Acne Triggers Angst, Depression in Teens

A Norwegian study suggests that acne medications may have gotten a bad rap; for several years, the medical community has assumed these medications may lead to depression and suicidal ideation in teens. 

Dr. Jon Ander Halvorsen of the University of Oslo led a team of colleagues who analyzed surveys completed by 3,775 Norwegian teens aged 18-19 years old; they came up with quite the opposite conclusion.

According to the study results, boys with severe acne were 3 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those with no acne; girls were two times more likely to think about suicide than their acne free counterparts. 

Acne is the most common skin disease in the United States, affecting 17 million people, most of them teenagers, at any given time.  It typically appears between the ages of 12 and 25, and can vary widely in severity and presentation.

According to WebMd, hormonal changes that occur at the onset of puberty are the culprits behind outbreaks of acne.  Sex hormones called androgens cause the oil glands beneath the skin to become overly active, which, along with skin cells, can clog skin pores.
 
If a pore becomes clogged, then closes and bulges, a whitehead, or pimple appears.  A blackhead, which is also a symptom of acne, forms when a pore becomes clogged, but does not close.  The “black” part of the blockhead is caused by oxidation.

Severe acne occurs when pimples become infected and inflamed; if the condition persists and worsens, antibiotics may be prescribed. 

Stress can trigger and worsen acne, which in turn can cause depressive thoughts in teenagers – social problems and suicidal thoughts resulting from acne can make it worse, beginning a vicious cycle.

For milder forms of acne, dermatologists recommend keep the skin clean by washing regularly with cleanser and warm water.  Scrubbing too hard can actually worsen the condition, so a gentle approach is more beneficial.

For more severe cases, schedule an appointment with your child’s physician, as treating the condition is the key to scarring prevention.