What medical conditions cause acne?

Author: Ms. Maximillia Sawayn  |  Last update: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Acne may be a feature in many endocrine disorders, including polycystic ovary disease, Cushing syndrome, CAH, androgen-secreting tumors, and acromegaly. Other nonendocrine diseases associated with acne include Apert syndrome, SAPHO syndrome, Behçet syndrome and PAPA syndrome.

What underlying medical conditions cause acne?

Here are some acne-causing medical conditions to be aware of.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs among females and commonly affects the menstrual cycle. ...
  • Cushing's syndrome. ...
  • Androgen-secreting tumors.

Can acne be a symptom of something else?

Medications (such as steroids) and other medical conditions (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome) can also cause acne. If your acne is stubborn, severe, or widespread, it is a good idea to see your doctor to discuss whether something else could be going on, and to review your current treatment.

What disease is associated with acne?

Acne vulgaris can be associated with certain rare syndromes, including: SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) with features of inflammatory arthritis or osteitis, particularly of the anterior chest wall. PAPA syndrome (sterile pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne).

Is there an autoimmune disease that causes acne?

Cutaneous manifestation of SLE is a autoimmune disease which may mimic some other clinical conditions. It may resemble acne especially in young girls, causing diagnostic difficulties. Acneiform lesions are atypical presentations of SLE.

Acne Vulgaris | Causes, Pathogenesis, Influencing Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

What does lupus acne look like?

The rash associated with acute cutaneous lupus appears in a recognizable butterfly pattern that spreads across the nose and cheeks. This rash is flat, red, and itchy, and it usually appears after sun exposure. Occasionally, a rash may appear on other parts of the body, such as the arms and legs.

What endocrine disorder causes acne?

For women, hormonal changes relating to pregnancy or the menstrual cycle can also trigger acne. Falling estrogen levels may increase the risk of acne around menopause. The role of progesterone remains unclear. Conditions that affect hormone levels, for example polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can trigger acne.

What systemic disease causes acne?

Acne is also a cardinal component of many systemic diseases or syndromes, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, seborrhea-acne-hirsutism-androgenetic alopecia syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hyperandrogenism-insulin resistance-acanthosis nigricans syndrome, Apert syndrome, synovitis-acne-pustulosis- ...

Is there a virus that causes acne?

The bacteria responsible for causing acne is Cutibactrium acnes. It's likely that disruption of the normal skin flora contributes to the overgrowth of C. acnes, leading to the development of acne. Although acne is not contagious, there are skin conditions that can mimic acne that may be contagious.

How to tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial?

How to Tell if Acne is Hormonal or Bacterial?
  1. Breakout Zones: Bacterial acne typically invades the forehead, nose, and cheeks, while hormonal acne prefers the chin, jawline, and lower face.
  2. Timing: Hormonal acne often adheres to a cyclic pattern, intensifying before menstruation and subsiding afterward.

What is your body telling you when you have acne?

Certain things may trigger or worsen acne: Hormonal changes. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

Why do I have such bad acne all of a sudden?

If acne suddenly starts in adult women, it can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms such as: excessive body hair (hirsutism) irregular or light periods.

What other conditions could be confused with acne?

Don't Mistake These Skin Conditions for Acne
  • Sometimes a pimple isn't just a pimple.
  • Folliculitis. Folliculitis/shaving bumps. ...
  • Rosacea. Rosacea. ...
  • Staph. Methicillen-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ...
  • Skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma.

What does stress acne look like?

Stress acne typically presents as an array of small, red or pink pimples that can be scattered across various areas of the face. These facial acne pimples often take the form of whiteheads or blackheads and can progress into pustules, which are red, pus-filled bumps, or papules, which are small, raised bumps.

What illness can cause acne?

Excess production of hormones, specifically androgens, GH, IGF-1, insulin, CRH, and glucocorticoids, is associated with increased rates of acne development. Acne may be a feature in many endocrine disorders, including polycystic ovary disease, Cushing syndrome, CAH, androgen-secreting tumors, and acromegaly.

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for acne?

The most common natural acne treatments include:
  • Aloe vera. The gel from the aloe vera plant has a reputation as a skin soother. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a reputation as a natural cure for many conditions, including acne. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Tea tree oil. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Zinc. ...
  • Sulfur.

What does liver acne look like?

Liver-related acne is often characterized by: Persistent breakouts, particularly on the face, back, and chest. Inflammatory acne with red, swollen pimples.

What autoimmune disease causes acne?

These acne-related autoimmune conditions include: SAPHO: synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome. A group of inflammatory bone disorders that have been associated with severe acne.

What organ system causes acne?

Sebaceous glands lubricate the hair and the skin to stop it drying out. They do this by producing an oily substance called sebum. In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and both substances form a plug in the follicle.

What mental illness causes acne?

Anxiety, depression, and stress can cause acne breakouts in people who have underlying acne. Again, science doesn't yet fully understand all the reasons why this happens. Here's what the evidence says so far: Stress can increase oil production and possibly hormones (like glucocorticoids), both of which can worsen acne.

What hormone deficiency causes acne?

Hormonal acne is acne that occurs when a person's hormone level fluctuates. Fluctuations of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can cause zits and pimples to pop up. Typically, these fluctuations happen mostly during menstruation cycles, pregnancy and menopause.

What blood tests are done for acne?

Acne Panel, which typically includes tests like Lipid Profile, FSH, Prolactin, Testosterone Total, and Vitamin B12, is a diagnostic tool used to identify potential underlying hormonal imbalances or nutritional deficiencies that may contribute to acne.

What age is acne the worst?

Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.

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