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Suggest Treatment For Severe Acne

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Posted on Mon, 17 Apr 2017
Question: Is this severe acne or hives?

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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I took a look at the two pictures you sent. It looks like it may be inflammatory type acne. Hives are usually inflamed blotchy "wheels" and are intensely itchy.

Are these bumps new to you or have you had this for awhile?
Do they itch?

The reason that I am thinking it may possibly be inflammatory acne is that in addition to the small bumps, I see some dark spots that I am assuming were where previous bumps were, which left hyper pigmented spots. However, inflammatory acne usually looks redder and more inflamed.

Treatment for acne goes in a step wise fashion:
Try benzoyl peroxide (such as is in over-the-counter Clearasil). It can take a few weeks (maximally a month) to see the benefits.
If that doesn't work, then the next step is to see a dermatologist for either antibiotic treatments, or treatment with retinoids. They have other things to offer as well.

You may want to skip the initial step of trying the benzoyl peroxide as we don't know exactly whether this is acne or not. But please let me know if the areas in question are intensely itchy as that would go with hives.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (43 minutes later)
Some look new. The dark spots are from older bumps. The bumps are red though. It is not intensely itchy also.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information.

Then this is much more likely to be acne.

If you haven't tried the benzoyl peroxide before, give that a try. But if it doesn't help, then a dermatologist should be able to help.

Sometimes (but not always), acne can increase at certain times of the month due to hormonal changes. In some people it can increase in response to various foods. Also cosmetics, lotions, having hair hanging in the face, or anything that can clog up pores can increase it too, in some people. So if this is a new problem to you, you may want to do some sleuthing to try to figure out if anything is different.

I hope this information helps.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Acne

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I took a look at the two pictures you sent. It looks like it may be inflammatory type acne. Hives are usually inflamed blotchy "wheels" and are intensely itchy. Are these bumps new to you or have you had this for awhile? Do they itch? The reason that I am thinking it may possibly be inflammatory acne is that in addition to the small bumps, I see some dark spots that I am assuming were where previous bumps were, which left hyper pigmented spots. However, inflammatory acne usually looks redder and more inflamed. Treatment for acne goes in a step wise fashion: Try benzoyl peroxide (such as is in over-the-counter Clearasil). It can take a few weeks (maximally a month) to see the benefits. If that doesn't work, then the next step is to see a dermatologist for either antibiotic treatments, or treatment with retinoids. They have other things to offer as well. You may want to skip the initial step of trying the benzoyl peroxide as we don't know exactly whether this is acne or not. But please let me know if the areas in question are intensely itchy as that would go with hives.