Condition6 min read
Acne
A common skin disease in which hair follicles clog and pimples form, mostly on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. It is common in teenagers and young adults, can leave scars, and can be treated with creams and medicines.
According to MedlinePlus: it can affect anyone but is common in teenagers and young adults, and no one knows exactly what causes it; hormonal changes (in adolescence and pregnancy) are thought to play a role. According to the NHS, spots range from mild to severe and include whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts, and acne can affect mental health.
Both sources state that the underlying mechanism is blocked hair follicles (by excess oil and dead skin cells, per the NHS). Treatments range from self-care and over-the-counter products (salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) to prescription topical treatments (retinoids and antibiotics) and oral medicines (antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives and isotretinoin). This page does not cover doses or severity grading.
In one minute12
- What is it?
- A skin condition that causes spots because hair follicles become blocked.
- Who is usually affected?
- Common in teenagers and young adults, but it can affect anyone.
- Acute or chronic?
- Severity varies; it may leave scars and may affect mood.
- Main symptoms
- Spots, lumps under the skin and oily skin, most often on the face, chest and back.
- Red flags?
- No emergency is listed in this page's sources; see a doctor if it is severe or deep, if signs of infection appear, or if it affects your mental well-being.
- Preventable?
- No proven prevention is given in this page's sources; gentle skin care and not picking at spots help.
What is it?
According to MedlinePlus: “Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up”, and most appear on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. The NHS describes it as a common skin condition that causes spots ranging from mild to severe.
Causes
MedlinePlus says: “No one knows exactly what causes acne”, but hormonal changes during adolescence and pregnancy are possible causes. The NHS states that it happens when hair follicles become blocked by excess oil and dead skin cells.
The NHS adds contributing factors: hormonal changes (puberty, periods and pregnancy), conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and rosacea, some medicines, and oily skin-care products. MedlinePlus denies that greasy foods or chocolate cause acne with strong evidence, and that dirty skin is a cause; stress does not cause it but may make it worse.
Risk factors
According to MedlinePlus, it can affect anyone but is common in teenagers and young adults. This page does not cover prevalence figures or hereditary risk factors.
Symptoms
According to the NHS: oily skin, spots, large lumps that can be painful under the skin, changes in skin colour and texture, or scars; most often on the face, chest and back. Types of spots: whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.
MedlinePlus says it is “not dangerous but can cause scars”. According to the NHS, it can affect mental health, causing anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
How is it diagnosed?
The two source pages (MedlinePlus and the NHS) did not mention a specific diagnostic method or tests.
Treatment
The treatment categories usually used are listed here; this is not a prescription. The doctor chooses the plan according to each person's condition; do not change any medicine or dose without a specialist.
MedlinePlus says its treatments include medicines and creams; over-the-counter products and laser treatment are mentioned as options.
According to the NHS: self-care includes washing the skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser, removing make-up at night, using products that do not block pores, trying salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, and wearing loose clothing; it advises against picking or squeezing spots and scrubbing the skin hard.
Prescription treatments mentioned by the NHS: topically, retinoids (such as tretinoin and adapalene) and antibiotics (such as clindamycin and erythromycin); orally, antibiotics (such as doxycycline and lymecycline), hormonal contraceptives and isotretinoin. The doctor chooses the right category with you; this page does not cover doses or precautions.
Complications
MedlinePlus mentioned that it may cause scars, and the NHS mentioned that the condition may cause changes in skin colour and texture or scars and affect mental health.
Living with it
MedlinePlus recommends cleaning the skin gently, avoiding touching it and avoiding the sun. This page does not cover the usual duration of treatment or improvement rates.
When do you need urgent help?
See your doctor within days
- See your primary care provider or doctor if self-care does not work, if the acne is severe or deep, if signs of infection appear, or if it affects your mental well-being (according to the NHS).2
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
Do chocolate or greasy food cause acne?
According to MedlinePlus there is no strong evidence for this, and dirty skin is not a cause; stress, however, may make acne worse.1
Should I squeeze spots?
The NHS advises against picking or squeezing spots and scrubbing the skin hard; this page does not cover further details.2
Questions for your doctor
- What type of acne do I have and how severe is it?
- Is self-care and over-the-counter products enough, or do I need a prescription medicine?
- Could my medicines or products be related to my acne?
- How can I reduce the risk of scarring?
- Do I need psychological support because of how acne affects me?
References
- 1MedlinePlus. Acne. medlineplus.gov/acne.htmlHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 2NHS. Acne. www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
Change log
- — Page created.
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.