Acne Assessment Questionnaire

Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques to assess the symptom: Acne. These will include a physical examination and possibly diagnostic tests. (Note: A physical exam is always done, diagnostic tests may or may not be performed depending on the suspected condition) Your doctor will ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to openly share any pertinent information to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

It is also very important to bring an up-to-date list of all of your all medical conditions, medications including dosages, and names of numbers of any specialist you see.

Create your printable checklist by answering questions that your doctor may ask below:

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How long have you had problems with acne?
What areas of the body are affected?
What products or medications have you tried so far?
What medications do you currently take?
Why: Some medications may exacerbate acne e.g. lithium, phenytoin, topical and systemic corticosteroids, quinine, oral contraceptives.
Have you been under emotional stress?
Why: can cause exacerbations.
What is your occupation?
Why: Workers exposed to petroleum products are at risk of acne.
Where have you been experiencing your acne?
Why: Different patterns of acne can reflect differing underlying processes. For example acne rosacea occurs almost only on the face, whereas acne vulgaris can occur on the face, neck, chest and back.
How long have you had this acne?
Why: Acne which has only recently begun in an adolescent may simply be a part of puberty and the hormonal changes which occur at that time. Acne which continues however past adolescence (particularly in women) may be the result of a less innocuous cause such as hirsutism.
Have you noticed anything which triggers your acne such as alcohol, particular foods or any skin cleansing products?
Why: Some types of acne such as acne rosacea can be triggered by consuming alcohol or particular (usually spicy) foods. Alternatively, other types of acne (acne vulgaris) may appear to be triggered by insufficient or ineffective cleansing of the affected skin thus allowing skin secretions such as sebum to accumulate.
Have you been taking any oral contraceptive pill?
Why: Some oral contraceptives can increase acne, whilst others can decrease it.
What medications do you take?
Why: There are a wide variety of medications which can exacerbate or cause acne. These include: steroids, iodide/bromide, chloral hydrate, lithium, antiepileptics and quinine.
When was your last period and how long are your menstrual cycles usually?
Why: In women of reproductive age there can be some times in their menstrual cycle when they may be more prone to acne, particularly in the premenstrual period.
Do you use any skin care products, and if so what are they?
Why: Prolonged use of some things such as moisturizers, foundation, and heavy make up can cause acne cosmetica.
What do you do for a living?
Why: Those who work with petroleum products may suffer acne more than those who don't.
Have you ever been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, or experienced irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, hypertension, high blood glucose/diabetes, abnormal hair growth (hirsutism) or infertility?
Why: Polycystic ovary syndrome and other causes of virilization can cause hormonal imbalances which result in all or some of the features listed here, as well as acne.
Has your acne prevented you from doing your usual activities or going out?
Why: Acne may lead to a drop in self esteem and in some cases depression.
Do you suffer from excessive hairiness or irregular menstrual periods
Why: may suggest Polycystic ovary syndrome.
Poor self esteem and embarrassment
Why: as a result of the acne.

Conditions listing medical symptoms: Acne:

The following list of conditions have 'Acne' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Acne or choose View All.

View All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V #

Conditions listing medical complications: Acne:

The following list of medical conditions have 'Acne' or similar listed as a medical complication in our database.

» Next page: Types of Acne

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