Archive for September, 2010

Acne is an eruptive skin disease that causes pimples. It is described as a disease of pilo sebaceous units (PSUs) that are found under the skin. PSUs have sebaceous glands that are connected to hair follicles. These glands produce “sebum.” The inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles triggers the development of pimples. This is attributed to hormonal changes.

Causes Of Acne

Three major factors are identified that contribute to this skin disease.

1. Sebaceous Glands That Secrete More Sebum Than Required – The excess sebum tends to clog the duct, which creates a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive. This results in the swelling of the glands.

2. Abnormality In Shedding Of Dead Skin Cells - The disease-prone cells shed more dead cells and is not shed properly. As a result, the cells stuck inside the follicle create a comedo.

3. Bacterial Growth - Propionibacteria acnes is found in most of the skin types. When this bacterial population multiplies more than the normal rate, pimples develop. The clogged sebaceous duct creates favorable anaerobic conditions for these bacteria to thrive. P.acnes digests the sebum, producing a fatty acid waste. This waste irritates the pore lining and leads to reddening and inflammation.

Types Of Acne

• Mild/Moderate Acne Vulgaris - This is the most common form, which includes the following:

White Heads: These are caused by the blockage of a pore by sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells, giving a white appearance on the skin surface.

Black Heads: These develop when a pore is blocked partially and some of the trapped sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria drain out to the surface. The black color is due to the melanin that reacts with oxygen in the air.

Papules: These are swollen red tender bumps without head.

Pustules: These are swollen red circles with a yellow or white center.

• Severe Acne Vulgaris – This is characterized by the development of nodules and cysts.

Nodules: These are large, hard, painful bumps under the skin.

Cysts: These are similar to nodules, but are filled with pus.

• Acne Rosacea – This appears as a red rash commonly found on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. It is often characterized by bumps, skin blemishes, and pimples, along with redness.

Other severe forms:

• Acne Conglobata – This is the most severe form of acne vulgaris and is common in males. This is characterized by the development of interconnected numerous large lesions, along with widespread black heads. This can cause irreparable damage to the skin, leading to scarring or disfiguration.

• Acne Fulminans – This is an abrupt onset of acne conglobata in young men. Its symptoms are nodulocystic and ulcerating acne, and disfiguration or scarring takes place.

• Gram Negative Folliculitis – This is a bacterial infection, resulting in the appearance of pustules and cysts. This can be caused due to a long-term antibiotic treatment for acne vulgaris.

• Pyoderma Faciale – This is severe facial acne affecting only females. Large painful nodes or pustules result in scarring.

Acne can be cured to an extent by proper medical treatment.

It is now very easy to choose an appropriate acne medicine due to the advances made by medical scence. First of all, if you have got acne you should see a dermatologist and get his or her opinion. The medicines prescribed by the doctor will either have to be applied on the affected area or taken orally.

Types Of Acne Medications And Drugs

There are several types of acne medications and drugs available that act on the scars in four ways. The medicines try to reduce oil or sebum production, regulate the keratinization of ducts, kill the bacteria, and decrease inflammation. The medications also try to remove acne in this way.

Before you have started medication, you need to make your skin oil-free with specially formulated cleansers that can be used on the acne-affected skin. These cleansers remove excess oils from the skin without blocking the pores. Soaps block the skin pores, and are therefore discouraged.

Topical Medication and Oral Medication

Dermatologists across the world prescribe two types of acne medicines: topical medication and oral medication. A topical medication is applied on the affected area of the skin. Acne medicine should not be taken at the time of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester because it may result in birth defects. Over-the-counter medicines take one or two months to show any result on the skin.

Kerotolytics and antibiotics

Kerotolytics and antibiotics prove to be useful in the treatment of mild acne. Benzoic peroxide is an effective kerotolytic, as it does not cause any reaction against the antibiotics. Clindamycin and tetracycline are antibiotics that are generally used to kill the bacteria and reduce inflammation. These medicines can be applied twice daily for a clear and glowing skin.

Lotions and Gels

Lotions and gels that contain resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfur, and lactic acid are very useful and mild. If this acne medicine does not work, you have to apply topical medicines containing retinoids like tretinoin and adapalene, and similar agents. These contain derivatives of vitamin A, which removes the dead cells and prevents the blockage of pores.

Oral medicines

Acne treatment with Oral medicines are useful if a topical medicine is unable to provide relief. The cysts that are deep can be treated effectively with acne medicines like isotretinoin. It is a very effective medicine for the treatment of cystic acne when antibiotics prove to be insufficient. But, you should always seek the advice of your dermatologist while using isotretinoin, as its use may lead to severe side effects. It may cause defects at birth. Isotretinoin should never be used by pregnant women or those who are planning to conceive. It may raise the blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Certain oral contraceptive pills are also helpful in reducing the scars caused because of acne. Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate together reduce the acne. But, you should also be aware of the side effects of using these acne medicines. Always seek the advice of your doctor before taking any acne medicine, as the doctor can suggest you an appropriate medication that suits your skin type and condition.