INTRODUCTION

Did this ever happen, you wake up, take a good bath, and when you saw the mirror, you find small red, inflamed bumps on the skin? What are those? How do they form? And the question that comes up to mind after having these bumps is the ways to cure and treat these inflamed bumps?

Acne is the most common skin condition that usually happens in our teens. Acne is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflamed spots and blackheads on the face, neck, back, and chest. Cysts and scar formation can also occur.

There are many treatments available, including medicated and home remedies to help control acne, prevent new breakouts, and also help to reduce scars formation. Contact a doctor if you are worried about the appearance of your skin or if your acne is not improving with self-care measures.

CAUSES

Acne is a hormonal condition caused by androgen hormones, which become active during the teenage and young adult. Teenagers have more chances to get acne because their bodies make more androgen hormones during puberty.

Once their hormone levels get down (typically by their early twenties), acne usually goes away on its own. But it is believed that not all teenagers have acne. Other things like genetic factors and the immune system play a role too.

Numerous factors cause acne and make it worse:

Hormonal changes. Androgens are a class of hormones produced by the male and female bodies, just in differing amounts. In fact, female androgens have more than 200 actions in women, and they are present in higher amounts than estrogens. Androgens are present in much higher levels in males and play an important role in male traits and reproductive activity.

The oil that is made in our skin is called sebum, and it is produced in oil glands known as sebaceous glands. Androgens are hormones that increase in young boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Sebum help protects the skin and also helps to keep it moisturized.

When a layer of dead cells blocks the opening of a pore, the sebum can’t leave the pore; sebum builds up in the sebaceous gland leads towards acne. The chances of acne are high because the body has more oil glands, like the face, chest, back, and shoulders.

USE OF OILY STUFF

Some personal care products like heavy lotions, creams, or hair pomades and waxes can also cause acne. Some makeup, along with many skin and hair care products, contains oil or other ingredients that can cause acne outbursts. Continue usage of these sorts of products causes blemishes.

Certain medications include corticosteroids(Oral corticosteroids, which cause steroid acne by increasing yeast proliferation within the hair follicle).

Contraceptive agents: medroxyprogesterone injection (Depo-Provera™), implanted and oral contraceptives, which lowers the level of circulating sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), can cause acne in females.

Anabolic steroids like danazol, stanozolol, and nandrolone may cause severe acne involving acne conglobata and acne fulminans.

MEDICATION KNOWN TO INTENSIFY ACNE:

Halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides, halothane).

Antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital).

Antituberculous drugs (ethionamide, isoniazid, rifampicin).

Antidepressants (lithium, amoxapine).

Ciclosporin.

B vitamins (B6, B12, cyanocobalamin).

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.

Azathioprine and ciclosporin can cause true acne or acne-like eruptions.

Some researchers claim that stress, which increases the hormone cortisol, can also cause acne to flare.

SYMPTOM

Symptoms of acne may include

Whiteheads (are closed plugged pores).

Blackheads (are open plugged pores).

Small red, tender bumps (papules).

Pimples (pustules, which are papules with pus on their tips).

WHITEHEADS AND BLACKHEADS

Sebaceous glands produce a specific type of oil in the skin called Sebum. Sebum helps to protect the skin and keeps it moisturized. If the opening of the pores is blocked by a layer of dead cells, the sebum can’t leave the pore, and it builds up in the sebaceous gland. If this becomes inflamed, it turns into a pimple. As a result, blackhead or whitehead develops.

PIMPLES

Sometimes a layer of dead cells and bacteria accumulates in sebum. The bacteria, which are found on our skin, can multiply quickly in the sebum. Whenever our pore fills up with bacteria, inflammation (swelling) occurs, resulting in a pimple. If the pimple contains pus, it’s known as a pustule. A pimple with no pus is called a papule.

ACNE NODULE OR CYST

Bacteria, along with dead cells and excess oil, accumulates in pores, so inflammation(swelling) occurs that goes deep into the skin, and acne nodule or cyst develops. As these breakouts go deep into the skin, you can feel tender or painful.

The difference between an acne nodule and an acne cyst is that a cyst contains pus, and nodules don’t contain pus. Nodule feels harder to the touch than cysts do.

If there is an extremely painful acne cyst or nodule, your dermatologist can inject it with some medication to reduce the pain or help it clear more quickly.

TREATMENT

Dermatologists will examine skin first to determine the severity of your acne; they’ll see which type of treatment would work best for you, topical or oral (or both).

TOPICAL ACNE TREATMENT:

This is the most common kind of acne treatment. Some treat skin by killing acne-causing bacteria, while others help eliminate acne by reducing oil. The chemical in topical acne treatments may include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and salicylic acid. B

BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic agent, and it’s mostly effective at killing the C. acnes bacteria that causes breakouts. But benzoyl isn’t without its downsides. The leave-on creams and cleansing treatments can dry out sensitive skin, and it’s best to stick to formulations with less than 2% benzoyl peroxide listed on the active ingredients chart; stronger concentrations are harder on the skin without being any effects on bacteria.

RETINOL

Retinoids are usually used in antiaging products, but these vitamins are effective at clearing up acne. Retinoid helps to reduce inflammation, reduces oil production, and help skin exfoliate.

Retinoid can be irritating, and if you have sensitive skin (or some skin condition like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea), So make sure to always start with a less concentration of retinol ( low as .01%) to see how skin reacts.

Retinol isn’t a rapid fix. It takes a long time to see results (more likely a few months).

SALICYLIC ACID

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that can be used by dissolving to remove excess oil and gently exfoliating dead skin cells.

Salicylic acid also works as an anti-inflammatory agent to cure inflamed cystic breakouts. Although it’s totally okay to use salicylic acid in a face wash, it can use it as a toner, moisturizer, and leave-on spot remedy because these give it more time to do its work. Salicylic acid can dry out the skin if over-used.

GLYCOLIC ACID

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that lightly exfoliates the skin, helps us get rid of the dead skin cells that cause clog pores. Like salicylic acid, you can find glycolic acid in face washes, peels, moisturizers, as well as in serums.

LACTIC ACID

Lactic acid is also an AHA; It helps to exfoliate the skin. However, it’s usually gentler than glycolic acid, so it’s the best option for people who want to use an exfoliating acid but they have more sensitive skin. Lactic acid is also a humectant, meaning that it draws water to itself and maybe hydrating. So people with dry and sensitive skin, lactic acid would work well without being too irritating.

SULFUR

Sulfur is a very effective agent at drying up pus-filled pimples and also whiteheads. It helps to suck up the oil. Sulfur is typically mixed with another active chemical agent to get the most efficacy and with fragrances to mask the strong scent or good odors. It is often found in masks and spot treatments.

DAPSONE GEL

Another recommended option for acne is dapsone gel, like the brand-name version Aczone. Dapsone shows both antimicrobial and properties, and it helps to cure blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Like many of those other remedies, this can make skin dry out.

A CORTISONE SHOT

Cortisone is a quick fix for acne emergencies, huge cystic acne bumps. Research claims that after a cortisone shot, acne will possibly disappear in 24 to 48 hours. The treatment works to cure inflammation, which makes it perfect for cystic breakouts and can be fantastic for treating hormonal flare-ups. A rare side effect of a cortisone shot is that it can leave a small depression in the skin that can last about eight weeks.

ORAL ACNE TREATMENT:

Medications that work internally are recommended when you got red, swollen pimples (acne cysts and nodules). These drugs may be found in different forms like antibiotics (which kill bacteria and reduces inflammation), birth control pills (which helps to cure hormonal acne), and isotretinoin (usually referred to as Accutane).

TOP 10 HOME REMEDIES TO CURE ACNE

Acne is quite possibly the most well-known skin condition globally, influencing an expected 85% of youthful grown-ups. Many people don’t want to see a dermatologist while they go acne; they want their acne treated at home by simple remedies.

In this era, home remedies need logical support, and further examination of their viability is required. When a person searching for elective medicine, there are still alternatives you attempt.

Ordinary skin break-out or acne medicines like salicylic corrosive, niacinamide, or benzoyl peroxide are the best way to cure skin acne. Yet, they can be costly and have bothersome incidental effects, like dryness, redness, and disturbance.

APPLY APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

By fermenting the apple cider, we get apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids, such as citric acid, succinic acid, and lactic acid, which help fight against bacteria and fungi that cause acne and acne scars.

Apple cider vinegar cause skin irritation and sometimes cause skin burns. So it is important to use it diluted to avoid any disturbance.

REMEDY PREPARATION

Use one part of apple cider vinegar with approximately three parts of water pour it in an empty spray bottle.

Spry it on your face for ab 15 to 20 minutes. After that, rinse with water.

Repeat the same process twice a day until the acne leaves.

CINNAMON AND HONEY MASK

Cinnamon and honey show the ability to fight bacteria and involve in the reduction of inflammation. Researches claim that cinnamon and honey are found to reduce P. acne.

REMEDY PREPARATION

In a bowl, take 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, mix them until the paste forms.

Apply this mask on a clean face, rest it for 15 minutes, then wash your face.

TEA TREE OIL

Tea tree oil is an essential oil. This oil is very potent. It has strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying it to the skin may reduce acne, and some researchers claim that if we compare tea tree oil with benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil is found more useful with fewer side effects.

REMEDY PREPARATION

Dilute the tea tree oil with water like 1 part tea tree oil and 9 part of water

Apply the solution to your acne area

Apply twice a day

APPLY GREEN TEA 

Green tea contains antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress, or it can help to reduce inflammation. Research claims that an antioxidant found in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which reduces sebum production, fights against inflammation, helps to inhibit the growth of P. acnes in person with acne-prone skin.

PROCEDURE

Steep green tea leaves in boiling water for 3–4 minutes. After that, rest it cool.

Pour in a spray bottle or apply by using a cotton ball.

Repeat 3 times a day

APPLY WITCH HAZEL

From the extract of bark leaves of the North American witch hazel shrub, we obtain hazel. It contains chemical agents, namely tannins, which have very potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This is why it is used to treat a broad range of skin conditions, including dandruff, eczema, and varicose veins.

PROCEDURE

Take garlic, crush it and apply it directly to pimples; this can cause skin irritation it can burn the skin, so one should be more conscious by applying garlic.

Or you can add more garlic to your diet, so it will help reduce inflammation and defense against bacterial and fungal infection.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is the source of medium-chain fatty acids, which makes it incredible for skin and hair. Coconut oil contains Lauric acid, which is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Coconut oil also contains phytonutrients and also a polyphenol, which act as antioxidants. These properties make coconut oil a potent moisturizer.

It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties; it helps to reduce inflammation and redness and helps treat acne scars.

Some research shows that coconut oil can also help treat bedsores; more research should be done on this statement.

PROCEDURE

Simply take a small quantity of oil on your palm, rub it area with acne.

Repeat twice a daily

TURMERIC

We can find turmeric in our kitchen or Asian countries’ turmeric used on daily basis in foods. Turmeric contains polyphenols and curcumin. Both compounds are good for curing inflammation. Turmeric is also used in home remedies for making skin, and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation caused by acne.

HOW TO USE IT?

Take half tsp of turmeric with 2 tsp of gram flour. You can also add 2 tbsp with yogurt. Make a thick paste and apply it all over your face, leaving it on for 10 to 12 minutes or until dry. Rinse off with water.

Repeat twice a day or until you get the desire results.

CALAMINE LOTION

Calamine lotion has been used for a long time to relieve itchiness and irritation from minor skin conditions, like hives, mosquito bites, or insect stings.

Due to drying properties, calamine lotion can be used as an acne treatment. It may dry out a pimple, which gradually disappears.

However, Calamine lotion may be used for most skin conditions or irritations that make a person feel itchy. It won’t cure underlying surely, but it can treat symptoms. Calamine lotion also uses for chickenpox, hives, heat rash, and poison oak.

HOW TO USE IT?

To use calamine lotion, shake a lotion bottle, take a little lotion on your palm.

By using clean fingers apply or spread it on the affected skin areas surrounded by acne.

Let it dry 

Then wash your face for about an hour.

Repeat 2 times a day

REFERENCES

1. Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris
Huijuan Cao et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015.
2. Mayo Clinic. Acne (updated 20 Jan 2015). http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/definition/con-20020580 
3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/book
4.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12233-acne
5.https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/really-acne/symptom

6.https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.self.com/story/common-acne-treatments/amp