5 signs that your child is entering puberty

These are the signs that puberty has started! The onset of puberty usually brings with it numerous physical, mental and emotional changes that appear gradually in children around the age of 11 or 12. However, it is possible that, in some cases, these signs begin to appear as early as age 8, in the case of girls, and 9, for boys.

What are the signs that you should look out for? You need to keep an eye out for certain changes in the appearance and behavior of adolescents to know if they are entering puberty. Here we tell you the five most common signs!

5. Acne

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The appearance of acne in children about to enter puberty is due, among other things, to the hormonal changes that boys and girls go through. Sometimes, hormonal imbalances produce excess oil on the skin and in the hair follicles, which results in the appearance of pimples, blackheads and acne.

When excess oil on the skin of the face is combined with dead cells and bacteria, there is a greater risk that the onset of puberty will be marked by the appearance of acne. It can be mild or severe and sometimes requires specialized medical attention to be controlled.

4. Sudden growth can indicate that kids are starting puberty

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Both girls and boys go through a growth spurts in the later stages of puberty. In the case of boys, they can experience some pain associated with this stage, in which they can grow up to three inches taller in a year.

Girls typically experience a growth spurt one to two years before their first period, which usually occurs between the ages of 8 and 13. A year or two after this event, girls will grow an extra inch or two.

3. Odor

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Teenagers will go through many unwanted changes during puberty. Along with the possible appearance of acne and changes in voice, height and the arrival of menstruation, puberty is also associated with excessive sweating which, for some people, means developing body odor.

Even when there is no excessive sweating, adolescents going through puberty often experience stronger body odor, this is due to bacteria on the skin, which come into contact with sweat.

2. Mood swings are part of puberty

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Perhaps one of the first signs that you will observe at the beginning of puberty are the mood swings that boys and girls both experience. Many times, they themselves cannot understand what is happening, which can lead to an increase in anxiety levels and general discomfort.

According to experts, sudden mood swings in boys and girls going through puberty may be due to hormones, fear and insecurity associated with physical changes, lack of sleep, or family conflicts.

1. Social changes

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Not all the changes that occur in puberty are physical and, although those are usually the most obvious, during the beginning of this stage, it is common for both boys and girls to gradually change their tastes and turn their attention towards new people and ways of interacting.

From the beginning of puberty, it is common to find that boys and girls take a greater interest in spending more time with people their own age, separating from family and showing more independence.