Acne: Should I see my doctor? - Quest Diagnostics Patient Health Library

1. Get the Facts

Your options

See a doctor for your acne.
Care for your acne at home.

Key points to remember

You may not need to see a doctor if you can control your acne by gently washing your skin with soap or by using lotions or creams that you can buy at the grocery store or drugstore.
You may want to see a doctor for your acne if:
- Home treatment does not work and your acne gets worse.
- Your pimples are large and hard or filled with fluid. This is called cystic acne.
- You avoid going out on dates or to parties.
- You feel embarrassed or depressed because of acne.
You may want to see a doctor sooner if one or both of your parents had severe acne and scarring.

FAQs

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin problem that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores.

More than 85 out of 100 teens get at least a mild form of acne. That means that 15 out of 100 don't get it. Acne can range from mild to severe and may or may not need a doctor's care.

Severe acne can cause scars and make people feel bad about themselves. Most people outgrow acne by their early 20s. But some people, especially women, have acne into their 40s or 50s.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Clogged pores lead to pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. They can appear on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. These can cause painful infections and scars.

See a picture of how pimples form .

How is acne treated?

How acne is treated depends on how bad it is. Gently cleaning the area with soap or using over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide lotions, often clears up mild acne.

If these treatments don't work, your doctor may prescribe pills and lotions that contain antibiotics or other medicines.

For the most severe cases, doctors may prescribe a pill such as isotretinoin (Accutane, Sotret, or others). This medicine is usually used as a last choice, because it may cause severe birth defects and other rare but serious side effects.

2. Compare Options

	See a doctor for acne	Don't see a doctor for acne
What is usually involved?	You have appointments with your doctor. You have the cost of appointments. Your doctor will look at your acne to decide the best way to treat it. You may get one or more medicines. These may be lotions or pills. It can take 6 to 8 weeks for acne treatments to start to work.	You care for your acne at home with gentle washing and perhaps by using lotions or creams. You don't have appointments with your doctor. You don't have the cost of appointments.
What are the benefits?	Your doctor may prescribe medicine that can make your acne go away or get better. Treating acne may prevent scars from cystic acne.	Home care may help your acne go away or get better. It may not cost as much as going to the doctor. You won't have the risk of side effects from strong medicines.
What are the risks and side effects?	Medicines that your doctor prescribes can have side effects. The strongest medicine, isotretinoin, can cause birth defects.	Your acne may not get better or go away. You could have scarring.

Personal stories

Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.

If you need more information, see the topics:

Acne Vulgaris.

Should I take isotretinoin for severe acne?

Personal stories about seeing a doctor for acne

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"I know that it's normal to still have acne in your 20s, but it really bothers me that I still have so many pimples. I feel like people don't take me seriously because of my skin (though maybe that's all in my head). I'm considering a different job that would involve a lot more work with the public, and I think that my pimples will bother me even more then. I'm going to ask my doctor what I can try."

— Shelley, age 24

"Even though I have quite a few pimples and blackheads, none of them are very serious. My acne is more annoying than anything else. I feel like I should have outgrown it by now, but it's still there. If I use my benzoyl peroxide faithfully, I can keep it under control, but sometimes I forget. All in all, I guess it doesn't bother me enough to see a doctor about it."

— Alfonso, age 27

"My mom says that everyone gets zits and that I'm the only one who notices my skin. But I know that's not true. Sometimes the kids at school tease me about my pimples, and I really don't even like to go to school when my face is really broken out. I hate the way I look. So I got my mom to say "okay" about asking the doctor what I can do about it."

— Tim, age 14

"I am not all that bothered by my acne yet. I do what I can to keep it under control and just try to forget it's there. A lot of kids my age have zits. I think if I don't notice it, maybe other people won't notice it either. "

— Janet, age 15

3. Your Feelings

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to see a doctor for acne

Reasons not to see a doctor for acne

I need help to treat my acne.

I want to treat my acne on my own.

More important

Equally important

More important

I want to take prescription medicines to treat my acne.

I don't want to take prescription medicines to treat my acne.

More important

Equally important

More important

I don't mind going to a doctor for my acne.

I don't want to go to the doctor.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm not concerned about the side effects of medicines that my doctor might prescribe.

I'm very concerned about the side effects of medicines that my doctor might prescribe.

More important

Equally important

More important

I don't mind spending the money for doctor visits and medicines.

I don't want to spend the money for doctor visits and medicines.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

4. Your Decision

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Seeing a doctor

NOT seeing a doctor

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

5. Quiz Yourself

Check the facts

1. I don't need to see a doctor if washing with soap and using over-the-counter medicines are controlling my acne.

True
False
I'm not sure

You're right. You may not need to see a doctor if you can control your acne by gently washing your skin with soap and by using over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide lotions.

2. My doctor can prescribe medicines to treat bad acne that causes scarring.

True
False
I'm not sure

You're right. Your doctor can prescribe medicines to treat bad acne that causes scarring. This may include lotions and pills.

3. I should think about seeing a doctor if my acne makes me feel embarrassed or sad.

True
False
I'm not sure

That's right. You may want to see a doctor if you feel embarrassed or depressed because of your acne.

Decide what's next

1. Do you understand the options available to you?

Yes
No

2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

Yes
No

3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Yes
No

Certainty

1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?

Not sure at all

Somewhat sure

Very sure

2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.

I'm ready to take action.
I want to discuss the options with others.
I want to learn more about my options.

3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.