Question: I have suddenly developed pimples at 22 years of age, having not had them for seven years when I was a schoolgirl. My lifestyle has not changed. My doctor recommends antibiotics, but I am reluctant to take these. I am taking zinc tablets from the chemist, but they don’t seem to be helping.
Pimples may develop at any age, but they are far more common in teenage years when hormone levels are increasing.
Any change to your hormone levels may trigger an attack of acne. Pregnancy is one obvious cause of hormone change, and the oral contraceptive pill may also be a cause in some women, while in others the pill may improve acne.
Treatment involves using the various pimple creams available from chemists, and taking zinc supplements, which benefit some people. If these are ineffective, then it is wise to consult a doctor who can prescribe more potent lotions and creams, along with antibiotics.
Antibiotics especially designed to combat acne are very effective, as they prevent the blocked oil ducts that cause acne from becoming infected. They are designed for long term use, and have no side effects in the majority of patients.

Question: I have terrible zits on my face. Why do I get it more than my friends, and what can I do about it?
A Pimples, zits, spots, acne. It doesn’t matter what they are called, nobody likes to have them.
Pimples are due to a blockage in the outflow of oil from the thousands of tiny oil glands in the skin. This blockage can be due to dirt, flakes of dead skin, or a thickening and excess production of the oil itself. Once the opening of the oil duct becomes blocked, the gland becomes dilated with the thick oil, then inflamed and eventually infected.
The severity of your acne will depend greatly on your choice of parents. If one or both of them had severe acne, you have a good chance of developing the same problem.
The hormonal changes associated with the transition from childhood to adult life are the major aggravating factor in acne, as the hormones cause changes to the skin and thickness of the oil, and may worsen (or occasionally improve) acne.
Acne cannot be cured, but in the majority of cases, it can be reasonably controlled by doctors. You should ensure that your skin is kept clean with a mild soap and face cloth. Then some of the many creams and lotions available from pharmacists should be tried.
If the acne is severe to start with, or the over-the-counter preparations do not help, see your general practitioner. He or she will use antibiotics and more potent skin preparations to more effectively control the problem.