Acne

Acne, common skin disease caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands, resulting in pimples on the face and upper trunk. Acne occurs most frequently between the ages of 14 and 19 years, but cases at up to 40 years may occur. An inflamed acne lesion is preceded by a noninflamed lesion (a whitehead or blackhead), which is a plugged sebaceous gland. How these lesions form is uncertain. Blackheads become inflamed either because of local production of irritant fatty acids by bacteria or because of bacterial infection.

Patients with mild acne need only topical therapy, such as the application of a preparation containing either retinoic acid (a derivative of vitamin A) or benzoyl peroxide. Patients with more severe acne require antibiotic drugs as well as topical treatment.