Pronounced: AK-nee
Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged, inflamed, and sometimes infected. These clogged pores can result in blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Acne tends to occur in teenagers, but can also occur in adults.
Acne starts in the skin's sebaceous glands. These glands secrete an oily substance called sebum. The sebum normally travels through a tiny hair follicle from the gland to the skin's surface. Sometimes the sebum becomes trapped, mixing with dead skin cells and bacteria. This causes a clogged pore called a comedo (plural: comedones).
Blackheads are comedones that reach the skin's surface. Whiteheads are comedones that stay beneath the surface of the skin. Small red bumps, pimples, and cysts may also develop.
The main causes of acne include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition.
Acne symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. They include:
The doctor will examine the areas of your skin with the most sebaceous glands like the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. If your acne is severe, you may be referred to a dermatologist, a skin specialist.
There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications for acne. They may be applied directly to the skin (topical medication), taken by mouth (oral medication), or injected into the acne cysts or pustules.
Acne may require a combination of treatments but, most acne does not require surgery. Some treatments may take several weeks to work. Your skin may actually appear to get worse before it gets better.
Prescription oral medicine include antibiotics, medications for hormone-related acne, and vitamin A derivatives called retinoids. They are generally used for moderate to severe cases of acne.
Risks associated with scar revision and surgery include scarring and infection. Talk with your doctor or surgeon about the risks and benefits of the procedure.
It can be difficult to prevent acne from occurring, because it can be difficult to control the factors that cause it. But there are some things you can do to keep your acne from getting worse:
RESOURCES:
The Acne Resource Center Online
http://www.acne-resource.org/
The American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca/
Dermatologists.ca
http://www.dermatologists.ca/
References:
What is acne? American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/index.html . Accessed June 4, 2008.
Questions and answers about acne. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/acne/acne.htm . Accessed June 4, 2008.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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