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Acne – Signs and Symptoms

Acne is a common feature of most youngsters. Acne form on face, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Primarily acne is due to excess sebum production in body because of high levels of hormone androgen. This secretion encourages bacterial growth and infection.

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Signs and Symptoms of Acne

New York (USA), June 19, 2013

Acne is a common feature of most youngsters. They form on face, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Primarily acne is due to excess sebum production in body because of high levels of hormone androgen. This excess secretion also encourages bacterial growth and infection.

Acne: Signs and Symptoms

Inflammatory Lesions: Infection or inflammation in hair follicles causes small bumps on skin. These are tender and reddish in color. These are papules. Sometimes these bumps contain pus at their tips. Pus gives a white color on tip. These are pustules or pimples. These normally occur on cheeks, nose, and forehead. Many times these pimples go away within few days. Nonetheless, some grow large and turn into painful acne. At other times, sebum secretions form huge throbbing lumps within hair follicles underneath the skin surface. These are nodules. Pus filled lumps that form beneath the skin surface are extremely agonizing. These are cysts, which sometimes cause scars. Formation of any inflammatory lesions is acne.

Formation of Comedones: Dead skin cells, excess sebum secretions, and bacteria block hair follicle openings to create comedones. These are non-inflammatory in nature. When these remain open at skin surface, they darken and form blackheads. Some comedones remain closed and do not change color. These are whiteheads. Comedone formations on your skin are a sign of developing acne.

Dark Spots with Open Pores: These spots appear due to crusting of skin bumps. Slowly they develop into acne.

Pain and Itching: Before acne appears on skin surface, you feel a tingling, irritating pain around the affected area. Itching sensation persists and slowly the area starts turning reddish and acne appears within few days.

Scarring: This is also one of the symptoms of acne. Inflammation within the skin causes scars to appear on skin. Excess collagen at a spot causes scars. They sometimes create small holes on skin surface. This is ‘ice pick scars’. Scars could be boxcar scars, thickened scars, or rolling scars.

Although acne does not pose any serious medical condition, it is best to seek treatment immediately.

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Written By:
Dr. Marilyn Thompson