What Is Acne?

Your skin has tiny holes called pores that that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, and dirt.
When this occurs, you may develop a pimple or “zit.” If your skin is repeatedly affected by
this condition, you may have acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology
(AAD), acne is one of the most common skin problems in the United States. At any one time,
between 40 and 50 million people have this condition. Although acne is not a life-threatening
condition, it can be painful, particularly when it is severe. It can also cause emotional
distress. Acne that appears on the face can impact self-esteem and, over time, may cause
permanent scarring. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for this condition that reduce
both the number of pimples you get and the chance for scarring to occur.
What Causes Acne?
Acne occurs when the pores on your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria.
Each pore on your skin is the opening to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and
a sebaceous (oil) gland. The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of
the pore, and onto your skin. The sebum keeps your skin lubricated and soft. If you develop
acne, this may be because of one or more problems in this lubrication process. These
possible causes include:
 too much oil or sebum is being produced by the follicle
 dead skin cells are accumulating in the pore
 bacteria have built up in the pore
An overabundance of oil, a pore clogged by dead skin cells, and bacteria all contribute to the
development of pimples. A zit appears when the bacteria grows in the clogged pore and the
oil is unable to escape.

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Acne?

Myths about what contributes to acne are quite common. Many people believe that foods
such as chocolate or French fries will contribute to the development of acne. While there is
no scientific support for these claims, there are certain risk factors that may put you at risk
for developing acne. These include:

 hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy

 certain medications such as birth control pills or corticosteroids
 a diet high in refined sugars or carbohydrates such as bread and chips
 Young people are most at risk for developing acne during puberty. During this time, the body
undergoes drastic hormonal changes. These hormones can trigger oil production, leading to
an increased risk of acne. Hormonal acne related to puberty usually subsides when a teenager
reaches adulthood.

What Are the Symptoms of Acne?

Acne can be found anywhere on your body. It most commonly develops on the face, back,
neck, chest, and shoulders. If you have acne, you will typically notice pimples that are white
or black in appearance. Both blackheads and whiteheads are known as
comedones. Blackheads open at the surface of the skin giving them a black
appearance. Whiteheads are closed just under the surface of the skin, giving them a white
appearance. While whiteheads and blackheads are the most common types of acne, other
lesions can occur. Inflammatory lesions are more likely to cause scarring of the skin and
include the following:
 papules—small red, raised bumps caused by infected hair follicles
 pustules—small red pimples that have pus at their tips
 nodules—solid, painful lumps that are beneath the surface of the skin
 cysts—infections found beneath the skin that contain pus and are often painful
How Is Acne Diagnosed and Treated?
If you have symptoms of acne, your doctor will be able to confirm a diagnosis by examining
your skin.

At-Home Care
You can use a number of self-care activities at home to prevent pimples and to clear up your
acne. Home remedies for acne may include:

 cleaning the skin daily with a mild soap to remove excess oil and dirt
 regularly shampooing your hair and keeping it out of your face
 not squeezing or picking pimples, as this spreads the bacteria and excess oil
 avoiding hats or tight headbands
 avoiding touching your face
 using makeup that is water-based or labeled as “noncomedogenic” (not pore-clogging)
Medication
 If self-care activities do not help with your acne, there are a number of over-the- counter
acne medications that may be helpful. Most of these medications contain ingredients that can
help kill bacteria or dry the skin. These active ingredients include:

 benzoyl peroxide: present in many acne creams and gels, used for drying out existing pimples and preventing
new ones
 sulfur: a natural ingredient with a distinctive smell that is found in lotions, cleansers, and masks
 resorcinol: a less common ingredient that is used to remove dead skin cells
 salicylic acid: often contained in soaps and acne washes
Sometimes, you may continue to experience symptoms. If this happens, you may want to
seek medical advice. Your doctor can prescribe medications that may help reduce your
symptoms and prevent scarring. Your doctor may give you oral or topicalantibiotics. These
kill the bacteria that cause pimples. Typically, antibiotics are only used for a short amount of
time so that your body doesn’t build up a resistance. Antibiotic resistance can make you
prone to infections. Topical creams like retinoic acid or prescription strength benzoyl
peroxide are often stronger formulas of over-the-counter treatments. These work to dry out
the skin and reduce oil production. Women with hormonal acne may be treated with birth
control pills or spironolactone. These medications seek to regulate the hormone-causing
acne. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a vitamin A-based medication that is used to treat certain
cases of severe nodular acne. It has serious side effects, and is only used when all other
treatments have failed.
Additional Treatments
Your doctor may recommend additional procedures to treat severe acne and prevent scarring.
Many of these work by removing damaged skin.

 photodynamic therapy: also known as laser treatment, uses light pulses to remove the top layer of skin
 dermabrasion: removes the top layer of skin with a rotating brush
 chemical peel: an aesthetician applies a chemical to your face which essentially burns the top layer of skin.
That skin later peels off to reveal less damaged skin underneath
Your doctor may suggest using cortisone injections if your acne consists of large cysts.
Cortisone is a steroid naturally produced by the body. It can reduce inflammation and speed
healing.
What Is the Outlook for Someone With Acne?
 Treatment for acne is often successful. Most people can expect their acne to clear up within
six to eight weeks. However, flare-ups of the condition are common and may require
additional treatment. Scarring that occurs as a result of acne can cause emotional distress.
Prompt treatment can help prevent scarring.

How Can Acne Be Prevented?

It’s difficult to prevent acne. However, you can take some steps at home to help prevent acne
following treatment. These include:

 washing your face twice a day with an oil-free cleanser

 using an over-the-counter acne cream to remove excess oil
 avoiding makeup that contains oil
 cleaning the skin thoroughly before bed, including removing makeup
 showering after exercising
 avoiding tight-fitting clothing

Seborrheic eczema is thought to have two chief causes. The first is overproduction of oil by the
skin. The second is a yeast known as malassezia. It is found naturally in the skin’s oils and is
believed to act as an irritant to those with the condition.
Although there is no cure, learning to recognize and eliminate triggers and developing a good
skin care routine can help you manage the condition.

Part 2 of 7: Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of
Seborrheic Eczema?
Areas Affected

Seborrheic eczema tends to develop in oily areas of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, it
most often affects the scalp (Mayo). Other commonly affected areas are:
 in and around the ears
 the eyebrows
 the nose area
 the back
 the upper portion of the chest
Appearance

Seborrheic eczema has a characteristic appearance and set of symptoms.

 Skin develops scaly patches that flake off. The patches may be white or yellowish in color. This
problem is commonly known as dandruff.
 Affected areas tend to be greasy and oily.
 Skin in the affected area may be red.
 Skin in the affected area may be itchy.
 Hair loss may occur in the affected area.
Part 3 of 7: Risk Factors
Who Is at Risk for Seborrheic
Eczema?
Doctors are not sure why some people develop seborrheic eczema, while others do not. It does
appear that your risk of developing it increases if one or more close family members also have
the condition.

Other factors thought to increase risk include:

 obesity
 fatigue
 environmental factors (such as the weather)
 poor skin care
 stress
 the presence of other skin issues (such as acne)
 use of certain skin care products (in particular those with alcohol)
Finally, certain serious medical conditions may make it more likely that you will develop the
skin condition. If you have had a stroke, suffer from HIV or Parkinson’s, or have sustained a
head injury, you may have a greater likelihood of having seborrheic eczema.

Part 4 of 7: Complications
Possible Long-Term
Complications of Seborrheic
Eczema
The good news is that the condition does not lead to significant health problems. However,
suffering from this condition may be embarrassing. This is likely in part because of the
misunderstandings about seborrheic eczema.

For instance, many people fear they can “catch” it or believe the person affected does not have
good hygiene. There are various measures that can make the skin issue less noticeable. This may
help you feel less self-conscious.

Part 5 of 7: At-Home Treatment

At-Home Treatment for Seborrheic
Eczema
Dandruff shampoos are frequently used to treat seborrheic eczema on the scalp. You will usually
need to use the product daily for optimal results. Follow all usage instructions on the bottle
exactly. According to the Mayo Clinic, alternating between shampoos with different active
ingredients may help if it seems like one stops working as well over time (Mayo).
Addition skin care measures that may help you manage this kind of eczema include:

 using over-the-counter antifungal and anti-itch creams

 using hypoallergenic soap and detergent
 thoroughly rinsing soap and shampoo off your skin and scalp
 shaving off your mustache or beard. Sometimes this eases symptoms.
 wearing cotton clothing that is breathable and lets air reach your skin
 wearing nontextured clothing to avoid irritating your skin
Cradle Cap

For infants with cradle cap, try the following daily routine:
 Loosen scales by massaging your baby’s scalp or using a soft-bristled brush.
 Wash your baby’s hair with a mild shampoo.
 Rinse hair and scalp thoroughly.
 Brush your baby’s hair with a clean, soft-bristled brush.
If it is difficult to loosen and wash off scales, massage your baby’s scalp with mineral or olive oil
before shampooing.

Your child’s doctor may recommend medicated shampoo or lotion for severe or persistent cradle
cap.

Part 6 of 7: Care From a Physician

When Should I Go See My Doctor
Not all cases of seborrheic eczema can be managed solely through the use of over-the-counter
dandruff shampoos. Oral medications, prescription shampoos, and medicinal creams and gels for
the scalp and other areas of the body can be used for severe symptoms and more serious cases.

In general, a visit to the physician may be needed if:

 you are not getting relief from a regular dandruff shampoo

 you have areas that are extremely red
 you have areas that are very painful
 you have areas that are producing pus, draining fluid, or crusting
 you are experiencing significant discomfort and believe medical intervention may be needed
Part 7 of 7: Long-Term Outlook
What Can Someone Who Has Seborrheic
Eczema Expect Over the Long Term?
People who have seborrheic eczema will deal with it on some level for the rest of their lives. You
may go through extended periods where there are little to no symptoms. You will also likely
experience “flare-ups,” when symptoms become more severe.

Over time, though, many people who have seborrheic eczema will figure out a skin care routine
(possibly combined with medications) that works for them and minimizes the impact the
condition has on their day-to-day lives.

Cradle cap usually goes away on its own in a few months.