Skin Test for Acne

Submitted on March 27, 2012

Acne is an extremely common skin condition which affects people of all ages, especially teens. Acne appears in the form of red colored bumps on the skin and is commonly found on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and the back. Though this is not a serious health problem, the appearance of acne is an indication that all is not well as far as health is concerned. For people, who are very conscious of their looks, acne can be a real nightmare. There are many different types of acne, classified according to their appearance.

Types of Acne Tests

An acne skin test is a simple test which helps to determine the cause of acne. Since there are many different kinds of acne, there are also different kinds of acne tests. The primary cause of acne is hormonal imbalance. This is the reason why teenagers usually experience acne. Acne testing involves a complete hormonal assessment. This includes testing for both the male and female hormones. An acne stress test is also performed and the presence of stress hormones in your blood stream is also checked. Apart from the testing for the presence of hormones, acne tests also involve the assessment of metabolism of hormones like estrogen and thyroid hormones.

Among the acne stress tests, an adrenocortex stress profile is also created. This profile usually details the response of your body to stress. The profiling also evaluates the balance between cortisol and DHEA. The balance between these two chemicals can change because of obesity or a menstrual disorder. This could also be an indication of an increased risk of developing a cardiovascular disorder.

The stool may also be tested to check for presence of bacteria and parasites. The stool analysis also helps to analyze the balance of bacteria, yeast and the absorption of food. An allergy test will also most likely be performed on you. This test can help you assess allergic reactions to food or any other environmental factor.

Treatment

Since the treatment of acne is based on the causes of it, it is important to first determine the cause of acne. For acne treatment test of the causes is essential. Acne could be caused from simply stress or indigestion, however, more sinister conditions like hormonal imbalances and cardio vascular problems or low immunity could also cause acne, because of which testing for acne becomes absolutely essential.

Before the doctor gives you a clinical diagnosis, a physical examination is usually conducted. In most cases, physical examination itself can help to identify the cause of acne.

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