Serious Disorders That Could Be More Than Acne
Acne, the most common skin condition in the United State, occurs when hair follicles or pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This condition is characterized by red bumps, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and sometimes cysts. Although it can develop anywhere on the body, acne is most commonly found on the face, back, and chest. In some cases, acne can become infected with white pus and may be a sign of a more serious health complication.
Get to know the full details on serious conditions that may look like acne, but could be more than that, now.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, often shortened to just PCOS, is a hormone condition that commonly affects women over twenty-five years old, though it can affect teens as well. It is caused by an adverse reaction to the hormone insulin. Symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome include weight gain, irregular ovulation and menstrual cycles, thinning hair, and most notably, acne. Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome tend to see acne that occurs underneath the skin in the form of tender knots rather than surface bumps. Areas most commonly affected are the chin, upper neck, jawline, and cheeks. Treatment for polycystic ovarian syndrome is crucial to prevent lasting damage to the woman's body, serious side effects, and to boost the affected woman's self-esteem.
Keep reading to discover another condition an individual's skin could be revealing.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an untreatable hormonal disorder characterized by a variety of genetic disorders that inhibit the adrenal gland's ability to produce certain hormones. Acne is a common symptom of this condition, as are ambiguous genitalia in females, excessive body hair, rapid growth in childhood (but short stature overall), as well as adrenal crisis. Individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia usually produce either too many or too few sex hormones, such as testosterone. According to Doctor Bethanee Schlosser at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, individuals "with [congenital adrenal hyperplasia] have a problem with the adrenal glands, which produce and metabolize hormones."
Next, learn about another skin condition more serious than acne.
Psoriasis
In some cases, acne can occur in addition to psoriasis, which is a skin condition that develops when an accumulation of dead skin cells pile up on each other to form a collection of dry, itchy scales. When acne pimples start showing signs of piling up on top of each other and becoming scaly, it might be a sign of psoriasis. These scales may appear red or white and do not usually get infected as acne does. The rash may also spread to the nails or joints, unlike acne. If acne and psoriasis coincide, it is crucial for affected individuals to obtain treatment for both, ideally through recommendations from their primary doctor or a dermatologist, or they run the risk of not being successful eliminating both and could aggravate one.
Reveal another severe skin condition associated with acne now.
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, dry, cracked skin. Both eczema and acne commonly affect the face, but acne usually affects the central or middle part of the face while eczema occurs as a butterfly-shaped rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks. Whereas acne is bumpy and does not usually itch, eczema will present itself in the form of raised, itchy bumps that may occur as patches on the outer parts of the arms and legs. It can also appear on the hands and ankles. Once again, treatment for both conditions is important for the best chances of success. The best recommendations include choosing hypoallergenic products and those without fragrances as much as possible, and the appropriate moisturizer and cleanser for one's skin type as well.
Continue reading to learn the connection between this next condition and acne.
Diabetes
Although acne is not an indication of diabetes, many individuals who suffer from type two diabetes also experience severe acne. This is likely due to the high amount of refined or processed sugar and carbohydrates in their diet. Similar to polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes occurs when there is sensitivity to the hormone insulin. Limiting or removing refined sugars and processed carbohydrates from the diet should help clear up acne quite a bit. However, affected individuals are also encouraged to examine their skincare routine and make the necessary adjustments to it. If in doubt of what they need, they may wish to consult a dermatologist. There are also over-the-counter medications and topical ointments available to help reduce acne even more.
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Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction can lead to itching, redness, and rashes on the skin. When the allergic reaction looks like raised bumps, some individuals may mistake it for acne. There are a few different types of skin-based allergic reactions. One is contact dermatitis, which occurs when the skin touches something it's allergic to. With this rash, there may be small blisters in addition to the redness and itching on the skin. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as harmful. Because it thinks the body is being attacked, it goes into overdrive. The immune system releases a chemical called histamine, which is responsible for the rash and other uncomfortable allergy symptoms. Individuals should pay attention to when their symptoms become worse to try to identify a pattern. If an individual changed anything like soap, shampoo, or conditioner, they may be allergic to the new product.
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Dehydration
When an individual is dehydrated, their body hasn't had enough fluids for the day. Even if they've been drinking a lot of coffee or caffeinated soda, they may still get dehydrated. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means individuals will lose as much or more water than they take on. The best fluid to drink is water, since pure water helps clean the kidneys and restore overall function. Fruit juices and sports drinks with high electrolyte contents are also good, especially if an individual is already dehydrated. Dehydrated skin doesn't have enough water in it, so it may become itchy and dry. An affected individual's skin might seem dull and blotchy, which can be mistaken for acne. They'll also be able to notice fine lines more easily because of the lack of elasticity. If an individual's skin seems dry in places even though they drink enough water, they should try adding a daily moisturizer to their routine.
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Folliculitis
Though folliculitis is one of the most common skin conditions, many individuals aren't aware they have it. The inflammation and infection associated with folliculitis are both easy to mistake for acne. In the beginning stages, the condition will often look like red bumps or pimples with whiteheads. These abnormalities will be centered around the hair follicles, which are small pockets located in the skin from which hair sprouts. If individuals don't treat the underlying fungal or bacterial infection, it may spread to other parts of the skin, leading to the development of crusty sores that don't seem to heal. Though the condition isn't fatal, it can be uncomfortable and sore. In severe cases, patients may develop scarring and permanent hair loss.
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Rosacea
Rosacea is a very common skin condition that occurs when the blood vessels in the face are visible. There may also be visible redness on or underneath the skin. The condition can affect anyone, but it's more easily visible on light skin than dark skin. Symptoms of rosacea may go through flare-ups for several weeks or months, then die down. Many individuals mistake their rosacea for an allergic reaction or acne. Fair-skinned middle-aged women are more likely to develop the condition than anyone else. There aren't any known cures for rosacea, but there are many available treatments to reduce the symptoms. If individuals have persistent redness on their face they suspect is more than just acne, they should consult a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Hormonal Imbalance Aside From PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome isn't the only hormonal imbalance that can cause issues with the skin. A hormonal imbalance occurs any time there's too little or too much of a certain hormone in an individual's bloodstream. Hormones regulate nearly every function the body performs, so even small imbalances can have a big impact. There are multiple endocrine glands throughout the body, and when any of them don't function properly, they cause imbalances. One common hormone imbalance is hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid doesn't make enough hormone. This can lead to weight gain, depression, fatigue, and skin issues, including acne. If individuals have elevated testosterone levels, they're more likely to develop skin issues like acne and sores.