acne
Meaning of acne: A common skin condition, acne blocks and inflames hair follicles and their attached oil glands, producing pimples, blackheads, and cysts.
Definition of acne
Acne is a common skin condition involving the hair follicles and the sebaceous glands attached to them, the small glands that produce an oily substance called sebum. It develops when a follicle becomes blocked with excess sebum and dead skin cells, creating an environment where bacteria normally present on the skin can multiply and trigger inflammation.
Acne appears in several forms, ranging from blackheads and whiteheads, in which a follicle is blocked but not inflamed, to red, inflamed pimples and, in more severe cases, deeper cysts or nodules. It occurs most often on the face, chest, and back, areas where sebaceous glands are most concentrated.
Acne is strongly associated with hormonal changes, which is why it commonly appears or worsens around puberty, though it can also occur in adults. The severity and pattern of acne vary considerably between individuals, and scarring can result when deeper, more inflamed lesions damage the surrounding skin.
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Used in a sentence
Examination of the patient's face and back revealed acne with both inflamed and noninflamed lesions.
Good to know
Acne involves both the hair follicle and its attached sebaceous gland rather than a separate structure sometimes loosely described as a hair gland, and distinguishing blocked but noninflamed lesions from inflamed ones helps characterize its severity.