What can be a systemic effect of severe acne?

Severe acne can lead to significant systemic effects, and one of the most notable consequences is scarring. When acne lesions become inflamed, they can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, resulting in tissue damage. This damage can produce a variety of scar types, including atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids, depending on the individual's healing response and the nature of the acne.

Scarring is a lasting physical change that can affect a patient's psychological well-being and self-esteem. Treatment options for scarring often require dermatological intervention, and preventive measures during the active phase of acne can help mitigate these long-term effects. By managing acne effectively, the risk of developing scars can often be reduced, emphasizing the importance of early and appropriate treatment for severe acne.

While fungal infections, benign cyst formation, and psoriasis flare-ups can occur in patients with acne, these conditions are typically not the direct systemic effects associated with severe acne. Fungal infections may arise in response to other factors, such as antibiotic use, and cyst formation can occur as a consequence of blocked sebaceous glands, but these are not as clearly linked to the systemic repercussions of severe acne as scarring is.