Acne
- Acne Overview
- Acne Causes
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Acne Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Outlook
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- Viewer Comments: Acne (Pimples) - Length Symptoms Lasted
Acne Overview
Acne is a red, irritating skin rash primarily affecting teenagers and young adults. It can, however, occur at all ages. Typical acne appears in the oil-producing areas of the body-namely, the face, chest, and back. Acne can also occur on the neck and upper arms.
Acne can have a short-term, potentially lasting psychological effect. Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence can lead to social withdrawal and even depression. Left untreated, severe acne can lead to disfiguring scarring, which can itself be difficult to treat.
- Several myths exist about acne.
- Acne is not a result of uncleanliness or infrequent
washing. In other words, acne does not result from too much dirt on the skin
or in the pores. Too much scrubbing may actually make acne worse.
- Acne does not come from eating a lot of so-called bad foods such as chocolate or fried foods. No foods cause acne or make it worse.
- Acne is not a result of uncleanliness or infrequent
washing. In other words, acne does not result from too much dirt on the skin
or in the pores. Too much scrubbing may actually make acne worse.
Next: Acne Causes »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Acne (Pimples) - Length Symptoms Lasted
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
How long did the symptoms of your acne (pimples) last?
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Acne Vulgaris »
Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that affects 85-100% of people at some time during their lives.
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