Not just skin deep
Wednesday 13 October 2004
Acne's not just a skin condition; it can toy with your emotions too
Your face is the first thing that people notice when they see you.
If you've got a spot on your face, it's difficult not to feel conscious that whoever you're speaking to is gawping right at the offending blemish.
Having one spot is bad enough, but a recent survey says that around 25 per cent of young people either have or have had the skin condition acne.
Acne is not just a few pimples that pop up every now and again. It can be a distressing and painful long-term condition that not only affects sufferers physically, but mentally and socially too.
The effects of acne vary greatly between sufferers. Some people get it mildly, whereas others suffer from red, angry outbreaks, which can make it seem as if the skin is burning up, with 53 per cent of sufferers claiming the spots are painful.
It's not just your face that can be affected. Acne can also appear on the chest, upper back and shoulders.
Acne can carry on into adulthood, and the longer you have acne, the more likely it is to scar.
It's a common myth that acne is a result of poor personal hygiene or inadequate diet. In fact, acne can be genetic. If you've got acne, the chances are at least one of your parents suffered from it too. Hormone fluctuations and stress can also be responsible for outbreaks.
As if having acne wasn't enough to deal with, sufferers also have a hard time when they're teased by others. In the survey, 28 per cent of young people with acne said that they had been the victim of hurtful comments.
Luckily, acne isn't incurable, and there are a growing number of treatments around that could help. Ask a chemist or your GP for any advice. You may think it's strange to go to the doctor about spots, but it's not just your physical well being that can be affected by acne, it can be a drain on you emotionally as well.
Most GPs will be understanding and will be able to work out what sort of treatment is best for you. There are many over-the-counter treatments available too, and your pharmacist should be able to recommend something to reduce outbreaks.
Schwarz Pharma, the company who commissioned the survey and provided us with the above statistics, have produced a booklet called 'Don't Suffer - Deal With It!', which offers advice on what to do if you are suffering from acne and gives details about the range of treatments available.
For your free copy, send a stamped addressed A5 envelope to
'Don't Suffer - Deal With It!'
Schwarz Pharma Limited
Schwarz House
East Street
Chesham
Bucks
HP5 1DG
