what should i expect for my first visit to the dermatologist? i have acne. what can i expect?

Question

Should i go to my regular doctor for acne first and see if he recommends me to a dermatologist?

Answer 1

Effective Rx: A good medical history, a focused physical exam, and the gentlest prescription that is likely to be effective. A follow-up appointment. And effective treatment of your acne. You have made a wise decision.

Answer 2

Yes: Dermatologists classify acne into three types: comedonal (black and whiteheads), inflammatory(pimples), and cystic (deep acne cysts). Comedonal acne responds well to topical treatments (benzoyl peroxide, retina, etc), while inflammatory acne may need a combination of topicals and oral medications. Most patients with cystic acne do best with oral antibiotics or accutane.

Answer 3

Many: There are whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts.

Answer 4

See below: Acne results from oil overproduction (often due to hormones), clogged pores, p acnes bacteria, & resultant inflammation from your immune system recognizing infection. Effective acne treatments target these causes: benzoyl peroxide & antibiotics kill bacteria, retinoids decrease oil, salicyclic acid & retinoids unclog pores, oral contraceptives target hormones.

Answer 5

Million $ question: Although much about the disease is known and the overactivity and dysfunction of the sebaceous glands comp, i cared by secondary bacterial colonization has been described and treated the exact cause is not definitively known.

Answer 6

Causes of acne: Acne has a number of different causes: 1. Genetics-if acne is common in your family, you have a higher chance of having it 2. Hormones, primarily androgens, cause oil glands to grow & produce more sebum. Women with hormone imbalance often have cystic acne. Oil and bacteria in hair follicles cause inflammation. 3. Diet-high glycemic index foods and dairy are linked to acne 4. Medications.

Answer 7

Acne cause: It is caused by the bacterium, p. Acnes. It eats the oils of your sebaceous (oil) glands and creates, as a byproduct, acne. It is treatable with either otc or rx meds. By the way, eating chocolate does not cause acne.

Answer 8

Various causes: Acne is based in hair follicles. Secretion of oil glands, dead skin cells and a bacteria( proprionobacterium acnes) within a hair follicle trigger a cascade of signals in your body that leads to inflammation: ie. The red bumps and pus bumps of acne. Hormone levels and stress can contribute to acne and possibly dairy, but greasy foods and chocolate have not been proven to make acne worse.

Answer 9

Hormones, diet?: Androgens ("male hormones" such as testosterone) are clearly implicated in causing acne. There is good circumstantial evidence that high glycemic index diet plays a role, too. Hunter/gatherer people rarely have problems with acne until adopting high glycemic index "western" diets. Hormones in dairy may be another source.

Answer 10

Acne cause(s): The three major factors that contribute to acne formation include irregular shedding of surface skin cells that clog and inflame pores, overproduction of sebum that mixes with dead skin cells to form a soft plug in hair follicles/pores and bacterial build up. Androgens, pregnancy-related hormonal changes, some medications can worsen acne. Certain foods have been implicated in aggravating acne.

Answer 11

Hormones: Despite pop claims, cleanliness, diet, and fitness have little real impact. Around puberty, hormones thicken the outermost layer of the skin, enlarge the sebaceous glands, and invite the acne bacteria to live and cause trouble there. All acne can be controlled nowadays; one possibility for an 18 year old lady is the oral contraceptive pill if you can take and want it.

Answer 12

Well ... maybe: With recent advances in acne treatment, you will want someone who finds acne interesting. That can be a family doc, dermatologist or even a plastic surgeon. Call before your appointment and ask, "does the doctor like treating acne?" you deserve someone who has taken the time to keep up on the research and not just prescribe an antibiotic. Do your homework and you'll be satisfied.

Answer 13

Depends on severity: For the most part, family physicians are trained to take care of simple acne-- using topical medications and oral antibiotics. But if you have acne that does not respond to routine acne medications, it's time to consider seeing a dermatologist. You family physician may not be updated on all the new advances in acne treatments (creams, pills, peels, laser treatments).

Answer 14

Age 12-14 years: People begin to have some acne problems as they enter puberty, because that is when hormonal changes happen.

Answer 15

Early Teens: Early teenage years is when acne typically appears and is a rite of passage for so many young adolescents. Fortunately most cases are transient and can be handled with good skin hygiene. Areas of the face with more oily glands (sebaceous skin) , known as the t-zone. Across the brows and then right down the nose to the mouth represents the areas of most trouble.

Answer 16

See a specialist: This condition may need some close collaboration from you and your dermatologist.

what should i expect for my first visit to the dermatologist? i have acne. what can i expect?

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