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When You Visit Your Doctor Acne
Acne
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- At what age did your problem with acne begin?
- Do you have blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, or cysts?
- If so, what areas are involved: your face, chest, back?
- What is your skin-care routine?
- What products do you use? Do any of them help?
- What medications have you tried (e.g., benzoyl peroxide, Retin-A, antibiotics, Accutane)?
- If you are female, does your acne get worse around the time of your menstrual period and do you have regular menstrual periods?
- What medicines do you take, including over-the-counter medicines and birth-control pills?
- Have you been developing extra body or facial hair?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Skin exam
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Blood tests (liver function tests, cholesterol, or if you are female, perhaps a pregnancy test if you are taking the medicine Accutane)
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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