Acne Can Be Life-threatening, Warns Thai Doctor

[george]

Spots can be life-threatening, warns dermatologist

BANGKOK: -- Having acne is often a recipe for paranoia. But to make matters worse, a leading Thai dermatologist is now suggesting that if left untreated, acne can lead to abscesses in the brain and eventual death.

According to Dr. Prawit Phisanbutr, a US-trained dermatologist from Chulalongkorn University, most acne sufferers fall into the dangerous trap of perceiving their spots as a cosmetic problem to be treated by beauticians, rather than doctors.

Beauticians, however, are generally unaware that the causes of acne are various, and require different treatment regimes.

Other dangers come from the incorrect prescription of anti-acne medication, which can cause anything from severe skin irritations to liver damage and blindness.

Side-effects are a particular problem for pregnant women, as some anti-acne medication can cause severe foetal defects, including mental disability.

But without treatment, spots can be fatal.

"Acne, particularly on the face, not only leads to pain and physical damage, but can also lead to such severe stress that some teenage acne sufferers end up committing suicide. And in some cases, the bacteria from severe acne can spread to create abscesses in the brain, which can eventually lead to death", Dr. Prawit says.

"Acne is a condition which requires treatment, but in order to prevent unwanted side-effects, the treatment must be controlled by a dermatologist".

-- TNA 2004-08-07