The most common acne symptoms include:
What is Acne?
A
cne is a common condition characterized by skin lesions that are caused when hair follicles get plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne is most common in teenagers because the skin’s oil content changes in the teen years. However, it can affect people of any age and appear throughout the human body.
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Acne Symptoms and Associated Conditions
- Whiteheads: Plugged skin pores that are closed
- Blackheads: Plugged skin pores that are open
- Papules: Sensitive red bumps
- Pimples: Papules gathering pus at the tips
- Nodules: Solid, painful lumps under the skin
- Cystic lesions: Painful, pus-filled lumps under skin
Of these, nodules and cystic lesions are relatively rare. Many teens will experience periodic acne episodes (breakouts) consisting of whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Hormonal changes and other factors influence the timing of these breakouts, which tend to taper off after the teen years.
For some acne patients, the condition can be persistent. It may last into the 20s or periodically recur throughout life. The longer someone has untreated acne, the more likely they are to have scarring and other more severe complications. Acne can detract significantly from mental health and self-image.
Acne in women over 25 is more common than acne in men of the same age. Flare-ups can be brought on by hormonal changes and are not usually cause for alarm. However, a sudden episode of acne in an adult with no recent history of it may suggest an underlying heath disorder, such as an allergic reaction.
Acne Medication and Treatments
Acne treatments are widely available over the counter. Most cases of acne will clear up without the need for a prescription acne medication. Common acne treatments focus on removing oil and irritants from the upper layer of the skin to make it less likely that hair follicles will become clogged.
Persistent acne for three months or more with no visible improvement after over the counter treatment may require a doctor’s help. Dermatologists, who study conditions of the skin, are usually consulted. A dermatologist may recommend powerful acne medication in the form of a prescription cream.
Acne can become painful and lead to scarring if a breakout is attended by severe inflammation or by bacterial infection. A dermatologist can prescribe acne medication that will help with these symptoms or refer the patient to a doctor who can.
Acne Recovery and Lifestyle Changes
The most severe cases of acne may require several months or even years to treat. However, most patients will eventually overcome acne without the need for many, if any, significant lifestyle changes. Contrary to popular belief, neither dirty skin nor oily foods contribute to acne. However, patients who wear makeup may be advised to switch to an oil-free brand. Likewise, patients should be alert to future breakouts and see a doctor if needed.
Current Acne Clinical Trials
Current acne clinical research focuses on new acne treatments for acne patients suffering from the most intense and prolonged cases, a small fraction of patients overall. This list includes all current acne clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. To tell us about a new acne clinical trial, contact us today.
- 2940nm Er:YAG Laser and 1927nm Thulium Laser in Improving Atrophic Acne Scars on March 24, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Atrophic Acne ScarInterventions: Device: 1927nm thulium laser; Device: 2940nm Er:YAG laserSponsor: Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityRecruiting
- Clinical Investigation on the Safety and Clinical Performance of Papix Acne Scar. on March 19, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Acne; ScarsIntervention: Device: Papix acne scarSponsor: Relife S.r.l.Recruiting
- Digital Strategies for Patients With Chronic Dermatosis With Pruritus / Skin Picking Disorder on February 1, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Skin-Picking; Acne; DermatosisInterventions: Behavioral: internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy; Behavioral: Quality of life improving interventionSponsor: Hospital de Clinicas de Porto AlegreRecruiting
- Tailored Patient-Provider Communication (TPPC): Evaluating the Impact of TPPC in Dermatology Patients on November 18, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Psoriasis; Atopic Dermatitis; AcneInterventions: Other: Tailored Patient-Provider Communication; Other: Non-Tailored Patient-Provider CommunicationSponsors: University of Southern California; National Psoriasis FoundationRecruiting
- Hydrogen Peroxide to the Wound Following Surgical Incision Affecting Cultures in Primary Shoulder Arthroplast on October 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Primary Anatomic or Reverse Total Shoulder ArthroplastyIntervention: Other: H2O2 application to incisionSponsor: University of FloridaRecruiting
- Oral Probiotics on the Microbiome and Lipidome in Acne Vulgaris on October 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Acne VulgarisInterventions: Dietary Supplement: Probiotic; Dietary Supplement: PlaceboSponsors: Integrative Skin Science and Research; Microbiome labsRecruiting
- Characterizing SAPHO With 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT on October 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: SAPHO SyndromeIntervention: Drug: 68Ga-FAPISponsor: Peking Union Medical College HospitalRecruiting
- Weekly Isotretinoin Therapy Study on October 20, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Acne VulgarisIntervention: Drug: IsotretinoinSponsor: Medical University of South CarolinaRecruiting
- Teledermatology vs. Face-to-Face Visits in the Follow-Up of Patients With Acne on October 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Acne VulgarisInterventions: Device: Teledermatology; Other: Face-to-face consultationSponsor: University Hospital Inselspital, BerneRecruiting
- Fractional CO2 Laser Combined With PRP Fluid Versus Gel in Treatment of Acne Scars on October 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Condition: Atrophic Acne ScarIntervention: Combination Product: Fractional laser with PRP fluid or PRP gelSponsor: Yasmine Ahmed Abd El-Maguid El-HadidyRecruiting
- Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of a Probiotic in Acne on September 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Acne; Acne VulgarisInterventions: Dietary Supplement: Probiotic Bths-08; Dietary Supplement: PlaceboSponsor: Bionou Research, S.L.Recruiting
- Profiling the Skin Microbiome in Response to Altreno in Acne Patients on September 14, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Conditions: Acne; HealthyInterventions: Drug: Altreno; Drug: Benzoyl peroxideSponsors: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Ortho DermatologicsRecruiting
Conclusion
Virtually everyone will experience acne at some point in life. When acne lingers, however, it should be treated as a serious skin condition. Acne clinical trials offer the opportunity to help prevent and treat long-term acne. Acne clinical research is continuing to uncover important information on hormonal health and other factors. Acne may never disappear for good, but better acne treatments and acne medications are on the horizon.
Match to Acne Clinical Trials
- Access to cutting-edge treatments
- Latest clinical trials
- Find trials in your area