Acne

» What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red growths (papules, pustules, and cysts) to form. These growths are commonly called pimples or "zits."

ALTERNATIVE NAMES

Acne vulgaris; Cystic acne; Pimples; Zits
How can one get rid of acne? Are homemade peels or facepacks helpful?
Acne or pimples are common, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This is due to hormonal influences (testosterone) at that age. The sebaceous glands of the skin produce an oily secretion - sebum. These glands get blocked due to overgrowth of the superficial layers of the skin.

Acne is not just a skin problem but also has negative impact on the patient's self-esteem. This is particularly true of young girls and boys. Hence, it is important to treat acne at the earliest.
The treatment of acne is best done by a dermatologist or skin specialist. He may advice topical treatment such as benzoyl peroxide or topical antibacterial such as clindamycin. Acne is caused by a bacterium propionibacterium acres. This germ is sensitive to certain antibiotics such as clindamycin, erythromycin or doxycycline.
Oral antibiotics may be prescribed and this is required to be continued for around three weeks.
Washing the face with water more frequently is also recommended. Use of special soaps may help.
Diet may be suitably changed to avoid fatty substances.
In balance, treatment of acne is not that simple. There are antibiotics that can be applied topically or taken orally. There are other remedies that prevent the overgrowth of superficial layers of skin. Diet change may help. Above all, you should follow the advice of a skin specialist.
What are the Treatments for Acne?
It can take several steps to alleviate acne: clean the skin once or twice a day with mild soap that does not dry out the skin; avoid excessive washing, since it could damage the skin. Always remove all makeup before going to bed; keep your hair clean; remove hair from the face, but do not hold it against the head with rubber straps; do not touch the acne or you might make it worse and lead to infection or scarring; in general, try avoiding touching your face. If normal care with acne does not work, you can try topical medicines available over the counter. Most contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol or salicylic acid which kill bacteria and eliminate fat. Sometimes they can cause redness. If you still cannot stop acne, consult a dermatologist, who will probably prescribe stronger medications such as oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics or gels with retinoic acid (such as Retin-A). The dermatologist may wish to recommend the removal of scars by dermabrasion, or the removal and drainage of cysts.
What Causes Acne?
Acne lesions occur when skin pores become clogged with dirt and bacteria. Each pore has a canal that contains a hair and a sebaceous gland, which normally helps to keep skin in good condition. When the cap is broken inside substances (grease, debris and bacteria) spread around the grain, causing inflammation. If the inflammation is very large, the grains can form painful cysts. The hormonal changes of adolescence can cause acne, as they stimulate the production of fat. Acne can also occur in women due to hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy. Though acne has a genetic component, it can also be caused by cosmetics or high sweating. Some food, such as chocolate or nuts, is believed to be causing or worsen acne, however there are no studies to confirm this.

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