Acne is a common skin disorder caused by inflammation of the oil-producing glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. Hair follicles are small structures present under the skin that act as seeds for hair growth, while sebaceous glands produce oil that moisturizes the skin and hair. Each strand of hair that grows out of its respective hair follicle carries sebum with it and is pushed out from the surface of the skin.
At the time of puberty, there is an increase in the production of sebum and a decrease in the shedding of skin cells. These skin cells block the hair follicles and trap the sebum inside. Bacteria naturally present in hair follicles multiply in the oil-filled pores, eventually leading to inflammation and acne. Both boys and girls can develop acne during puberty. It can also develop in adults, even in their 40s and 50s.
Types
There are mainly six types of acne, including blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, pa pules, nodules and cysts.
Blackheads: Appear as yellow or black, open bumps on the skin filled with dead skin and excess sebum. The black coloration is caused by pigmentation produced by the hair follicle and oxidation of the pores due to exposure to air.
Whiteheads: Whiteheads are closed bumps filled with dead skin and oil.
Pa pules: These look like small, red bumps. These bumps may be painful or tender to the touch.
Pustules (pimples): These look like small red bumps with a white tip in the middle. As the name suggests, pustules are filled with pus.
Nodules: Nodules are large, firm lumps present deep in the skin.
Cysts: Cysts are large lumps filled with pus. It is the most severe form and carries a high risk of causing permanent scarring.
Symptoms
Acne can appear as bumps on the skin filled with or without pus. These bumps usually break and form larger bumps. Acne is particularly common in areas of the body that contain a high concentration of sebaceous glands, including the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back.
Causes And Risk Factors
Causes
Acne is commonly caused by an increase in androgen hormone levels at the onset of puberty. This hormone enlarges the sebaceous glands and increases sebum production. Bacteria present on the skin digest the oil. The products from this digestive process irritate the skin and clog pores, ultimately leading to acne.
Other conditions responsible for acne include:
1.Fluctuating hormone levels in women during pregnancy or the menstrual cycle.
2.Pressure or friction on the skin when using headgear such as sports helmets or hats.
3.Using oil-based personal care products such as hair pomades, heavy lotions/creams, waxes, etc.
4.Environment with high humidity.
5.Air pollution.
6.Working in environments with greasy surfaces, such as restaurants.
7.Taking birth control pills.
There is no correlation between poor hygiene or diet and acne breakouts. It seems that excessive washing can make acne worse.
Risk factors
Acne is commonly found in teenagers and young adults. However, it can affect people of all ages. It is more common in males during adolescence and is more prevalent in females in adulthood.
Prevention
Although it is difficult to prevent acne with normal hormonal changes, it is not impossible. The following measures can help minimize the likelihood of acne breakouts:
•Wash your face daily with a mild facial cleanser and warm water.
•Apply moisturizer regularly.
•Do not touch your face.
People who wear makeup should use products that are labeled as "non-comedogenic." It ensures that the ingredients in the products do not clog the pores. Remove makeup before bed.
Diagnosis
A doctor usually diagnoses acne simply by examining the skin. He or she will determine the type of acne and the location of the acne, and recommend an effective treatment plan accordingly.
Therapy
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the following factors:
•Age of affected person
•Type of acne
•Location of acne pimples
•Onset of debris
•Past treatments
•The presence of dark spots or scars caused by acne
Topical medications (gel, cream, lotion or solution) may be prescribed by a doctor to be applied to the skin to treat acne.
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