Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland).
The condition is common in adolescence as a result of an abnormal response 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 how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later into their thirties and forties and even beyond. Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life.
SYMPTOMS
The most common form of acne is known as “acne vulgaris”, which means common acne. Excessive secretion of oils from the glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propioni bacterium acne to multiply uncontrolled. In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms are especially affected.
The typical acne lesions are comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts. These are the more inflamed forms 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.
Aside from 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.
CAUSES OF ACNE
The increased hormone production in the puberty stimulates to increased sebum production. The male hormone, testosterone, seem to contribute most. Also girls begin to produce more testosterone in the puberty. Also in other periods, altered hormone production may give acne, for example by women in the menopause.
Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary.
Here are some other factors that may contribute in causing acne or aggravating the condition.
- Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles
- Stress, through increased output of hormones from the adrenal (stress) glands
- Accumulation of dead skin cells
- Bacteria in the pores, to which the body becomes allergic
- Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation
- Use of anabolic steroids
- Some contraceptive agents
- Humid environments
- Some antidepressants.
Testosterone and anabolic steroids used for treatment or by body-building
- Use of some types of greasy cosmetic products.
Some antiperspirant products.
- Exposing the skin for chlorine or other halogens, or medicines containing halogens.
- Women may get aggravated acne 2-7 days before menstruation.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CAUSES
There are many misconceptions and rumors about causes of acne.
1. Acne is not caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the fact that acne involves skin infections. In fact the blockages that cause acne occur deep within the narrow follicle channel, where it is impossible to wash them away. These plugs are formed by the cells and sebum created there by the body. The bacteria involved are the same bacteria that are always present on the skin. It is advisable to clean the skin on a regular basis, but doing so will not prevent acne. Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or over drying skin.
2. Sex. Common myths state that either celibacy or masturbation causes acne and, conversely, that sexual intercourse can cure it. There is no scientific evidence suggesting that any of these are factual. It is true though that anger and stress affect hormone levels and thus bodily oil production, which can cause acne.
TREATMENT
Sometimes Acne is so severe that special medical treatment is required, and sometimes the causes of acne necessitate medical treatment. But you can do much yourself also. Here are listed things you can do yourself to prevent or treat acne:
1. Some advices about diet that may help prevent and cure acne:
- Do not consume a great amount of fat
- The fat you add to the food should be natural oils. Such as Olive oil, walnut oil, and sunflower oil.
- Eat much fish, seafood and not so much meat.
- Eat food with a high fiber content to regulate the digestion like vegetables and fruit.
2. Here are some things you should avoid.
- Do not use greasy or heavy cosmetics that clog your skin and are difficult to wash away.
- Do not wash with soap or cleaners that dry up your skin and take away all the natural oily protection in your skin.
- Use clothes that allow air to reach your body surface to avoid collection of humidity and overheating of your skin.
3. Use of rinsing milk or solutions
You can rinse your skin with mild products especially made to dissolve the plugs in your pores, and to make the environment in your skin unfriendly to bacteria causing infection. Some of these products are just products to wash your skin with one ore more times a day others should be on during night and flushed away in the morning.
Salicylic acid is a mild ingredient often used in these products to dissolve the comedones. The products usually also contain ingredients that work antibacterial and stimulate the skin’s own cleaning activities, like Tea tree oil or Echinacea extract.
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