When to See a Dermatologist for Your Acne

Acne can be an unsightly, but a harmless problem. Acne is due to a problem in the pilosebaceous unit, which is found all over the body, with some exceptions such as the soles of the feet, palms and a few others. There are a few ways to cure acne, which usually involve antibiotic medication or natural treatments.

There may be times, however, when a dermatologist can be of great help. The following will provide a brief overview on when to see a dermatologist for your acne.

Personal Considerations

If the acne causes you to have low self-esteem and experience depression, it may be better to seek professional help. It may be strange at first, especially after being told that acne will just disappear or can be cured simply by using over the counter medical treatments. However, if it is causing you to have problems with your social life, a dermatologist’s help can be invaluable. Not only can the dermatologist cure the external wound, she might also be able to handle the despair that you're experiencing.

Serious Infections

If over-the-counter medical treatments available in drugstores fail to cure the acne, then it might be a more serious form. A dermatologist’s assistance might be required to further resolve the acne problem. The dermatologist might also be able to recommend hygiene steps so you will know how to avoid outbreaks in the future.

Medication

It may also be possible that the acne might be due to taking certain medications. It is important to check with a dermatologist if you start to experience skin breakouts when using any form of medications. The doctor can give recommendations and suggestions on how to resolve the problem.

Cysts and Nodules

There are two more serious problems that are best left alone and may require professional attention. They are cysts and nodules.

Nodules are more serious forms of acne breakouts that can cause a painful mass right under the skin. Cysts are inflamed acne wounds caused when the follicle wall is damaged. Both of these skin problems should be handled by the dermatologist, and you should avoid attempting to cure these on your own. These are serious outbreaks that can cause scars on the skin unless they are treated properly by a professional.

These are just a few times that require the assistance of a dermatologist when treating acne. Proper hygiene should be observed together with the proper use of medical remedies to avoid further complications when dealing with acne.