How does a dermatologist diagnose acne?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:A dermatologist will be able to diagnose acne through a visual inspection and an interview. Through a series of basic questions and a physical examination, the dermatologist can typically determine the severity and plan for a course of treatment.A dermatologist will be able to diagnose acne through a visual inspection and an interview. Through a series of basic questions and a physical examination, the dermatologist can typically determine the severity and plan for a course of... More -
Dr. Susan Bershad of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Acne is one of the easiest diagnoses for a dermatologist to make. The most common location is the face, but sometimes it occurs on the upper back, chest, and shoulders.
What the doctor will look for are the following: (1) non-inflamed lesions called comedones, which include clogged pores and blackheads; and (2) inflamed lesions that are commonly know as zits, pimples, and cysts, but in medical terms are called papules, pustules, and nodules.
Your doctor will make a diagnosis of acne if you have any combination of these skin lesions on the typical body sites.
Acne is one of the easiest diagnoses for a dermatologist to make. The most common location is the face, but sometimes it occurs on the upper back, chest, and shoulders. What the doctor will look for are the following: (1) non-inflamed lesions... More
