Acne

Also called: Pimples, Zits
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.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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Acne(Patient Education Institute)
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Acne (Acne Vulgaris)(Logical Images)
What Is Acne?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
Also available in Spanish
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Overviews
Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Also available in Spanish
Questions and Answers about Acne(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
What Is Acne?(American Academy of Dermatology)
Latest News
Studies Show Combination Laser Therapy Effective at Clearing Acne, Reducing Oil Production(03/05/2009, American Academy of Dermatology)
Acne Cream Not Linked to Raised Death Risk(01/23/2009, HealthDay)
Treatment
12 Ways to Get Better Results from Acne Treatment(American Academy of Dermatology)
Acne and Isotretinoin: Using Isotretinoin the Right Way(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Acne Treatments: Emerging Therapies for Clearer Skin(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
FDA Warning: Risks of Buying Accutane (Isotretinoin) over the Internet(Food and Drug Administration)
Laser Acne Treatment(Logical Images)
Over-the-Counter Acne Products: What Works and Why(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Physical Procedures for Treating Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Prescription Medications for Treating Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Topical Acne Medication Can Clear Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Treating Acne in Skin of Color(American Academy of Dermatology)
Treating Mild Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Treating Moderate to Moderately Severe Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Treating Severe Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Prevention/Screening
Can I Prevent Acne?(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Early Acne Often Predicts Severe Acne(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Specific Conditions
Acne Mechanica(American Academy of Dermatology)
Excoriated Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Infantile Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Pomade Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Severe Acne: 4 Types(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Related Issues
Acne Myths(American Academy of Dermatology)
Acne Scarring(American Academy of Dermatology)
Social Impact of Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Truth about Oral Contraceptives and Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
When to See a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Pictures & Photographs
Acne Excoriée(Logical Images)
Acne Keloidalis Nuchae(Logical Images)
Before and After Photos: Treatment of Atrophic Scars(American Society for Dermatologic Surgery) Return to top
Tutorials
Acne(Patient Education Institute)
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Acne Vulgaris(National Institutes of Health) Return to top
Genetics
Gene Array Research Contributes to Understanding of Acne(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) Return to top
Research
Food Does Not Cause Acne(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: Acne in India: guidelines for management - IAA consensus document.
Article: Phase II trial of single agent cetuximab in patients with...
Article: Acne-photodynamic therapy with intra-lesional injection of 5-aminolevulinic acid.
Acne -- see more articles Return to top
Dictionaries/Glossaries
Glossary(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Directories
Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Organizations
American Academy of Dermatology
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Children
Acne(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Baby Acne (Neonatal Acne)(Logical Images) Return to top
Teenagers
Acne in Teens: Ways to Control It(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Adolescent Acne(American Academy of Dermatology)
Can Acne Scars Be Removed?(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Myths about Acne(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Why Did My Doctor Prescribe Birth Control Pills for My Acne?(Nemours Foundation)
Why Do I Get Acne?(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Women
Acne(National Women's Health Information Center)
Acne Medications Not for Use during Pregnancy(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top
Adults
Adult Acne: A Fact of Life for Many Women(American Academy of Dermatology)
Adult Acne: Effective Treatment Available(American Academy of Dermatology) Return to top