Feline acne is usually a mild skin condition that is fairly common. The faces of cats are most commonly affected. The acne that affects cats is similar to acne in humans.
Acne in cats may look like blackheads on the cat's chin. If the acne is not clearly visible on the cat's skin, the chin and lips may look like it is dirty. The acne may form crusts.
Severe cases of feline acne can cause open sores, skin irritation, hair loss, swelling, and infection though most cases of feline acne are minor. If the cat is scratching the area, the risk of these complications increases.
Some causes of feline acne include poor grooming, allergic reactions, stress, or food or dirt being caught in folds of the skin. Some cases of feline acne may be due to overactive oil glands of the cat's skin.
Skin conditions such as a yeast infection of the chin, bacterial infections, ringworm, and mange can resemble acne in cats. Light-haired cats often develop changes in skin pigmentation which may look like black dots on the chin. These dots can resemble cat acne.
Because other skin conditions of the chin could be mistaken for feline acne, the cat should be examined by a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. A biopsy, skin scraping, or other diagnostic tests may be performed.
Compresses of an Epsom salt solution or mild soap may be recommended by the veterinarian. Antibiotics, topical ointment, or special shampoo may be prescribed. A corticosteroid injection may be given to clear up this condition.
Some cases of acne in cats can be prevented. The cat's face may need to be cleaned more regularly by the cat owner, especially after the cat eats.
In some cases, the feline acne is caused by an allergic reaction to food bowls. Switching from plastic food and water dishes to stainless steel, glass, or ceramic can help prevent allergic reactions to plastics.
The blackheads should not be squeezed. If this skin condition does not clear up with the recommended treatment, the cat should be examined by the veterinarian again. The veterinarian may prescribe a different treatment.
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