Not only is acne a skin problem that teenagers are likely to suffer from but there are a number of adults who will suffer from it also. The main reason why a person has acne is that their body is producing too much oil and which then causes the pores on their skin to become blocked. If left untreated not only does it look unsightly but also in some of the more severe cases can lead to permanent damage (scarring) to a person’s skin. In this article we look at the main acne signs and symptoms.

In most cases the main area on which the acne is likely to appear is a person’s face. However, in some cases it can also appear on their neck, chest, back or shoulders also because these areas also have glands, which are able to produce sebum. But when it comes to identifying if you have acne or not you should be looking for the following.

1. In most cases the first sign of acne is when white head or black heads begin to erupt on the person’s skin. Known as Comedones by medical professionals these are produced at the hair follicle openings that will have become blocked because the body is secreting too much oil and this prevents dead skin cells from leaving the body. Also there is an increased risk that these can become infected as bacteria may well be prevented from being eliminated from the body also.

2. The next sign that a person may have acne is that spots have appeared on the skin’s surfaces, which are known as Papules. These will appear as small raised bumps on the skin’s surface and will be formed around the hair follicles. But unlike the Comedones these can become infected and inflamed and will often be red in color and are tender to touch.

3. Another form of acne that some people may get is pustules that are very similar to Papules but will have a white tip, which contains pus. This pus is made up of bacteria which if allowed to come into contact of other areas of skin can cause further eruptions of acne.

4. Nodules are much larger and solid lumps that are found beneath the surface of the skin and are very painful. These are actually caused because the oil has been able to build up deep inside the hair follicle.

5. Whilst the final sign that you may be suffering from acne is a form of spot, which looks very similar to the Nodules. But as with the Pustules it contains pus that if allowed to come into contact other areas of a person’s skin can cause further eruptions of the problem. Also if these Cysts are left untreated they can actually scarring to the skin, which can be permanent in some cases.

If you choose to leave the acne untreated this can not only lead to further outbreaks, but may well also lead to more serious damage to your skin as well. If at any time you notice you are suffering from certain acne signs and symptoms then it is advisable to seek medical assistance as soon as you can. A doctor may well find that there is some other underlying cause for your problem and this will also need to be treated along with the acne.