Acne

Summary

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

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Teenagers

• Acne Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Can Acne Scars Be Removed? Nemours Foundation
• Teens and Acne Treatment American Academy of Pediatrics
• Why Do I Get Acne? Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Acne Medical Encyclopedia
• Acne – self-care Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• Acne Nemours Foundation
• Baby Acne (Neonatal Acne) VisualDX

Women

• Acne Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Pregnancy Acne: What’s the Best Treatment? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Topical Acne Treatments and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists

Start Here

• Acne American Academy of Family Physicians
• Acne (Acne Vulgaris) VisualDX
• Acne Breakouts: Controlling Problem Pimples National Institutes of Health
• Can I Prevent Acne? Nemours Foundation
• What Is Acne? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Images

• Acne Excoriée VisualDX
• Acne Keloidalis Nuchae VisualDX

Related Issues

• Acne Scars Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Acne Vulgaris National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Treatments and Therapies

• Nonprescription Acne Treatment: Which Products Work Best? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Journal Articles

• Acne