Acne Symptoms & Warning Signs

Symptoms

Acne can occur almost anywhere on the body. Commonly affected areas include the face, neck, chest, back, and buttocks. A person might notice acne beginning to form when there is sensitivity on or under the skin. Eventually, papules, pustules, blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, or cysts might start to form. You might experience pain or discomfort under your skin before the acne starts to form.

Acne may occur suddenly or gradually. You may notice that your blemishes are slowly becoming worse over time, or you may notice that your severe acne is appearing out of nowhere. You may go through periods of flare-ups followed by periods of remission when your acne is not a problem at all.

The symptoms will vary depending on the type and severity of acne. Some people experience mild skin irritation and only a few small blemishes. Other people experience large and painful cysts that are difficult to treat and that take a long time to go away. Similarly, some acne will respond to treatment, and other acne will not. Some acne might even stop responding to treatments after several months. When it comes to acne, symptoms can vary drastically from person to person.

Non-inflamed acne is neither red in color nor painful. Instead, these types of acne include blackheads and disruptions to the skin's smooth texture. Skin might feel rough, uneven, or even dry. Non-inflamed acne can be painful and can eventually become inflamed.

With inflamed acne, lesions are red in color and inflamed. Blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts are all possible with this type of acne. These types of eruptions will vary in severity and will range from one pimple to a cluster of lesions to uncontrollable and painful cysts.

Symptoms can last anywhere from days to weeks and even months. Acne might develop, clear, and eventually recur, or lesions might remain on the skin for a period of months. Some people suffer from acne for years.

Some doctors use a scale to assess the severity of acne symptoms. Two commonly used scales are the Cook's acne grading scale and the Pillsbury scale.

Many people experience symptoms of depression in addition to their acne. It is important to treat the symptoms of depression in addition to the lesions. You may need to work with a medical professional to pursue counseling and additional treatment.

Warning Signs

If acne does not clear after several weeks with an over-the-counter regimen, it might be necessary to see a doctor, dermatologist, or other licensed medical professional. If acne persists for several months, starts to impair self-esteem or self-confidence, or becomes painful and excessive, a doctor might be required to help.

Other problems to watch out for include scarring. Those who scar easily may endure acne scars for the rest of their lives. To reduce the chances of permanent scarring, it is important that acne is treated promptly. A doctor might need to start a treatment regimen for scars that do not fade naturally.

Sometimes, acne can also be indicative of other, more dangerous conditions that are related to bacterial infections, fungal infections, and hormone imbalances. Certain skin conditions can look like acne. These conditions include follicultis, keratosis, rosacea, and various types of rashes. Long lasting, painful, itchy, or uncomfortable acne frequently requires an expert medical opinion to exclude the possibility of more pressing problems.

Depression is another serious warning sign. It is common for acne to affect a person's self esteem. Teenagers, especially, have a difficult time dealing with acne and can experience symptoms of hopelessness and sadness regarding their negative body image and distorted self-perception.

Acne should never impair a person's quality of life. A doctor can help patients cope with acne, depression, and social anxiety.

If your acne is persistent, and unresponsive to treatment, you should continue to explore options with your doctor. Many conditions resemble acne, including additional bacterial or fungal infections.

Among children, psoriasis is frequently misdiagnosed as acne. The problem is that many parents, thinking that the condition is acne, will not take their children to see a physician early on. Most people with psoriasis will experience their first attack at around age 15, which is around the same age that adolescents develop acne. Psoriasis is a lifelong condition, so an early diagnosis is essential.