Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars. No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and pimples are not caused by dirt. Stress doesn't cause acne, but stress can make it worse. If you have acne: • Clean your skin gently • Try not to touch your skin • Avoid the sun Treatments for acne include medicines and creams. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases 

1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Acne
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2. Overview
Acne is a common skin disease that causes
pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under
your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the
face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Anyone can
get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young
adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars.
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3. Overview
No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone
changes, such as those during the teenage years
and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are
many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate
and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is
little evidence that foods have much effect on acne
in most people. Another common myth is that
dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and
pimples are not caused by dirt. Stress doesn't
cause acne, but stress can make it worse.
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4. Overview
If you have acne:
• Clean your skin gently
• Try not to touch your skin
• Avoid the sun
Treatments for acne include medicines and
creams.
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5. Overview
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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6. Symptoms
Acne is more than pimples. A person with acne can
display many different blemishes including
blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts
and nodules. Acne can also occur in places other
than the face. Breakouts can happen on the upper
arms, chest, neck, back, shoulders, back and
buttocks. As a result of these blemishes those with
acne are also susceptible to scarring and dark spot
from healed blemishes.
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7. Symptoms
Acne can also hurt more than your skin. Many
studies have shown that people with acne tend to
suffer from low self-esteem and depression.
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8. Diagnosis
To make an acne diagnosis a dermatologist will first
examine the skin; many skin conditions can look
like acne. If the doctor determines you have acne
they will grade it on a mild to severe scale of 1 to
4. The dermatologist will also note what type of
acne appears on the skin.
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9. Treatment
Care depends upon the severity of the acne. Those
who have mild acne may be recommended over
the counter products. Commonly used products
that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can
clear acne of this severity. While overnight clearing
of breakouts are often claimed over the counter
treatments require 4-8 weeks for improvement.
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10. Treatment
If your acne is more severe a doctor can prescribe
topical treatments, medications, and different in
office procedures. The topical treatments often
prescribed are antibiotic, salicylic
acid, retinoid, and prescription strength benzoyl
peroxide. Some act by reducing oil and others by
killing bacteria. Medication is prescribed for those
with swollen and inflamed acne. These
medications include antibiotics, birth control or
other hormone regulator and isotretinoin. The
office procedures your derma
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11. Causes
Acne strikes when hair follicles in your skin become
plugged with dead skin cells and oil. The oil that
causes acne is called sebum, which is produced by
the sebaceous glands that are connected to hair
follicles. Sebum is produced as a natural lubricant
for hair and skin. When the body over produces
sebum and dead skin cells they can build up in the
hair follicle and become a place where bacteria can
grow. This can result in whiteheads when the
follicle bulges, blackheads when the plug in the fo
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12. Prevention
When your acne clears the medication and
treatment that worked should be continued to
prevent new breakouts. Breakouts can also be
prevented with simple measures such as:
-- Washing acne prone skin only twice a day –
Excess cleansing can actually irritate skin further.
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13. Prevention
-- Avoid heavy makeup – Use powder foundation
rather than cream or liquid that can irritate skin.
Additionally make sure to toss old makeup and any
applicators regularly.
-- Don’t sleep with makeup on – Sleeping with
makeup on your skin can clog your pores.
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14. Prevention
-- Wear loose clothes- Loose clothes allow heat
and moisture to dissipate allowing skin to breath
and preventing friction.
-- Shower after exercise-The oil in sweat left on the
skin after a workout can trap dirt and bacteria.
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15. Myths
A common myth held about acne is that it is
caused by poor hygiene. This is far from true. In
fact too much washing or scrubbing can cause the
skin to over produce oil and exacerbate existing
acne.
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16. Myths
Another very common misconception is that acne
is caused by diet. While it is true that poor
nutrition is bad for you. There is no concrete
scientific evidence to prove that greasy foods or
chocolate cause acne.Lastly many still hold that
acne is something you have to let run its course
and that it’s just a cosmetic problem. Neither is
true. Acne can be treated and even cleared
completely with the help of a dermatologist or
over the counter products for mild acne.
Additionally problem acne can
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17. Additional Resources
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases
Mayo Clinic
The American Academy of Dermatology
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