treatment for acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, due to changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures comprising a hair follicle and its particular associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly known as pimples, spots or zits.
The condition is common in puberty, especially among Western societies almost certainly because of higher genetic predisposition. It’s considered an abnormal a reaction to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches their early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict the length of time it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to have problems with acne decades later, within their thirties and forties as well as beyond. Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life.
Symptoms
The most typical form of acne is recognized as “treatment for acne”, meaning “common acne. ” Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the follicles of hair. There also appeares to stay some instances a faulty keritinization process in the skin ultimately causing abnormal shedding of skin lining the pores. Oil secretions build-up under the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply uncontrolled. In response, your skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face area, chest, right back, shoulders and upper arms are specially affected.
The typical acne lesions are: comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts. They’re the more inflamed form of pus-filled or reddish bumps, even boil-like tender swellings. Non-inflamed ‘sebaceous cysts’, more properly called epidermoid cysts, occur either in association with acne or alone but are not a constant feature. After resolution of acne lesions, prominent unsightly scars may remain.
Besides scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and depression. Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be most socially insecure.
Reasons for acne
Why some people get acne plus some do not just isn’t fully known. It may be partly hereditary. Several factors are regarded as connected to acne:
Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty
Stress, through increased output of hormones from the adrenal (stress) glands.
Hyperactive sebaceous glands, secondary to the three hormone sources above.
Accumulation of dead skin cells.
Bacteria in the pores, to that the human body becomes ‘allergic’.
Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation.
Usage of anabolic steroids.
Any medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens.
Experience of high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins, may cause severe, long-lasting acne, referred to as Chloracne.
Traditionally, attention has focused mostly on hormone-driven over-production of sebum since the main contributing factor of acne. More recently, more attention has been given to narrowing of the follicle channel as a second main contributing factor. Abnormal shedding of the cells lining the follicle, abnormal cell binding (“hyperkeratinization”) within the follicle, and water retention in the skin (swelling skin and so pressing the follicles shut) have all been put forward as important mechanisms. Several hormones have been associated with acne: the male hormones testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I). In addition, acne-prone skin has been shown to be insulin resistant.
Development of treatment for acne in latter years is uncommon, although this is actually the age bracket for Rosacea which might have similar appearances. True treatment for acne in older adults can be a feature of an underlying condition such as pregnancy and disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome or the rare Cushing’s syndrome.
Misconceptions about causes
There are numerous misconceptions and rumors in what does and does not cause the problem:
Diet. One flawed study purported that chocolate, french fries, poker chips and sugar, among others, affect acne. A recently available report on scientific literature cannot affirm in any event. The consensus among health care professionals is that acne sufferers should test out their diets, and keep from consuming such fare when they find such food affects the severity of these acne. A recently available study, based on a survey of 47, 335 women, did find a positive epidemiological association between milk consumption and acne, particularly skimmed. The researchers hypothesize that the association could be due to hormones (such as bovine IGF-I) present in cow milk; but this has not been definitively shown. Seafood, alternatively, may contain relatively high levels of iodine, but probably not enough to cause an acne outbreak. Still, people who are prone to acne may choose to avoid excessive usage of foods high in iodine. It has also been suggested that there is a link between a diet high in refined sugars and acne. In accordance with this hypothesis, the startling absence of acne in non-westernized societies could be explained by the low glycemic index of these tribes’ diets. Further research is essential to establish whether a reduced use of high-glycemic foods (such as carbonated drinks, sweets, white bread) can significantly alleviate acne, though usage of high-glycemic foods should whatever the case be kept to a minimum, for overall health reasons.
Deficient personal hygiene. Acne just isn’t caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the truth that acne involves skin infections. Actually, the blockages that cause acne occur deep within the narrow follicle channel, where it’s impossible to wash them away. These plugs are formed by the cells and sebum created there by the body. The bacteria involved will be the same bacteria which can be always present on the skin. Regular cleansing of the skin can reduce, however, not prevent, acne for a particular individual and incredibly little variation among individuals is a result of hygiene. Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or overdrying skin.
Sex. Common myths state that either celibacy or masturbation cause acne and, conversely, that sexual activity can cure it. There is no scientific evidence suggesting that any of these are factual. It really is true, though, that anger and stress affect hormone levels and therefore bodily oil production. Whether any increases in oil production because of stress are enough to cause acne is currently being researched.