s not about being “dirty.” It spreads mainly through close head-to-head contact.

• What helps: follow treatment instructions carefully; check and comb as directed
• Prevention: avoid sharing hats, brushes, headphones, or hair accessories

CDC – Treatment for Head Lice

• Itching: often eczema, allergies/contact dermatitis, fungal rashes, lice; can also happen with healing skin
• Burning/stinging: irritation from products, sunburn, inflamed acne, or infection
• Sharp pain/tender bump: boil/abscess, deep inflamed acne, infected hair follicle
• Warmth + swelling: possible infection (get checked if spreading)
• Crusting/oozing: can signal infection (impetigo or infected eczema)

MedlinePlus – Rashes

• Be gentle: avoid harsh scrubs; wash with mild cleanser
• Moisturize: especially if you get dry/itchy skin
• Sports hygiene: shower after sweating; change socks/underwear; don’t share towels
• Product safety: patch-test new products; avoid strong fragrances if you react easily
• Hands off: picking bumps or scabs slows healing and can scar
• Check trends: avoid unsafe “DIY” treatments found online

Make an appointment soon if:

• Your rash/skin problem lasts more than 2–3 weeks
• It keeps coming back
• It’s painful, draining pus, or spreading
• You think it might be an infection (impetigo/boil)
• Acne is leaving marks or hurting your confidence a lot (you deserve help)

Get urgent care now if:

• Face/lip swelling, trouble breathing, or widespread hives
• High fever with rash, severe headache, stiff neck, or purple spots
• Rapidly spreading redness with severe pain

HRSA – Find a Health Center (low-cost clinics)
MedlinePlus – Choosing a Health Care Provider

• MedlinePlus – Skin Conditions
• MedlinePlus – Rashes
• MedlinePlus – Acne
• MedlinePlus – Eczema
• MedlinePlus – Psoriasis
• MedlinePlus – Athlete’s Foot
• MedlinePlus – Warts
• MedlinePlus – Impetigo
• MedlinePlus – Dandruff
• CDC – Treatment for Head Lice
• HRSA – Find a Health Center