Archive for March, 2009

What everyone all over the world knows as acne, specialists choose to call it acne vulgaris. Some other common names for this disease are pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, or simply zits. This is a very common skin problem affecting majority of teenagers, but even babies and middle aged people are not spared.
The facial skin is afflicted by some small reddish eruptions which may be itchy and irritating, It gets worse when the eruptions get bigger, covering a greater part of the skin by its sheer numbers, and more troublesome. In its worse form, the pimples acquire swelling. Become painful, and pus and take longer to go away, leaving ugly scars behind.

As it is, they look ugly on an otherwise pretty face. And as if the discomfort is not enough, scarring makes it worse. The causes could be harmonic changes that occur around puberty, or even in the genes. Environment could trigger pimples in some while bad diet or even constant use of make up could lead to acne. Still, there actually are a lucky few who are simply blessed with an acne free skin.

As diverse are the causes, so are the responses to treatment; varying from person to person, Although the general impression is that nothing, except perhaps age, is really effective, the practical truth is more soothing. The social effects of acne isolate a person, making him self conscious and aggressively seek remedies.

The range of treatments could be vast. Starting with inexpensive home made treatments like fruit pulp or ice packs, to anti acne lotions, creams or gels and antibiotic treatments to sophisticated and pretty costly laser treatments and surgical procedures. The aim is to have an acne free skin and all you seem to need is to be patient with your skin as tension and worry only worsen it.

The most obvious answer is obviously during teen years. But young mothers have seen their babies of a few weeks suffer from acne. That is as early as one can acquire acne.

Almost one out of five children is afflicted by baby acne. Skin eruptions resembling white heads accompanied with redness shows up on cheeks, forehead and sometimes, back. More boys than girls are affected. 

Baby acne is a fairly common and mild baby problem. Luckily this acne cures itself on its own. All it takes is patience for a couple of weeks. It does not sound that easy I know. But some detailed specific knowledge about it would be of help.

Do not trouble yourself by holding yourself responsible by not keeping your baby clean enough. The soft and gentle skin of your baby needs no more than a once-a-day wash with water and perhaps mild soap. No other over the counter product is essential for the skin. Application of oil, creams, gels, and lotions may actually worsen the acne. In fact there is no acne product available for treating baby acne.

Doctors presume genetic connections to be the reason. Also, medicines taken during the third trimester sometimes cause this affliction. There is nothing you can do to prevent its occurrence. However, keeping the baby’s surroundings skin friendly is only what is required. Let the clothing and beddings be of pure soft cotton. These should be washed in mild detergents. Keep the baby’s skin away from the fur of baby blankets, woollens and soft toys. One more thing, immediately wipe off spit milk and saliva from the baby’s face with clean and soft napkins. And never touch the acne ridden skin with your hands.