Acne: Should I See My Doctor
What is a Decision Point?
Acne: Should I See My Doctor?You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Acne: Should I See My Doctor? Get the facts Your options
Key points to remember
FAQs What is acne?Acne is a common skin problem that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores. Acne is very common among teens. Mild acne, with a few pimples that clear up on their own, may not need any medical treatment. Moderate and severe acne can cause permanent scars. It can also affect a person's self-esteem. Most people outgrow acne after their teen years. But some people, especially women, may have acne later in life. What are the symptoms of acne?Clogged pores lead to pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. They can appear on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. These can cause painful infections and scars. How is acne treated?How acne is treated depends on how bad it is. Gently cleaning the area with soap or using over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide lotions, often clears up mild acne. If these treatments don't clear up your skin within 3 months, see your doctor. He or she can prescribe medicines that can help keep your acne under control. For severe acne, your doctor may prescribe a pill such as isotretinoin. This medicine may cause birth defects if taken by a pregnant woman. It also has other rare but serious side effects. Compare your options Compare
See a doctor for acne
See a doctor for acne
Don't see a doctor for
acne Don't see a doctor for
acne
Personal stories Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about seeing a doctor for acneThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I know that it's normal to still have acne in your 20s, but it really bothers me that I still have so many pimples. I feel like people don't take me seriously because of my skin (though maybe that's all in my head). I'm considering a different job that would involve a lot more work with the public, and I think that my pimples will bother me even more then. I'm going to ask my doctor what I can try. Shelley, age 24 Even though I have quite a few pimples and blackheads, none of them are very serious. My acne is more annoying than anything else. I feel like I should have outgrown it by now, but it's still there. If I use my benzoyl peroxide faithfully, I can keep it under control, but sometimes I forget. All in all, I guess it doesn't bother me enough to see a doctor about it. Alfonso, age 27 My mom says that everyone gets zits and that I'm the only one who notices my skin. But I know that's not true. Sometimes the kids at school tease me about my pimples, and I really don't even like to go to school when my face is really broken out. I hate the way I look. So I got my mom to say "okay" about asking the doctor what I can do about it. Tim, age 14 I am not all that bothered by my acne yet. I do what I can to keep it under control and just try to forget it's there. A lot of kids my age have zits. I think if I don't notice it, maybe other people won't notice it either. Janet, age 15 What matters most to you? Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to see a doctor for acne Reasons not to see a doctor for acne I need help to treat my acne. I want to treat my acne on my own. More important Equally important More important I want to take prescription medicines to treat my acne. I don't want to take prescription medicines to treat my acne. More important Equally important More important I don't mind going to a doctor for my acne. I don't want to go to the doctor. More important Equally important More important I'm not concerned about the side effects of medicines that my doctor might prescribe. I'm very concerned about the side effects of medicines that my doctor might prescribe. More important Equally important More important I don't mind spending the money for doctor visits and medicines. I don't want to spend the money for doctor visits and medicines. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now? Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Seeing a doctor NOT seeing a doctor Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts 1.
I don't need to see a doctor if washing with soap and using over-the-counter medicines are controlling my acne.
2.
My doctor can prescribe medicines to treat bad acne that causes scarring.
3.
I should think about seeing a doctor if my acne makes me feel embarrassed or sad.
Decide what's next 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. 3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your Summary Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Your decisionNext steps Which way you're leaning How sure you are Your comments Your knowledge of the factsKey concepts that you understood Key concepts that may need review Getting ready to actPatient choices CreditsCredits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Acne: Should I See My Doctor?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the factsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs What is acne?Acne is a common skin problem that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores. Acne is very common among teens. Mild acne, with a few pimples that clear up on their own, may not need any medical treatment. Moderate and severe acne can cause permanent scars. It can also affect a person's self-esteem. Most people outgrow acne after their teen years. But some people, especially women, may have acne later in life. What are the symptoms of acne?Clogged pores lead to pimples , whiteheads, or blackheads. They can appear on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. These can cause painful infections and scars. How is acne treated?How acne is treated depends on how bad it is. Gently cleaning the area with soap or using over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide lotions, often clears up mild acne. If these treatments don't clear up your skin within 3 months, see your doctor. He or she can prescribe medicines that can help keep your acne under control. For severe acne, your doctor may prescribe a pill such as isotretinoin. This medicine may cause birth defects if taken by a pregnant woman. It also has other rare but serious side effects. 2. Compare your options
Personal storiesAre you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about seeing a doctor for acneThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I know that it's normal to still have acne in your 20s, but it really bothers me that I still have so many pimples. I feel like people don't take me seriously because of my skin (though maybe that's all in my head). I'm considering a different job that would involve a lot more work with the public, and I think that my pimples will bother me even more then. I'm going to ask my doctor what I can try." — Shelley, age 24 "Even though I have quite a few pimples and blackheads, none of them are very serious. My acne is more annoying than anything else. I feel like I should have outgrown it by now, but it's still there. If I use my benzoyl peroxide faithfully, I can keep it under control, but sometimes I forget. All in all, I guess it doesn't bother me enough to see a doctor about it." — Alfonso, age 27 "My mom says that everyone gets zits and that I'm the only one who notices my skin. But I know that's not true. Sometimes the kids at school tease me about my pimples, and I really don't even like to go to school when my face is really broken out. I hate the way I look. So I got my mom to say "okay" about asking the doctor what I can do about it." — Tim, age 14 "I am not all that bothered by my acne yet. I do what I can to keep it under control and just try to forget it's there. A lot of kids my age have zits. I think if I don't notice it, maybe other people won't notice it either." — Janet, age 15 3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to see a doctor for acne Reasons not to see a doctor for acne I need help to treat my acne. I want to treat my acne on my own. More important Equally important More important I want to take prescription medicines to treat my acne. I don't want to take prescription medicines to treat my acne. More important Equally important More important I don't mind going to a doctor for my acne. I don't want to go to the doctor. More important Equally important More important I'm not concerned about the side effects of medicines that my doctor might prescribe. I'm very concerned about the side effects of medicines that my doctor might prescribe. More important Equally important More important I don't mind spending the money for doctor visits and medicines. I don't want to spend the money for doctor visits and medicines. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Seeing a doctor NOT seeing a doctor Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. I don't need to see a doctor if washing with soap and using over-the-counter medicines are controlling my acne.
You're right. You may not need to see a doctor if you can control your acne by gently washing your skin with soap and by using over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide lotions. 2. My doctor can prescribe medicines to treat bad acne that causes scarring.
You're right. Your doctor can prescribe medicines to treat bad acne that causes scarring. This may include lotions and pills. 3. I should think about seeing a doctor if my acne makes me feel embarrassed or sad.
That's right. You may want to see a doctor if you feel embarrassed or depressed because of your acne. Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you? 2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. Last Revised: February 3, 2011 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise 
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. To learn more visit Healthwise.org © 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. |
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