Acne
(Pimples · Zits)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Acne
Acne is diagnosed by its appearance. Your doctor may do a physical exam and look at your medical and personal history to rule out any other possibilities. Your doctor may ask about things like cosmetics and any medications you're taking.
Treating and Preventing Acne
There are many treatments available for acne, and some people may need more than one type of therapy. Your treatment will depend on the type, location, and severity of your acne. Because it could take a while for acne lesions to mature, many of these treatments will need several months before you can judge their effectiveness. Occasionally during treatment, the acne may worsen in the beginning before it improves. Below are some of the common treatments given for acne:
Topical
- Non-prescription acne products include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid. When used alone, they are effective for milder cases of acne. They are peeling agents that unplug clogs and help the skin shed dead cells. Benzoyl peroxide is also antibacterial.
- Topical antibiotics can be used in combination to treat the acne bacteria that causes inflammatory acne.
- Retinoids are often used for non-inflammatory acne, but are helpful for inflammatory acne as well. They work by making your skin turn over faster and can cause skin irritation in the beginning (though this often goes away as your skin gets used to the treatment).
Topical products should be applied to the entire affected area, not just to individual pimples. There are many combination products available that contain different combinations of the above.
Oral
- For some women, taking birth control pills can help regulate the hormones that cause acne flare-ups.
- For more severe inflammatory acne, an antibiotic (e.g., tetracycline*, minocycline, doxycycline) pill may be given.
- Isotretinoin, a strong oral retinoid, is very effective in treating severe acne, but because of its potential side effects it is typically only used when multiple other treatments have failed, especially in women of child-bearing age.
Some of these treatments can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. They should be used along with appropriate sun protection. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of the different treatment options you are considering.
Follow these basic guidelines to help prevent and treat acne:
- Wash your face twice daily with a mild, unscented soap or soap-less cleanser.
- Pat (don't rub) your skin dry with a clean towel.
- Don't pop, squeeze, or pick at pimples.
- Avoid scrubbing or vigorous washing with a harsh or rough (abrasive) soap.
- Use a fresh washcloth every day.
- Avoid the use of oil-based cosmetics.
- Keep your hair clean, and be careful about what touches your face.
- Wash off sweat and oil as soon as possible.
- Although there are no dietary recommendations for avoiding acne, some people find their acne worsens with certain foods. If that's the case, avoid consuming these foods.
- Oral steroid therapy may be given in some cases.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Acne
References
