ACNE or PIMPLES

Acne is the most common problem in teenagers. It is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands that are present under the skin surface occurring due to excessive secretion of sebum. Commonly, they are known as PIMPLES. The most common site is the face, but it is also found in other areas like the neck, upper arm and back. They present themselves in the form of papular or pustular eruptions.
In most cases, acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own sometime in the early twenties. However, acne can persist into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people get acne for the first time as adults.
Acne affects young men and young women about equally, but there are differences. Young men are more likely than young women to have more severe, longer lasting forms of acne. Young women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle and acne caused by cosmetics. These kinds of acne may afflict young women well into adulthood.

Cause:
The exact cause of acne is unknown but certain factors are present which are responsible to worse this condition.
1.Hormonal- Androgens are the principal sebotrophic hormones but progestogens also increase sebum excretion.
2.Bacteria- the second factor in the pathogenesis of acne is the infection with PROPIONIBACTERIUM ACNES. This bacterium colonises the pilosaebaceous ducts and acts on lipids to produce a number of pro- inflammatory factors.
3.Hereditary
4.Stress
5.Drugs and medication
6.Greasy make-up
7.Starting and stopping of Contraceptive-pills

Acne Lesions:
There are 2 major types of acne lesions: non-inflammatory and inflammatory.
Non-inflammatory acne lesions include blackheads (open comedones-these are similar to whiteheads, but are open to the skin surface and darken) and whiteheads (closed comedones- these are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions and dead skin. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces white bump called a whitehead).

Inflammatory acne lesions consist of red blemishes which are known as pimples and are also called zits (papules, pustules), and larger, deeper swollen tender lesions known as nodules. After healing, they leave a scar mark/s.

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