What are the Signs and Symptoms of Acne?

Not only is acne a skin problem that teenagers are likely to suffer from but there are a number of adults who will suffer from it also. The main reason why a person has acne is that their body is producing too much oil and which then causes the pores on their skin to become blocked. If left untreated not only does it look unsightly but also in some of the more severe cases can lead to permanent damage (scarring) to a person’s skin. In this article we look at the main acne signs and symptoms.

In most cases acne normally appears on a person’s face, but it can also appear on their chest, neck, shoulders and back as well. These are all areas of their body where they have glands that can produce oil. When it does appear acne can take various different forms and below we describe what these are.

1. In most cases the first sign of acne is when white head or black heads begin to erupt on the person’s skin. Known as Comedones by medical professionals these are produced at the hair follicle openings that will have become blocked because the body is secreting too much oil and this prevents dead skin cells from leaving the body. Also there is an increased risk that these can become infected as bacteria may well be prevented from being eliminated from the body also.

2. Papules these are small raised bumps, which appear on the skin and have been caused because the hair follicles have become inflamed or infected. In many cases as well as being red in color they are often tender to touch also.

3. The next form of acne that you may suffer from is similar in looks to the Papules but has a white tip to them (should not be mistaken for white heads). This white tip is made up of pus that contains bacteria that if allowed to come into contact with other areas of your skin can cause further eruptions of the acne. These particular spots are more commonly referred to as Pustules.

4. The next type of symptom that forms on the skin of acne suffering is large solid lumps known as Nodules, which form underneath the skins surface. As well as being large and unsightly these are also painful as well and have been caused because oil and other secretions have been able to build up deep within the hairs follicles.

5. The final form of acne that some people may well suffer from and which is the worse of all the symptoms is the Cysts. These just like the Nodules are large and painful but contain large amounts of pus (containing bacteria) as well. If left untreated then these can cause further permanent damage (scarring) to that person’s skin.

The biggest problem that one faces with regards to acne is that if left untreated and the spots are allowed to rupture they can lead to further outbreaks of the problem on other areas of their skin. It is therefore important that if you begin to notice that you have any of the acne signs and symptoms mentioned above you seek medical advice as soon as possible. You may find that there could be some other underlying medical problem that has caused you to suffer from this condition.