Acne Information

Acne is commonly thought to be part of teenage angst, something that comes with the territory. But there’s more to this skin condition than meets the eye. It’s an everyday skin condition that the medical fraternity hasn’t abolished yet. Acne is an umbrella term for several acne types. The most well-known term is of course acne vulgaris. It usually occurs at the onset of puberty and dies out in the late-teens to middle & late twenties. Rarely, these ugly pimples or pustules come on during adulthood or continue on through a person’s adult life. At times, they come on during menopause, though this is extremely rare.

The safest way to deal with severe acne is to approach a certified dermatologist. He/She will tell you what to do, whether the acne needs to treat medically, and determines whether these are allergic reactions.

Acne Types

There are several kinds of pimples or skin breakouts ranging from mild to severe. Acne Rosacea is often confused for acne vulgaris. Rosacea is characterized by rashes with pimples. These commonly occur on the chin, cheeks, nose & forehead. It is usually seen in adults. Mostly categories of pimples are confined to the face & neck, causing acute embarrassment to individuals. Other severe forms spread over the entire body causing pain & lead to disfigurement & scarring.

Treatments Of Acne

Over the counter acne treatments that contain Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid usually help. Pimples are caused due to secretion of oil that clogs the hair follicles. OTC gels, lotions and soaps usually clear them up. These products may cause the skin to itch and rashes in some people. In some others, they may not be effective at all. Consult a dermatologist immediately.

Dermatologists usually prescribe isotretinoin and/or oral steroids to combat the more severe forms of pimples. Ask your dermatologist about precautions like going out in the sun even for a little while. As some anti-pimples medications contain retinoids, using a strong sunscreen is compulsory. Pregnant women should rather consult their obstetrician as pregnancy hormones at times cause pimples.

Severe cases of skin blemishes and pimples are treated with a combination of antibiotics such as minocycline, doxycycline and tetracycline. These can be either taken orally or applied on the affected areas.

Scarring

Severe cases of pimples may leave pit like scars. Discolouration of the skin can also occur once the pustules clear up. Discolouration usually clears in a couple of years. Never try to break or scrub vigorously in the assumption that cleaning the skin will clear pimples. Hygiene for broken skin is a must. Frequent washing of facial skin to remove excess sebaceous oils is recommended and must be done gently. If a pimple breaks accidentally, cleanse the area with water & consult your dermatologist at once.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion are the common medical procedures to decrease scarring, though they are more effective with raised scarring. Laser therapy is known to reduce scarring. This procedure is also used to reduce breakouts or stop them altogether, though questions remain about safety.

Skin disorder is a common problem that affects people of all age groups across the world. There are many causes for skin disorder and it can happen due to various reasons, like exposure to sun rays, X-rays, heredity problems, among others.

Skin disorders have more psychological effects as these are sometimes difficult to conceal, especially when a disorder affects the face. This disorder can make a patient mentally sick because of their visibility and can further bring misery and sufferings. However, with advancement in medical science, most of these diseases can be cured successfully using plastic surgery, laser treatment, among others.

Acne – skin disorder

Acne is one of the skin disorders and is very common among teenagers. One of the forms of acne is “pimples,” which are caused due to hormonal imbalance. Pimples are formed, especially when a depression in a skin from which the hair emerges under one’s skin clogs up. Most of these forms appear on the face and neck, and are very common among the youth. This is not a serious problem, but if not cured properly can leave scars on your face.

There are no definite causes of acne, but some of the triggering factors are as follows:

• Hormonal imbalance

• Heredity problems

• Bad eating habits

• Allergy to chemical products like creams, oils, among others

Acne Types

There are various types of acne; some of them are mild, while some are severe.

1. Acne Vulgaris – It is the common form of acne. The following are the variants of Acne Vulgaris

a) Whiteheads - In this type of acne, the comedo is closed. Whiteheads appear due to the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, which results in redness of the skin. Sometimes it results in pus formation and the skin surface get elevated.

b) Blackheads - This type of acne consists of an open comedo. It is black in color not because of the dirt, but reaction of the reaction of melanin (the skin pigment) with oxygen. Blackheads take much longer time than whiteheads to get cleared.

c) Pustules - This is a severe form of acne, resulting in bumps filled with pus.

d) Nodules - These are much bigger, hard, and painful pus bumps under the skin.

e) Papules - These are tender bumps without any head.

f) Cysts - This is the most severe form of acne. Cysts are similar to nodules but are filled with pus, and hence are more painful.

2. Acne Rosacea - The symptoms of Acne Rosacea are similar to those of Acne Vulgaris, but it occurs mostly in middle-aged people. In this type of acne, the skin of the face becomes red, along with the appearance of pimples.

3. Corticosteroid Acne - It is caused due to the use of various steroids. It results in the development of bumps filled with pus on various parts of the body, like the chest, arms, thighs, among others.

4. Acne Conglobata - This type of acne is commonly found in males aged 18 to 20. It consists of lesions, along with blackheads on the face, chest, thighs, among others.

5. Acne Fulminans - It is similar to Acne Conglobata and affects young men. It is accompanied with fever and severe pain in joints.

6. Perioral Dermatitis - It is commonly found in young girls and results in pus-filled, bumps, especially on the chin and mouth.

7. Gram-negative Folliculitis - This type of acne is rarely found and consists of pustules and cysts.

8. Pyoderma Faciale - This type of acne is found mostly in women aged 20 to 40, resulting in large bumps filled with pus. They may disappear in a very short duration.

There are several treatments to cure acne, But Few Common Tips Can Be Useful:

• Keep your skin clean, wash the affected area three to four times a day with plain water

• Do not touch the pimples as the infection can spread to other parts of the body

• Avoid over-exposure to the sun; UV rays can also damage the skin

• Seek medical advice if the problem persists for long

• Avoid using cosmetics that do not suit your skin type