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Acne
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Complications

Possible complications include:

  • Changes in skin color
  • Cysts
  • Damage to self-esteem, confidence, personality, and social life
  • Permanent facial scars
  • Side effects of Accutane (including very dry skin and mucous membranes, high triglyceride levels, liver damage, and birth defects in an unborn baby; call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug)
  • Side effects of other medications

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor or a dermatologist if:

  • Self-care measures and over-the-counter medicine have not helped after several months
  • Your acne is severe (for example, you have lots of redness around the pimples or you have cysts) or getting worse
  • You develop scars as your acne clears up

Call your pediatrician if your baby has acne that does not clear up on its own within 3 months.

References

Habif TP. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed.Mosby, Inc; 2004:162-194.

Yan AC. Current concepts in acne management. Adolesc Med Clin. Oct 2006; 17(3): 613-37; abstract x-xi.

Reviewer Info: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., 04/14/2008