skin disorders
Acne
Symptoms of Acne
Most acne occurs on the face but is also common on the neck, shoulders, back, and upper chest. Anabolic steroid use typically causes acne on the shoulders and upper back. There are three levels of acne severity: Mild acne Moderate acne Severe acne Yet even mild acne can be distressing, especially to adolescents, who see each pimple as a major cosmetic challenge. People withmild acnedevelop only a few noninflamed blackheads or whiteheads, or a moderate number of small, mildly irritated pimples. Pustules, which resemble pimples with yellow tops, may also develop. Blackheads appear as small flesh-colored bumps with a dark center. Whiteheads have a similar appearance but lack the dark center. Pimples are mildly uncomfortable and have a white center surrounded by a small area of reddened skin. People withmoderate acnehave more blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and pustules. People withsevere acnehave either very large numbers of blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, and pustules or cystic (deep) acne. In cystic acne, people have cysts that are large, red, painful, pus-filled nodules that may merge under the skin into larger, oozing abscesses. Mild acne usually does not leave scars. However, squeezing pimples or trying to open them in other ways increases inflammation and the depth of injury to the skin, making scarring more likely. The cysts and abscesses of severe acne often rupture and, after healing, typically leave scars. Scars may be tiny, deep holes (icepick scars); wider pits of varying depth; or large, irregular indentations. Acne scars last a lifetime and, for some people, are cosmetically significant and a source of emotional stress. Scars may be dark. Acne commonly causes whiteheads (arrow), blackheads, and pimples. Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD. This photo shows large blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones). © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows blackheads (open comedones) in the ear. © Springer Science+Business Media © Springer Science+Business Media Acne conglobatais the most severe form of acne, causing severe scars and other complications resulting from abscesses. Severe acne can appear on the arms, abdomen, buttocks, and even the scalp. Acne fulminansandpyoderma faciale(also called rosacea fulminans) are two possibly related and rare types of severe acne that typically occur suddenly. 