Acne - What are the symptoms?

If you have acne, you get spots on your skin. They usually appear on your face, neck, back, chest or arms.

The main symptoms of acne are:[1] [2] [3]

Blackheads (small black spots) or whiteheads (white bumps) on your skin
Greasy skin
Red, inflamed spots
Spots with pus in them
Painful spots that go deep into your skin. These may cause scars as they heal.

Acne doesn't cause serious harm. And you can't pass it on to other people. But you may not like the way it looks. You may feel upset, depressed or embarrassed, and be worried about scars.[2] Getting treatment early can prevent scarring.[4] [5]

References

Healy E, Simpson N. Acne vulgaris. BMJ. 1994; 308: 831-833.
Mallon E, Newton JN, Klassen A, et al. The quality of life in acne: a comparison with general medical conditions using generic questionnaires. British Journal of Dermatology. 1999; 140: 672-676.
Brown SK, Shalita AR. Acne vulgaris. Lancet. 1998; 351: 1871-1876.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence. Referral practice: a guide to appropriate referral from general to specialist services. December 2001. Available at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=ReferralAdvice (accessed on 27 March 2007).
British National Formulary. Acne and rosacea. BNF 53. March 2007. Section 13.6. British Medical Association, and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Also available at http://bnf.org (accessed on 27 March 2007).

Glossary

inflammation: Inflammation is when your skin or some other part of your body becomes red, swollen, hot and sore. Inflammation happens because your body is trying to protect you from germs, from something that's in your body and could harm you (like a splinter) or from things that cause allergies (these things are called allergens). Inflammation is one of the ways in which your body heals an infection or an injury.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.