Checklist: When to see a doctor

If you answer YES to any, it's time to seek medical help to get acne better:

• Your acne is making you feel embarrassed, anxious, self-conscious, angry or depressed.
• Your acne is getting worse.
• Scars or dark marks are developing with your acne.
• You have a family history of moderate-severe acne and your acne is getting worse.
• There is no improvement in your acne after 6 – 8 weeks of over the counter products treatment.
• You can’t tolerate over the counter acne treatments or have had side effects.
• For females, your periods are irregular, there is increased body hair growth, and your acne is getting worse.
• There are large, red, painful nodules or cysts under the skin.
• You have extensive acne on the face, and possibly the trunk.

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