Acne is a common skin disorder caused by clogged hair follicles and overactive sebaceous glands, resulting in inflamed pimples and cysts. It affects nearly 80% of people ages 11-30 during puberty when hormones increase sebum production. The sebum and skin cells plug the follicles, allowing bacteria to grow and cause inflammation. Treatment aims to reduce scarring and involves topical or oral medications prescribed based on severity.

1. Common Skin Disorders
• The skin is one of the most vulnerable organs of
the body. Though seldom life threatening, skin
disorders can be uncomfortable and may cause
chronic disabilities. In addition, because the skin is
so visible, skin disorders can lead to psychological
stress.

2. ACNE

4. What is acne?
• Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and
sebaceous glands. With acne, the sebaceous
glands are clogged, which leads to pimples and
cysts.
• Acne is very common – nearly 8O percent of
individuals in the US between 11 and 30 years
old will be affected by this condition at some
point. Acne most often begins in puberty. During
puberty, the male sex hormones (androgens)
increase in both boys and girls, causing the
sebaceous glands to become more active -
resulting in increased production of sebum.

6. How does acne develop?
• The sebaceous glands produce oil (sebum)
which normally travels via hair follicles to the
skin surface.
• However, skin cells can plug the follicles,
blocking the oil coming from the sebaceous
glands. When follicles become plugged, skin
bacteria (called Propionibacterium acnes, or P.
acnes) begin to grow inside the follicles,
causing inflammation. Acne progresses in the
following manner

7. How does acne develop?
• Eventually, the plugged follicle bursts, spilling oil,
skin cells, and the bacteria onto the skin surface.
In turn, the skin becomes irritated and pimples
or lesions begin to develop. The basic acne
lesion is called a comedo.

8. What causes acne?
• Rising hormone levels during puberty may cause
acne. In addition, acne is often inherited
• Hormone level changes during the menstrual cycle
in women
• Certain drugs (such as corticosteroids, lithium, and
barbiturates)
• Oil and grease from the scalp, mineral or cooking oil,
and certain cosmetics may worsen acne
• Bacteria inside pimples
• Acne can be aggravated by squeezing the pimples
or by scrubbing the skin too hard.

9. What are the symptoms of acne?
Acne can occur anywhere on the body.
However, acne most often appears in areas
where there is a high concentration of
sebaceous glands, including the following:
• Face
• Chest
• Upper back
• Shoulders
• Neck

10. Treatment of acne
• The goal of acne treatment is to minimize
scarring and improve appearance. Treatment
for acne will include topical or systemic drug
therapy. Depending upon the severity of acne,
topical medications (medications applied to the
skin) or systemic medications (medications
taken orally) may be prescribed by your child's
physician.
• Topical medications to treat acne
Topical medications are often prescribed to
treat acne. Topical medication can be in the
form of a cream, gel, lotion, or solution