Acne Symptoms and Diagnosis
Acne symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. They include:
• Excess oil in the skin
• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Papules—small pink bumps that may be tender to the touch
• Pimples—inflamed, pus-filled bumps that may be red at the base (also called "pustules")
• Nodules—large, painful, solid lumps that are lodged deep within the skin
• Cysts—deep, inflamed, pus-filled lumps that can cause pain and scarring
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor will examine the areas of your skin with the most sebaceous glands, which is where acne is most likely to occur. These are the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. In some situations (usually only if your acne is severe), you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders, a dermatologist.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
