Skin Disorders – Acne

While not serious, acne is a skin problem that plagues many people especially teenagers. And many people think that acne is strictly a teenage skin problem but this is not true. Adults are also afflicted with acne. There are many myths circulating regarding the cause of acne. One is that eating chocolate will cause or aggravate acne. There is no scientific evidence that any food consumption has any effect on acne.

Acne is caused when the opening of the sebaceous gland and its hair follicle are plugged with sebum and dead cells. A certain type of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes resides inside the hair follicles. They live on the sebum and produce fatty acids as waste material.

There are two types of acne: noninflammatory and inflammatory. Both categories generally affect the face but may also occur on the neck, upper chest, back, and buttocks. With inflammatory acne, the waste material from the bacteria or fatty acids causes inflammation in the plugged up follicles. This results in pus filled nodules and pimples. Deep, pitted scars often result from severe inflammatory acne. Noninflammatory acne is most common. In this case there is no surrounding redness or tenderness. However, it is important not to squeeze or scratch pimples as this can cause permanent scarring.

There are many, many remedies for acne. Some are over the counter. Some are home remedies and some are prescribed by physicians. There are also forums on the Internet where acne sufferers exchange information about remedies. For inflammatory acne, physicians often prescribe an antibiotic to kill the P acne bacteria. However, this is primarily a preventive measure and does not cure existing acne. Antibiotics often need to be used for six months. If the acne is severe and antibiotic treatments have not been effective, the doctor may try an anti inflammatory corticosteroid injection directly into the inflamed cyst.

A drug known as isotretinoin taken orally has been proved to be very effective against acne but it does have serious side effects for a woman who is pregnant or intends to become pregnant as it can cause birth defects and miscarriage. Mild noninflammatory acne is usually treated by creams and lotions containing benzoyl peroxide. Another medication, tretinoin, is available as a cream, lotion or gel and is also recommended for mild cases of acne. Creams, lotions and gels may be prescribed for inflammatory acne in mild cases.

A popular home remedy is toothpaste. After washing the face at night, toothpaste is applied to each pimple using a cotton ball. It is applied only to the pimple and not to the rest of the face. The toothpaste should be left on overnight and washed off the next morning. Acne can t be prevented but the complications from it can be. It is important to wash your face twice daily with soap and water. Ordinary soap can be used. No special soaps are required. People who are susceptible to acne should choose cosmetics carefully as some products can plug the pores of the skin. They should always look for cosmetics that are labeled oil free.