How Long Does It Take To Clear Fungal Acne

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What Causes Acne?

Reviewed on 10/21/2020

Definition
- What Is Acne?
Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of Acne?
Causes
- What Causes Acne?
Diagnosis
- How Is Acne Diagnosed?
Treatment
- What Is the Treatment for Acne?
Complications
- What Are Complications of Acne?
Guide
- What Causes Acne? Topic Guide

What Is Acne?

Acne is caused by a bacterial skin infection, but it can be exacerbated or improved by certain skin hygiene habits.

Acne vulgaris, usually called acne for short, is a common skin condition characterized by chronic or recurrent development of papules, pustules, or nodules on the skin. Acne is common among adolescents and young adults but can occur at any age

What Are Symptoms of Acne?

Acne typically appears on the face, chest, upper back, and shoulders.

Acne symptoms include:

Small, red, tender bumps (papules)
Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at the tip
Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
Blackheads (open plugged pores)
Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)

What Causes Acne?

The cause of acne is clogged pores, which are caused by:

Hormones
- This is why acne is common during puberty and adolescence, when hormones increase
Inflammation
- Inflammation causes redness and soreness in acne lesions
Genetics
- It tends to run in families
Stress
- Stress can affect hormones, which can cause acne
- This occurs more often in females than males
Though not conclusively proven, other possible causes of acne may include:
- Vitamin deficiency
  - Inadequate levels of the antioxidants vitamin A, C, and E may inhibit the skin's ability to fight inflammation
  - Low levels of vitamin D may play a role
- Diet
  - Diets low in omega-3's, antioxidants, and zinc may result in increased acne
  - High-glycemic diets may also cause acne

SLIDESHOW

Skin Health: 15 Tips for Clear Skin See Slideshow

What Is the Treatment for Acne?

Acne can often be treated at home with self-care. Home treatments for acne include:

Wash twice daily and after sweating
Rinse with lukewarm water
Use gentle, non-abrasive cleanser and apply with fingertips
- Washcloths and sponges may irritate the skin
- Don't scrub the skin
Use gentle products on the skin
- Choose alcohol-free products
- Avoid products that can irritate skin because this can aggravate acne
Shampoo oily hair daily
Don't pick, pop, or squeeze acne
- Let skin heal naturally
- Picking at acne can make it take longer to go away and can increase the risk of scarring
Don't touch your face because bacteria on your fingers can get into pores and cause acne
Avoid the sun and tanning beds
- Ultraviolet (UV) light damages the skin
- Some acne medications make the skin sensitive to UV light

Treatments for acne depend on the type of breakout you have.

Whiteheads, blackheads, or both
- Usually requires topical (on the skin) medications
- Retinoids
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Topical antibiotics
- Combination of the above
Pimples
- Usually requires topical (on the skin) medications
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Retinoids
- Azelaic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide plus a retinoid or a topical antibiotic
- Women may need a birth control pill or patch approved to treat acne
Acne nodules and cysts
- Prescription topical medication plus an oral antibiotic
- Topical retinoids
- Oral retinoids
- Azelaic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Hormonal therapies
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Topical and oral antibiotics
- Women may need a birth control pill or patch approved to treat acne

Other treatments for acne include:

Laser or light therapy
- May help clear acne
- Works best combined with other acne treatments
Corticosteroid injections
- Used for large, painful, deep acne breakouts
- Relieves pain and inflammation quickly
- Usually reserved for treating a few severe acne breakouts due to possible side effects

What Are Complications of Acne?

Complications of acne include:

Areas of darkened skin (hyperpigmentation)
Scarring
Negative psychosocial effects
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Anxiety

From

Reviewed on 10/21/2020

References