PERSONS COMMONLY AFFECTED
- Teenagers, 10-18 years old
FEATURES
- Whiteheads and blackheads
- Red bumps that sometimes may have pus
- Cysts and nodules in severe cases
- Areas commonly affected are the face, chest, back, and shoulders
REASONS FOR DEVELOPMENT – Acne is not caused by dirt or “maruming dugo”
- Clogging of pores
- Excess oil in the skin
- Increase in skin bacteria, P. acnes
- Inflammation
OTHER FACTORS
- Strong family history of acne
- Use of products that can cause whiteheads and blackheads
- Application or intake of certain medications (ex. steroids)
- Hormonal imbalance which may also manifest as irregular menses in females
- New evidence says diet high in sugars or carbohydrates (high glycemic index/ load) may worsen acne.
- Requires use of one or more drugs (applied to the skin, taken by mouth, or both) to control and prevent recurrence
- Discontinue the offending drug, if drug-related
- Requires long periods of treatment because acne does not go away immediately (it may take one to four months before improvement may be noticed)
- Certain procedures such as lasers and light therapy, chemical peels, extraction and injection
PREVENTION
- No exact preventive measure as the disorder commonly occurs in teens
- See a dermatologist for early treatment to prevent complications such as scarring
WHY DO I NEED TO SEE A BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST?
- Over-the-counter medications may not work for moderate to severe acne. Ask your dermatologist for prescription-strength medicines and for appropriate procedures for your condition
- Effective management of acne often require combining two or more medications for best results. A board-certified dermatologist can create a treatment plan suited to your individual needs
- Acne can be a side effect of a drug used to treat another disorder (ex., use of oral steroids in asthma) or a manifestation of another disease (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). A board-certified dermatologist will know what to ask in your medical history.
- Scarring is a complication of acne. A board-certified dermatologist knows the effective and proven therapies for acne to prevent scarring.
- Scarring must be prevented because it has been shown to cause low self-esteem which may show as poor school performance or impaired socialization skills.