What is bursitis?

Bursitis is painful swelling in a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa. Bursae (the plural of bursa) cushion spaces around bones and other tissue. They’re like bubble wrap that protects structures throughout your body. Bursae cushion the spaces between bones and your:

• Muscles.
• Tendons.
• Skin.

Bursitis happens when a bursa becomes irritated and swells. The most common causes of bursitis are overuse and putting too much pressure on a bursa. The pain from an inflamed bursa may develop suddenly or build up over time.

Types of bursitis

There are more than 150 bursae in your body. Bursitis can affect any of them. You’re most likely to develop bursitis in joints you use for repetitive motions or in places you put a lot of pressure, including your:

• Shoulders (subacromial bursitis).
• Elbows (olecranon bursitis — sometimes called miner’s elbow or barfly’s elbow).
• Knees (prepatellar bursitis — housemaid’s knee).
• Feet (especially near your heel, big toe or the ball of your foot).
• Hips (iliopectineal or trochanteric bursitis).
• Butt (ischial bursitis or weaver’s bottom).

Healthcare providers might refer to different types of bursitis with a specific name, but they’re all the same issue — swelling in and around a bursa.

What are bursitis symptoms?

The most common symptoms of bursitis are:

• Pain, especially when you’re moving the affected part of your body.
• A limited range of motion (how far you can move a body part).
• Swelling.

If you have an infection that’s causing bursitis, you might have other symptoms, including:

• Discoloration or redness on your skin.
• A feeling of warmth or heat.
• Fever.
• Chills.

What causes bursitis?

Repetitive motions — like a pitcher throwing a baseball or lifting heavy boxes at work — commonly cause bursitis. Spending time in positions that put pressure on a specific part of your body (such as kneeling) can cause it, too.

It’s less common, but injuries and infections can cause bursitis, as well.

Activities that can lead to bursitis include:

• Carpentry.
• Gardening and raking.
• Painting.
• Poor posture or a poorly positioned joint or bone (due to different leg lengths, bone spurs, or arthritis in a joint).
• Scrubbing.
• Shoveling.
• Playing sports like tennis, golf and baseball.
• Playing an instrument.

Bursitis risk factors

Anyone can experience bursitis. People who are more likely to develop it include:

• Athletes.
• People who do physical work or manual labor.
• Musicians.

People with certain health conditions have a higher risk of bursitis, including:

• Arthritis (especially inflammatory arthritis like gout and psoriatic arthritis).
• Diabetes.
• Thyroid disease.

How is bursitis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose bursitis with a physical exam. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and examine the area around your affected body part. Tell your provider what you were doing before you noticed symptoms for the first time and if your job or a hobby requires you to do a repetitive motion.

What tests are done to diagnose bursitis?

Your provider might use some tests to diagnose bursitis, including:

• X-rays to rule out other conditions.
• Ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to detect swollen bursae.
• A blood test to look for infection.
• An aspiration (taking a sample of fluid) of your affected bursa if they think it’s infected.

What is the best way to treat bursitis?

Usually, rest is all you’ll need to treat bursitis. Avoid the activity or positions that irritated your bursa.

Taking a break from activities that put pressure on that part of your body will give it time to heal and prevent further injury. Ask your provider how long you’ll need to rest and avoid physical activities.

Your provider might suggest at-home treatments to reduce the pain and swelling while your bursa heals:

• Elevate the injured area.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. Don’t take pain relievers for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider.
• Ice the area. Apply a cold compress or ice packs wrapped in a thin towel to the area for 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
• Apply heat (like a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel). Your provider might suggest alternating ice and heat.
• Wear a splint, sling or brace to keep the injured area supported.

Most cases of bursitis heal on their own with rest and at-home treatments. But your provider may recommend additional treatment options, including:

• Antibiotics if you have an infection.
• Physical therapy to increase your range of motion.
• Occupational therapy to learn how to move in ways that don’t stress the area.
• Corticosteroid injections to decrease inflammation and pain.
• Surgery to resect (remove) your bursa if other treatments aren’t effective and you’re still experiencing symptoms for six months or longer.

How can I prevent bursitis?

The best way to prevent bursitis is to avoid overusing your body. To prevent bursitis:

• Learn the proper posture or technique for sports or work activities.
• Ease into new exercises or activities to avoid injury.
• Avoid sitting or kneeling too long. These positions put a lot of pressure on your joints.
• Use cushions and pads when you kneel or lean on your elbows.
• Take breaks if you’re doing a repetitive task.

How long does bursitis usually last?

Bursitis is usually short-lived. Most people heal within a few weeks. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and don’t resume physical activities before your bursa has healed. Even if your pain improves, putting pressure or stress on your bursa before it’s completely healed increases your risk of reinjuring it.

Will I need to miss work or school while I’m recovering from bursitis?

If a repetitive motion that’s part of your job or studies causes bursitis, you might need to miss work or school while you’re recovering. Tell your provider about your usual routine and they’ll explain which parts of it you need to modify or take a break from while you’re resting your injured bursa.

What happens if bursitis is left untreated?

The longer you put pressure or additional stress on an injured bursa, the longer it’ll take to recover. It also increases your risk of chronic bursitis (bursitis that comes and goes in the same area).

Chronic bursitis

You can get bursitis more than once in the same area. When you have repeated bursitis episodes, it’s considered a chronic (long-lasting) condition. Bursitis may come and go. The same kind of irritation that caused the original inflammation can trigger a new episode. Repeated flare-ups may damage the bursa and reduce your mobility in that joint.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Pain that interferes with your day-to-day activities.
• Soreness that doesn’t get better in a few days with at-home treatment.
• Bursitis that comes back (recurs).
• Fever.
• Discoloration or redness, swelling or a feeling of warmth in an injured area.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• Which type of bursitis do I have?
• Will I need any tests?
• Which treatments will I need?
• How long do I need to rest?
• When can I resume sports or other physical activities?

What is the difference between bursitis and arthritis?

Arthritis and bursitis both affect your joints. Bursitis is usually a short-term issue that’s caused by overusing or putting excess stress on a bursa around one of your joints. It doesn’t create long-lasting damage unless you continue to stress the area.

Arthritis happens when cartilage in a joint breaks down over time. Arthritis is usually a long-term condition that you’ll need to manage for the rest of your life.

What is the difference between bursitis and tendinitis?

Bursitis and tendinitis are both painful conditions that happen when tissue in your body is irritated and swells. Bursitis is inflammation in one or more of your bursae.

Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons are pieces of connective tissue between muscles and bones. Tendinitis can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Doing a repetitive activity can cause both bursitis and tendinitis — like doing the same motion for a sport, or using the same part of your body for physical work frequently.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bursitis is painful, and it can be frustrating to learn your job or hobby you love caused an injury inside your body. The good news is that bursitis is usually preventable. The first step is figuring out which movements caused the irritation.

Your healthcare provider will help you find treatments that let your injured bursae heal and solutions to prevent bursitis in the future. Don’t rush your recovery — rest for as long as your provider suggests. It might be annoying to skip sports or an activity that you’re used to doing every day, but it’s important to give your body all the time it needs to heal.

What is a breast cyst?

A breast cyst is a noncancerous (benign), fluid-filled sac in your breast. It occurs when fluid fills an empty milk duct. Some cysts are too small to feel, while others grow up to several inches — large enough for you to feel and even make you uncomfortable. Clusters of cysts can form in one breast or both. Breast cysts don’t increase your risk of developing breast cancer. They also don’t “turn into” anything more serious.

You’re more likely to get breast cysts if you’re:

• Between 35 and 50 years old.
• Premenopausal (still have a menstrual cycle).
• Postmenopausal (no longer have a menstrual cycle) but take hormone therapy (HRT).

Types of breast cysts

There are three types of breast cysts:

• Simple breast cyst: Filled entirely with fluid, simple cysts are always noncancerous. There’s no solid area in the cyst and the cyst wall is smooth. They make up about 90% of all breast cysts.
• Complex breast cyst: This type of cyst, which has a mix of fluid and solid components, may be breast cancer in up to 20% of cases. Your provider typically biopsies the tissue, which means they remove part of your breast tissue and send it to a lab for analysis.
• Complicated breast cyst: A complicated cyst is fluid-filled, but may have some cloudiness to the fluid, or the borders may be somewhat irregular. Sometimes, these are aspirated with a needle biopsy and then the tissue is sent for analysis. Other times, a provider may recommend a follow-up appointment in six months because there’s just a small chance (less than 2%) of it being cancerous.

Breast cysts can also be microcysts or macrocysts. Most breast tissue contains microcysts, which are very tiny and may be seen by ultrasound or even just under a microscope. Macrocysts are larger and can often be felt.

How common are breast cysts?

Breast cysts are common. About 7% of all women and people assigned female at birth will get a breast cyst at one point in their lives.

What are the symptoms of a breast cyst?

Some cysts are so small you can’t feel them. If you have a larger breast cyst, you may feel a lump that’s:

• Soft or firm, although most are soft.
• Round and smooth with distinct edges.
• Painful or tender, especially before your menstrual cycle.
• Larger just before your period starts and smaller after your period.
• Easily movable under your skin (especially large cysts).

Breast cysts can be tiny — like a grain of rice or a pea. They can also be as large as a golf ball. Many people notice their cyst changes or becomes sore just before their period when hormone levels change. Others have nipple discharge or localized pain.

What causes breast cysts?

The exact cause of breast cysts is still unknown. Experts believe natural hormonal fluctuations may cause them to form. Breast cysts don’t usually develop after menopause when estrogen levels taper off. It’s also thought to be a part of the normal life cycle of a breast — when the milk-producing glandular tissue shrinks (involution) and fluid becomes trapped.

What are the complications of this condition?

There aren’t any life-threatening complications of breast cysts. They can become infected, or can become large, tense and painful and require aspiration.

If you have a high risk of breast cancer, your healthcare provider may recommend frequent monitoring or additional testing.

How are breast cysts diagnosed?

Healthcare providers often find breast cysts during routine mammograms that screen for breast cancer. But you may also discover a larger breast cyst on your own. To diagnose a breast cyst, your provider may:

• Perform a physical exam to feel the consistency of the lump and note its exact location.
• Order an ultrasound of your breast. This will show if the lump is solid or filled with fluid.
• Order a mammogram if you’re older than 30 or if you’re due for one.

If you’re at higher risk for cancer, your provider may also recommend a breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This is the most sensitive test to detect breast cancer early in people who are high-risk.

How is a breast cyst aspiration performed?

During needle biopsy (also called an aspiration), a healthcare provider inserts a hollow needle into the cyst. The cyst will collapse as the fluid is withdrawn.

How are breast cysts treated?

In most cases, you don’t need treatment. Simple breast cysts don’t cause any harm and sometimes even go away on their own.

If the cyst is uncomfortable, your healthcare provider can drain the fluid from it with a needle. However, the fluid could come back. If it returns and continues to be painful, you may need surgery to remove it.

For complicated or complex breast cysts, you may need more frequent checkups to keep tabs on any changes.

Do breast cysts go away?

Often, breast cysts go away on their own. It’s important to contact a healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your breasts so they can examine you. Performing breast self-exams and attending annual well visits or mammograms go a long way in noticing these changes.

What can happen if a breast cyst is untreated?

A breast cyst may not require any treatment. If it’s very small and not causing you pain, your healthcare provider may decide to give it time to go away on its own. But if you’re uncomfortable or the cyst continues to grow, draining the fluid may be the best way to treat your symptoms.

How do I prevent breast cysts?

You can’t prevent breast cysts. But regular self-exams and routine mammograms are good ways to manage overall breast health. Never assume a new lump is “just a cyst.” It’s always better to contact a healthcare provider for an exam.

Can a breast cyst be cancerous?

It can be, but the chances are low. Simple cysts are benign and make up most cases of breast lumps (about 90%). Complicated cysts are also usually benign (less than 2% risk of cancer). A complex cyst is the highest chance of being cancerous at about 14% to 23%.

Do breast cysts increase your risk of breast cancer?

Breast cysts don’t increase your breast cancer risk.

Can a breast cyst turn into a tumor?

A benign breast cyst doesn’t change to a tumor. This is a common misconception.

Are breast cysts serious?

Breast cysts are very common in women and people assigned female at birth and usually aren’t a sign of a problem.

When should I worry about a breast cyst?

Most breast cysts are harmless and shouldn’t be a cause for worry. But it’s a good idea to have your healthcare provider check out any breast cysts to be sure.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about breast cysts?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a breast cyst, consider asking your provider:

• What type of breast cyst is it (simple, complicated or complex)?
• Does it need to be aspirated, biopsied or removed?
• Do I need more frequent mammograms or ultrasounds?
• Should I continue on hormone replacement therapy?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Breast cysts are common, especially among people in their 40s. The good news is that these cysts are almost always harmless. Though cysts are common, always have your healthcare provider check out any new lumps or bumps you find. It’s always best to be cautious when it comes to your health.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition where the pores of your skin clog. Pore blockages produce blackheads, whiteheads and other types of pimples. Pimples are pus-filled, sometimes painful, bumps on your skin.

The medical term for acne is acne vulgaris.

What are the types of acne?

There are several types of acne, including:

• Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis): Fungal acne occurs when yeast builds up in your hair follicles. These can be itchy and inflamed.
• Cystic acne: Cystic acne causes deep, pus-filled pimples and nodules. These can cause scars.
• Hormonal acne: Hormonal acne affects adults who have an overproduction of sebum that clogs their pores.
• Nodular acne: Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that causes pimples on the surface of your skin, and tender, nodular lumps under your skin.

All of these forms of acne can affect your self-esteem, and both cystic and nodular acne can lead to permanent skin damage in the form of scarring. It’s best to seek help from a healthcare provider early so they can determine the best treatment option(s) for you.

Who does acne affect?

Acne usually affects everyone at some point in their lifetime. It’s most common among teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes, but acne can also occur during adulthood. Adult acne is more common among women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). You may be more at risk of developing acne if you have a family history of acne (genetics).

How common is acne?

If you have acne, know that you’re not alone. Acne is the most common skin condition that people experience. An estimated 80% of people ages 11 to 30 will have at least a mild form of acne.

Where on my body will I have acne?

The most common places where you might have acne are on your:

• Face.
• Forehead.
• Chest.
• Shoulders.
• Upper back.

Oil glands exist all over your body. The common locations of acne are where oil glands exist the most.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Symptoms of acne on your skin include:

• Pimples (pustules): Pus-filled bumps (papules).
• Papules: Small, discolored bumps, often red to purple or darker than your natural skin tone.
• Blackheads: Plugged pores with a black top.
• Whiteheads: Plugged pores with a white top.
• Nodules: Large lumps under your skin that are painful.
• Cysts: Painful fluid-filled (pus) lumps under your skin.

Acne can be mild and cause a few occasional pimples or it can be moderate and cause inflammatory papules. Severe acne causes nodules and cysts.

What causes acne?

Clogged hair follicles or pores cause acne. Your hair follicles are small tubes that hold a strand of your hair. There are several glands that empty into your hair follicles. When too much material is inside your hair follicle, a clog occurs. Your pores can clog with:

• Sebum: An oily substance that provides a protective barrier for your skin.
• Bacteria: Small amounts of bacteria naturally live on your skin. If you have too much bacteria, it can clog your pores.
• Dead skin cells: Your skin cells shed often to make room for more cells to grow. When your skin releases dead skin cells, they can get stuck in your hair follicles.

When your pores clog, substances plug up your hair follicle, creating a pimple. This triggers inflammation, which you feel as pain and swelling. You can also see inflammation through skin discoloration like redness around a pimple.

Triggers of acne

Certain things in your environment contribute to acne or they can make an acne breakout worse, including:

• Wearing tight-fitting clothing and headgear, like hats and sports helmets.
• Air pollution and certain weather conditions, especially high humidity.
• Using oily or greasy personal care products, like heavy lotions and creams, or working in an area where you routinely come in contact with grease, such as working at a restaurant with frying oil.
• Stress, which increases the hormone cortisol.
• A side effect of a medication.
• Picking at your acne.

Foods that cause acne

Some studies link particular foods and diets to acne, like:

• Skim milk.
• Whey protein.
• Diets high in sugar.

While high-sugar diets may lead to acne outbreaks, chocolate isn’t directly linked to acne.

To reduce your risk of acne, choose to eat a balanced, nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which helps reduce inflammation.

Hormones and acne

Acne is largely a hormonal condition that’s driven by androgen hormones (testosterone). This typically becomes active during teenage and young adult years. You might also notice acne forming around the time of your period as a result of hormone activity. Sensitivity to this hormone — combined with surface bacteria on your skin and substances released from your body’s glands — can result in acne.

How is acne diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can diagnose acne during a skin exam. During this exam, the provider will closely look at your skin to learn more about your symptoms. In addition, they may also ask about risk factors for acne, like:

• Are you feeling stressed?
• Do you have a family history of acne?
• If a woman or person AFAB, do you notice breakouts during your menstrual cycle?
• What medications do you currently take?

Your healthcare provider won’t need to run any diagnostic tests for acne, but they may offer tests to diagnose any underlying conditions if you have sudden, severe acne outbreaks, especially if you’re an adult.

Who treats acne?

A general healthcare provider or a dermatologist can diagnose and treat acne. If you have stubborn acne that doesn’t improve with treatment, a dermatologist can help.

How severe can acne get?

Dermatologists rank acne by severity:

• Grade 1 (mild): Mostly whiteheads and blackheads, with a few papules and pustules.
• Grade 2 (moderate or pustular acne): Multiple papules and pustules, mostly on your face.
• Grade 3 (moderately severe or nodulocystic acne): Numerous papules and pustules, along with occasionally inflamed nodules. Your back and chest may also be affected.
• Grade 4 (severe nodulocystic acne): Numerous large, painful and inflamed pustules and nodules.

How is acne treated?

There are several ways to treat acne. Each type of treatment varies based on your age, the type of acne you have and the severity. A healthcare provider might recommend taking oral medications, using topical medications or using medicated therapies to treat your skin. The goal of acne treatment is to stop new pimples from forming and to heal the existing blemishes on your skin.

Topical acne medications

Your healthcare provider may recommend using a topical acne medication to treat your skin. You can rub these medications directly onto your skin as you would a lotion or a moisturizer. These could include products that contain one of the following ingredients:

• Benzoyl peroxide: This is available as an over-the-counter product (such as Clearasil®, Stridex® and PanOxyl®) as a leave-on gel or wash. It targets surface bacteria, which often aggravates acne. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating to your skin.
• Salicylic acid: This is available over the counter for acne as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging.
• Azelaic acid: This is a natural acid found in various grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It kills microorganisms on the skin and reduces swelling.
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives): Retinol, such as Retin-A®, Tazorac® and Differin®, which is available without a prescription, breaks up blackheads and whiteheads and helps prevent clogged pores, the first signs of acne. Most people are candidates for retinoid therapy. These medications aren’t spot treatments and must be used on the entire area of skin affected by acne to prevent the formation of new pimples. You often need to use these for several months before noticing positive results.
• Antibiotics: Topical antibiotics like clindamycin and erythromycin control surface bacteria that aggravate and cause acne. Antibiotics are more effective when combined with benzoyl peroxide.
• Dapsone: Dapsone (Aczone®) is a topical gel, which also has antibacterial properties. It treats inflamed acne.

Oral acne medications

Oral acne medications are pills that you take by mouth to clear your acne. Types of oral acne medications could include:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat acne caused by bacteria. Common antibiotics for acne include tetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline. These are best for moderate to severe acne.
• Isotretinoin (Amnesteem®, Claravis® and Sotret®): Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid. Isotretinoin shrinks the size of oil glands, which contributes to acne formation.
• Contraceptives: The use of certain contraceptives can sometimes help women and people AFAB who have acne. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved several types of birth control pills for treating acne. Some brand names include Estrostep®, Beyaz®, Ortho Tri-Cyclen® and Yaz®. These pills contain a combination of estrogen (the primary AFAB sex hormone) and progesterone (a natural form of steroid that helps regulate menstruation).
• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is helpful for some people with acne, especially if you experience acne flare-ups during menstruation or irregular periods caused by excess androgen (a hormone). Hormone therapy consists of low-dose estrogen and progesterone (birth control pills) or a medication called spironolactone that blocks the effect of certain hormones at the level of your hair follicles and oil glands.

Additional acne therapies

If topical or oral medications don’t work well for your acne or if you have scars from your acne, a healthcare provider may recommend different types of acne therapies to clear your skin, including:

• Steroids: Steroids can treat severe acne with injections into large nodules to reduce inflammation.
• Lasers: Lasers and light therapy treat acne scars. A laser delivers heat to the scarred collagen under your skin. This relies on your body’s wound-healing response to create new, healthy collagen, which encourages growth of new skin to replace it.
• Chemical peels: This treatment uses special chemicals to remove the top layer of old skin. After removal of the top layer of skin, new skin grows in smoother and can lessen acne scars.

How do antibiotics treat acne?

Antibiotics are medications that target bacteria. Some used to treat acne also can decrease inflammation. Bacteria can clog your pores and cause acne. Antibiotics are responsible for:

• Blocking bacteria from entering your body.
• Destroying bacteria.
• Preventing bacteria from multiplying.

A healthcare provider will recommend antibiotics if you have acne caused by bacteria or if you have an infection. Antibiotics get rid of an infection if bacteria gets into a popped pimple, which can swell and become painful. This medication isn’t a cure for acne and you shouldn’t take it long-term to treat acne.

How can I make my acne go away at home?

If you have acne, you can start an at-home skin care routine to help your acne go away by:

• Washing your skin at least once daily with warm (not hot) water and a gentle cleanser. Cleansers are over-the-counter skin care products that help clean your skin.
• Washing your skin after you exercise or sweat.
• Avoid using skin care products with alcohol, astringents, toners and exfoliants, which can irritate your skin.
• Removing your makeup at the end of the day or before you go to bed.
• Choosing an oil-free moisturizer to apply on your skin after cleansing.
• Avoid popping, picking or squeezing your acne. Let your skin heal naturally to prevent scars from forming on your skin.

If your at-home skin care routine isn’t effective at treating acne, visit a healthcare provider.

Is acne treatment safe for people who are pregnant?

Many topical and oral acne treatments aren’t safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, it’s important to discuss acne treatments with your healthcare provider and notify them if you become pregnant.

How long does it take for acne to go away?

On average, it can take between one to two weeks for acne pimples to clear up on their own. With medicated treatment and a good skin care routine, you can speed up your body’s healing time to make acne go away faster. For severe acne, it can take several weeks for your acne to go away, even with treatment.

How can I prevent acne?

You can’t completely prevent acne, especially during hormone changes, but you can reduce your risk of developing acne by:

• Washing your face daily with warm water and a facial cleanser.
• Using an oil-free moisturizer.
• Wearing “noncomedogenic” makeup products and removing makeup at the end of each day.
• Keeping your hands away from your face.

What can I expect if I have acne?

Acne often goes away in early adulthood, though some people will continue to experience acne throughout adulthood. Your healthcare provider or a board-certified dermatologist can help you manage this condition. Various medications and therapies are effective forms of treatment. They target the underlying factors that contribute to acne. It may take several different types of treatment before you and your healthcare provider find one that works best for your skin. The skin care products that work for you might not work for someone else with similar symptoms.

Can acne cause scars?

Yes, sometimes acne can cause scarring. This happens when the acne penetrates the top layer of your skin and damages deeper skin layers. Inflammation makes your acne pores swell and the pore walls start to breakdown, which causes skin damage. Scarring can be a source of anxiety, which is normal. Before treatment, your healthcare provider will determine what type of acne caused your scars. There are several treatment options available for acne scars.

How does acne affect my mental health?

Acne can cause disruptions in your mental health because it affects your appearance and self-esteem. Often, acne development is out of your control if hormones cause it. This can create stress, which can influence future breakouts. Acne can be challenging for teenagers and young adults. If your acne causes you to feel anxious or it prevents you from participating in social activities with your friends and family, talk to a healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice pimples so you can start treatment immediately before scarring occurs. If you’re using an acne treatment that isn’t working to clear your acne or it causes skin irritation like itchiness or skin discoloration, visit a provider.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• What type of acne do I have?
• How severe is my acne?
• Do I need to see a dermatologist?
• What over-the-counter medications do you recommend?
• What prescription medications do you recommend?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Acne is the most common of all skin conditions and it can have an impact on your mental health and self-esteem. If you have stubborn acne, visit a healthcare provider or a dermatologist to treat your acne. Sometimes, your acne needs a little extra help to go away with a medication if at-home skin care treatments don’t work. While it may be tempting, try not to pick at your acne or pop pimples to prevent scarring. Remember that acne is temporary and will go away with the right treatment designed for your skin.

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are a type of acne (acne vulgaris). They’re open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. They look as if dirt is in the bump, but an irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle actually causes the dark spots.

Blackheads aren’t pimples. Pimples are small, painful, discolored bumps with a thick, white-yellow fluid (pus) at the tip.

Who do blackheads affect?

Blackheads typically affect teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes. However, many adults continue to have acne into their 20s, 30s and beyond. Some even develop blackheads for the first time as adults.

How common is this condition?

Blackheads are very common. Some researchers suggest that blackheads affect nearly everyone during their lives. They’re most common among adolescents, but up to 10% to 20% of adults have blackheads too.

How do blackheads affect my body?

Your face (especially your nose and chin, sometimes your cheeks), neck, back and chest are most likely to develop blackheads. However, oil (sebaceous) glands are all over your body. They release an oily lubricant called sebum that helps keep your skin and hair hydrated and shiny. As a result, though it isn’t common, blackheads sometimes appear on your butt, thighs, ears and armpits.

Blackheads don’t seriously affect your physical health, but they can affect you psychosocially (how society and social groups affect your mind) and psychologically (your self-perception and behavior). Blackheads can cause anxiety, depression, mood disorders and suicidal thoughts.

What are the symptoms of blackheads?

Blackheads are a milder form of acne. Dark, open bumps in your skin are the main characteristic of blackheads. They don’t hurt or feel uncomfortable like whiteheads.

What causes blackheads?

Sebaceous glands are located all over your body, and most of them connect to hair follicles. Blackheads and whiteheads are comedones (singular comedo). Blackheads are open comedones, and whiteheads are closed comedones. Comedones occur when a hair follicle/sebaceous gland becomes inflamed. Inflammation can occur as a result of:

• Increased sebum (oily material produced by the sebaceous gland) production.
• Abnormal formation of keratin (the protein that helps make your hair, skin and nails).
• Increased hormones (androgen).
• An increased presence of bacteria on skin that causes acne.

Are blackheads contagious?

Blackheads aren’t contagious. You can’t spread blackheads to another person through skin-to-skin contact.

How are blackheads diagnosed?

Blackheads are easy to recognize, so you don’t necessarily need a healthcare professional to diagnose them. If you have blackheads along with other severe forms of acne, see a dermatologist for treatment. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in conditions that affect your skin, hair and nails.

How are blackheads treated?

Nonprescription medications can treat blackheads. These may include:

• Salicylic acid: This is available over-the-counter for blackheads as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging.
• Azelaic acid: Barley, wheat, rye and other various grains naturally contain azelaic acid. It kills microorganisms on your skin and reduces swelling.
• Benzoyl peroxide: This is available as an over-the-counter product (such as Clearasil®, Stridex® and PanOxyl®) as a leave-on gel or wash. It targets surface bacteria, which often aggravates acne. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating to your skin. Irritation (dryness) is a common side effect.
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives): Retinoids, such as Retin-A®, Tazorac® and Differin® (which is now available without a prescription), break up blackheads and whiteheads and help to prevent clogged pores. You may notice a change in skin color or peeling. Using retinoids every other day or using them at the same time as a moisturizer can reduce these side effects.

If your blackheads don’t go away with nonprescription medications, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Prescription-strength retinoids: Prescription-strength retinoids are stronger than nonprescription retinoids.
• Oral antibiotics: Oral antibiotics reduce the bacteria that cause blackheads.
• Microdermabrasion: A dermatologist uses a specialized instrument to “sand” your skin. Removing the top layers of your skin frees the clogs that cause blackheads.
• Chemical peels: Chemical peels use a mild chemical solution to remove layers of skin and reduce blackheads.
• Laser skin resurfacing: Laser skin resurfacing directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at your blackheads. The light beams reduce the amount of oil that your sebaceous glands produce.

Are there any home remedies for blackheads?

There are a few home remedies that may help treat blackheads:

• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil can prevent or stop the growth of bacteria. Apply a small amount of tea tree oil to a cotton applicator and rub it on your blackheads.
• Sugar or salt scrubs: Sugar and salt scrubs scratch away (exfoliate) dead cells on the surface of your skin. Wet your face, apply a salt or sugar scrub to your affected areas and massage your skin in small, circular motions for up to 30 seconds. Rinse your face with water when you’re finished.
• Green tea: Wet green tea leaves can help reduce oil production in your skin. Green tea is also an antioxidant. Mix dry green tea leaves with water and massage the wet leaves into your skin in small, circular motions for up to 30 seconds. Rinse your face with water when you’re finished.

Do blackheads go away on their own?

Blackheads can sometimes go away on their own — it depends on how deep blackheads are in your skin. If a blackhead is close to the surface of your skin, it’s more likely to go away on its own. However, some blackheads can be deeply embedded in your skin. Deep, embedded blackheads are less likely to go away on their own. If you have embedded blackheads, a dermatologist or medical aesthetician can remove them.

Is it okay to squeeze out blackheads?

It can be very tempting — and satisfying — to squeeze out or pop blackheads. However, squeezing out blackheads can create several problems:

• You may not remove the entire blackhead. You may even push the blackhead further into your skin, which can cause painful irritation.
• You may introduce bacteria or more oil into the blackhead opening. Your blackheads could get bigger or even spread.
• Inflammation or scarring. Your skin is sensitive, and your nails are much stronger than your skin. When you use your nails to apply a lot of pressure to your skin to remove a blackhead, you can irritate or seriously damage your skin.

How do you get rid of deep blackheads?

Deep blackheads should be removed by a medical professional — usually a dermatologist or medical aesthetician. They use a small tool with rigid metal loops on the ends (blackhead or comedo extractor) to apply even pressure to your blackheads. They can safely remove the entire blackhead and reduce the risk of it returning.

How do you prevent blackheads?

Preventing blackheads is difficult, if not impossible, during normal hormonal changes. But some things can help:

• Wash your face daily with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
• Routinely use moisturizer.
• You don’t have to stop using makeup, but try to use “noncomedogenic” products and remove makeup at the end of each day.
• Keep your hands away from your face.

What can I expect if I have blackheads?

Blackheads often go away in early adulthood, though some people will continue to experience them throughout their lives. Your healthcare provider, medical aesthetician or dermatologist can help you manage your blackheads.

When should I see my healthcare provider about my blackheads?

See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice blackheads to start treatment immediately.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• How severe are my blackheads?
• Do I need to see a medical aesthetician or dermatologist?
• What over-the-counter medications do you recommend?
• Do I need more serious treatment?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Blackheads are a common skin condition that affects the majority of people, especially adolescents. Because it mainly affects adolescents, many people attribute blackheads as part of the transition from childhood to adulthood and don’t see a healthcare provider about them. However, despite how common they are, they can have a severe effect on your mental health. If you notice symptoms of anxiety or depression due to the presence of blackheads, talk to your healthcare provider.