Acne | What you Need to Do

Definition

Acne is the most common skin disorder usually characterized by comedones (ie, primary acne lesions), both closed and open, and by papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts usually found in the face, neck, back and chest. Though this is considered normal for teenagers going into the stage of puberty, they can become annoying. Acne heals slowly and more are cropping up in its place.

Acne is the most commonly encountered skin condition in adolescents and young adults between ages 12 and 35. Acne becomes more marked at puberty or during adolescence because of hormonal changes functioning at peak activity.

Since acne occurs when there are huge changes in physical and psychological changes in accordance with the one’s appearance, it can lead to social drawbacks and emotional stress. However, if the acne is treated at an early stage, it can more likely prevent damage on both physical and psychological level.

Symptoms

Where the areas of skin are the oiliest indicates that it has the largest number of oil glands, mainly on the chest, neck, face and upper torso. Acne has several forms and can manifest any of the following:

• Comedones. These are primary lesions of acne. Closed comedones (whiteheads) are obstructive lesions formed when the dilated follicle is plugged. Open comedones (blackheads) is an accumulation of bacteria and dead skin cells or when closed comedones are open and in contact with the external environment
• Papules. These are small bumps that is the inflammatory reaction caused by a leakage of bacteria and comes contact with the skin
• Pustules. Usually seen like the papules but with pus at the tip
• Nodules
• Cysts. These are the types of acne that will leave scars

When to see a doctor

This skin condition is nothing very serious however; you may opt to consult with a dermatologist to avoid intense scarring to your skin. There are instances that having acne is very troublesome and will impair your social relationship with peers. It is recommended to see a dermatologist to be advised on how to take care of your acne problem.

Causes

There are only three main factors that can cause acne:

• Too much oil on the skin
• Dead skins cells
• Bacteria

When the follicles are clogged with excess oil, dirt and bacteria, acne occurs. Our skin is covered with millions of hair follicles that are connected to sweat glands to keep the skin moist and healthy. Sebum is secreted by these glands and passes through the hair follicles and out to the outer skin. Clogging typically occurs whenever there is too much secretion of sebum and an accumulation of dead skin cells. When the blockage is infected with bacteria it becomes red and inflamed, sometimes pus starts to develop and lumps are starting to be seen under the skin layer.

There are several factors that play important part in this physical change; it may include any of the following:

• Hormones
• Genes or Heredity
• Medications taken
• Bacteria

One of the most famous myths that surround acne is that it is crops up when a person has had too much intake of anything sweet or rich in carbohydrate foods like chocolates, chips, bread, and other greasy foods.

Also, several ads claim that acne is caused by dirt when in fact using chemicals that “cleans” the skin just had the opposite effect. There are no formulas needed to get rid of acne like commercial beauty soaps or cleanser and that regular cleaning will suffice.

Risk Factors

Hormonal changes in the body are most likely the main cause of acne. Therefore, you are more prone to acne if you are in any of the following:

• Approaching puberty or adolescents stage
• Girls who are menstruating as well as women is known to have acne days before their period
• People taking in medications

If you aren’t any of the above mentioned categories, there are still other risk factors including:

• Constant contact with dirt, harsh chemicals from cosmetics, oil and sweat
• Genes or family history known to have acne sometime in their life.
• Using objects that causes constant contact or friction on the skin

Preparing for your Appointment

Acne is a common disorder especially among teenagers but if it poses certain problems like you are being teased about it or it’s not responding to any over the counter medications, it might be best to consult your doctor for initial checkup. Your physician will eventually refer you to a skin specialist or a dermatologist to help you stop it in order to prevent further skin damage.

Before your scheduled appointment, make sure that you have all the information ready to make your visit worthwhile.

• Take note of your medical history especially your medications and your personal information as well
• Make sure to write down all the questions that you want to ask your doctor.

Here are some examples questions that you might want to ask your doctor about.

• What type or kind of treatment is the best?
• What is the next recommended step that you will take?
• Ask if there are any side effects from the medications prescribed to you.
• Ask for any self-help tips that you can do to help your condition.
• If the prescribed medication is not working, clarify it to your physician if it is ok to stop using it.
• Will there be changes in your diet as well as the soaps and other skin care products that you are currently using.

To be able to assist you and provide the best treatment, your doctor may ask any of the following questions:

• The time when you first had acne
• Any factors that trigger your acne to show up
• Your medications
• About your skin care products
• Family History
• The psychological effect of acne on you.
• Menstrual cycle
• Any treatments for acne that you have already done.

Treatments and Drugs

The goal is to reduce bacterial colonies, decrease gland activity, prevent follicles from becoming plugged, reduce inflammation, combat secondary infection, minimize scarring, and eliminate factors that predispose the person to acne. The treatment depends on the type of lesion you have.

There is no predictable cure for the disease, but combinations of therapies are available that can effectively control its activity. Topical treatment may be all that is needed to treat mild to severe acne lesions.

• Topical Therapy or Medication
  • Benzoyl Peroxide. Benzoyl Peroxide preparations are widely used because they produce a rapid and sustained reduction of inflammatory lesions. They also suppress sebum production and promote breakdown of comedo plugs. The patient should be informed that symptoms may worsen during early weeks of therapy because inflammation may occur in the process.
  • Topical Antibiotics. Topical antibiotic treatment for acne is common. These antibiotics suppress the growth of acne; reduce fatty acid levels; decrease comedones, papules, and pustules but with no harmful side effects.
  • Systemic Therapy
    • Antibiotics. Oral antibiotics administered in small doses over a long period are very effective in treating moderate to severe acne, especially when the acne is inflammatory and results in pustules and scarring.
    • Oral Retinoids.
    • Hormone Therapy. Estrogen therapy suppresses sebum production and reduces skin oiliness.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment of acne consists of comedo extraction, injections, incision and drainage of large cystic lesions. Crysurgery may be used for cystic forms of acne.

Comedones may be removed with an extractor and the effects of removal may take several weeks to subside.

• Dermabrasion
• Laser treatments

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Try following these self help tips to help avoid acne and scarring.

• Use a gentle cleanser to wash and keep the problem areas clean and dry. Do not use cosmetic or beauty products such as facial washes or foams, cleanser, toner and masks because they will most likely worsen the acne.
• Always try to avoid those factors that irritate your skin or acne.
• Be vigilant on the things that came into contact with your face often like your hair or other objects.
• Do not pick your acne as it may just cause scarring and infection.

Alternative Medicine

There are several medical studies that have shown those over the counter medication gels that contain tea tree oil to be a good treatment for mild to medium level acne. However, these gels take a lot of time before the results are seen and the chemical content may have a mild skin irritation for others.

Taking the following supplements is known to lessen acne:

• Guggul
• Zinc, and
• Brewer’s Yeast

There are no known and fixed cure for acne so before taking in medications and applying anything to the affected area, make sure to consult your physician or dermatologist so you will be advised on what course to take.

Prevention

After doing several treatments and you had successfully eliminated your acne problem, make sure that you have discussed preventive care to your dermatologist.

Following the tips mentioned in self-care and home remedies is a start and do some of the following:

• Wash and keep the acne area clean
• Try using gel that contain tea tree oil
• Avoid using too much make-up foundation as your skin can’t “breathe”
• Make sure to keep your face make-up free before going to bed

Maintain good hygiene and healthy lifestyle.

MY TIP!

There are other more alternatives in treating acne! Find out here. There is no need to suffer and become a social outcast.