Why Is the Side of My Child’s Face Dark and Won’t Wash Clean? The Sooner You Know These Facts, the Better!

As a dermatologist, I often encounter anxious parents in the clinic pointing to a "black spot" on their child's cheek near the ear a

As a dermatologist, I often encounter anxious parents in the clinic pointing to a “black spot” on their child’s cheek near the ear and asking:

Doctor, why is the child’s skin a bit black here? I pay attention to washing this area every time I wash my face, but I can’t wash it off.

This area of skin is often not painful or itchy, but it looks “dirty” and affects the appearance.

It is one of the most common causes. Especially the gray-brown area on the child’s cheek in front of the ear, it feels like fine sandpaper when touched, upon closer inspection,not only is there pigmentation, but there are also some densely packed small particles the size of pinpricks.

This is what everyone refers to as “chicken skin.”

When it comes to “chicken skin,” everyone is familiar with it. Many people’s upper arms and thighs have a rougher texture,the essence of which is hyperkeratosis of the hair follicle opening, preventing hair from growing normally.

On the cheek, especially in the “shadow area” in front of the ear, it is also a part that is prone to keratosis pilaris. With light reflection, it looks like a black area.

Keratosis pilaris is an autosomal dominant hereditary condition,many have “chicken skin,” and their children do too.