>> General Info about Acne / Pimples
Acne known as Pimples is a common disorder developed in teenagers and at times in young adults due to the inflammation of skin, as superficial skin eruption caused by the blockage of skin pores.

Usually acne appears on the face but can extend to neck, chest and back also.

>> What are the causes of Acne ?
During adolescence, there is a sudden spurt in the secretion of sex hormones that cause increased formation of oils (sebum) from the sebaceous glands of the skin.

Sebaceous glands are secretary glands that open into hair follicles and skin pores. There is accumulation of oily secretions from the sebaceous glands due to blockage of the external pores in the skin. Consequently, the oils and dead skin cells are trapped, and form small "plugs" known as "comedones" within the hair follicles of the skin. Bacteria act on these plugs aggravating the infection and causes the inflammation of the skin eruptions.

>>What are the symptoms of Acne ?
Acne appears as rash on the face or neck. This rash can become a red and painful pustule.
Presence of white-heads and black-heads can also lead to inflammation. Inflammation can be formed around the skin lesions.

>>How can we diagnose Acne ?
Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin.
Normally no tests are required.

>>How can Acne be treated ?
1. Prevention:-Treatment is designed to prevent formation of new lesions and aid the healing of the old lesions.
2. Medicines:- that dry up the oil or promote skin peeling is applied on the affected part of skin. Antibiotics are applied if the acne is infected.
3. Surgical intervention:- If the acne does not heal after a few days and produces cysts surgical intervention including professional (chemical) skin peeling maybe required. Sometimes removal of eruptions, scars and removal or drainage of cysts maybe necessary.

>>Learn more about Acne / Pimples.
Common facts about Acne
1. Acne appears as white or red bumps and are painful to touch.
2. White-heads are formed due to trapped oil and debris within the hair follicles of the skin.
3. If white-heads are formed in the deeper layers, a soft, fluctuant mass called a cyst appears.
4. Black-heads are open and dark in color. This is due to melanin pigment and not dirt.
5. The plugged wall of the follicle ruptures on to the skin surface, and can get infected by bacteria and form pimples or "zits".
6. Small red bumps are called papules. Larger red bumps are called nodules.
7. A pustule is a whitish yellow squeezable spot due to the accumulation of pus inside. After the lesions heal, they leave behind scars that form permanent marks on the skin.