Acne

Acne is a condition that affects the oil glands and hair follicles on the skin. When hair follicles are blocked with skin and oil, a lesion (or pimple) is formed². This happens when the bacteria that normally live on the skin grows in the plugged follicles causing, swelling, pain, redness, and heat⁴. Pimples are commonly found on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders⁴.

Acne is most common among teenagers and young adults, but any person regardless of age or race can get acne⁵.

The exact cause of acne is not known, but there are several factors that maybe contribute to its cause.

• Hormonal changes—during puberty for both boys and girls, before a menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy⁶.
• Family history—if your parents had acne, there is a chance you may also get it⁷.
• Medications—use of certain medications such as lithium or steroids that increase testosterone may cause acne^6,7.
• Cosmetics—especially oil-based products and suntan lotion⁶.

Acne mostly occurs on the face but can also be common in places like the neck, shoulders, back and upper chest⁸.

Acne causes several types of pimples: ⁹

• Comedo—a hair follicle that is enlarged and plugged.
• Whitehead (or closed comedo)—a plugged follicle that stays under the skin that produces a white bump.
• Blackhead (or open comedo)—a plugged follicle that comes to the top of the skin, opens up and turns black when exposed to air.
• Papules—inflamed pimples that appear as small, tender pink bumps.
• Pustules—: pimples that are red at the bottom with a white or yellow pus-filled top.
• Nodules—pimples deep in the skin that are solid, large and painful.
• Cysts—deep, painful, pus-filled pimples that can cause scarring.

Your doctor will examine your skin, as other skin conditions may look like acne¹⁰.  Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will determine the type(s) of acne you have and grade the severity (mild acne—grade 1 to severe acne—grade 4) ¹⁰.

Acne may be managed with over-the-counter and prescription medications. Treatment may help heal pimples, stop new pimples from forming and prevent scarring¹¹.