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.
We can heal acne / pimples by reducing the frequency and severity until they disappear completely!
Please E-mail dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com for any questions/treatment |