Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. The ages that people are effected runs from early teens to the 40's. Acne can be upsetting, disfiguring, and can lead to permanent scarring but its not a life threatening condition. Young men are more likely than young women to have more severe, longer lasting forms of acne but are less likely than young women to visit a dermatologist. Young women may have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle or caused by cosmetics.
Symptoms that acne has a significant impact on a person's outlook on life are:
Social withdrawal
Decreased self-esteem
Reduced self-confidence
Poor body image
Embarrassment
Feelings of depression
Anger
Preoccupation
Frustration
Higher rate of unemployment
These negative psychosocial effects can have a crippling impact, discouraging patients from pursuing life's opportunities - socially, on the job, and at school.
Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day's accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse. The best approach to hygiene and acne is to gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, pat dry, and use an appropriate acne treatment.
Myth: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. Food does not cause acne - not chocolate, not french fries, not pizza. Some people insist that certain foods affect their acne; those foods should be avoided.
Myth: Acne is caused by stress. The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Severe stress that needs medical intervention may be treated with drugs that cause acne as a side effect. Consult your physician if you suspect this is the case.
When to consult a dermatologist:
The results achieved with nonprescription acne products are unsatisfactory.
The acne interferes with enjoyment of life.
There are acne scars and lesions that are large and painful.
Acne is causing dark patches to appear in a dark skinned person.
For more information about acne problems and solutions, check out AcneNet available at http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/index.html.
American Academy of Dermatology, 2002
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