In answer to your question, we don't guess we can say that any acne is normal, but it is certainly a very common occurrence during adolescence.
Body acne can occur just the same as facial acne. Some people get both facial and body acne, but there is no reason why it can't affect mainly just the back and neck as in your case. Acne can occur any place on the body where there are hair follicles - and that is virtually anywhere. It occurs when the sebaceous (oil) ducts become blocked either by thickened oil or by inflammatory cells. It occurs primarily during adolescence and is usually more severe in boys because it seems to be related to the increased production of the male hormone testosterone. (Yes, girls also produce some testosterone, so they get acne too.)
There are other factors involved in the development of acne and some of these are less well understood. Irritation from clothes or backpacks could be a factor in developing acne on the upper back just the way head bands may aggravate acne on the forehead. The important thing is that your body acne can be treated. Since this type of acne is often inflammatory you may need an oral antibiotic as well as topical treatment. Also since you may be covering a large area you may want to use a lotion as opposed to a cream or gel. See your doctor and ask him/her to prescribe treatment and then be patient and follow the treatment plan carefully. Again, there is nothing unique about your problem and it should be very manageable.
You're not alone. Take a look at a few of the questions related to this topic that other teens have asked us.
How do you get rid of scarring of the face from acne?
Does drinking water help with acne?
I have acne on my back. It's hard to get to it with the cream. What else can I do to get rid of the acne?
I've heard that Accutane prematurely closes the growth plates. Is that true?
What can I do to get rid of blackheads on my nose?
For more information, check out these articles:
Common Skin Problems: Eczema, Warts, Molluscum Contagiosum
Take a Sensible Approach to Acne
Top Ten Acne Myths
Posted 7-24-06
