What is Acne? Acne or it may also be known as cystic acne or vulgaris acne is a very common skin imbalance or disease that is experienced by pre-adolescents and young people usually in puberty and may well last till the age of 25 years, or it may even last unto adulthood.
The skin is known to be a breeding ground for particles and bacteria, as with the constant exposure to the outdoor elements and with all the chemicals used by individuals that are floating around even in the most secured areas of habitation, the epidermis, does the job necessary to protect the body and the individual. A
Although, in the case of acne, there are various causes as to why acne has come to be. Acne is a disease that is usually found on the face, the back part of an individual and the upper front chest area. Acne is often accompanied by other skin irritations, such as pimples, whiteheads or blackheads, pinheads (papules) and large papules (nodules), this other skin irritants may or may not be present in every individual.
Acne is not inflammatory, but if left untreated and becomes infected, it may cause a sense of burning to the area. Acne grows in areas where there are hair follicles, which grow out of pores in the skin these pores produce a waxy, oily substance being produced by the sebaceous glands with the purpose of providing lubrication to the skin, and hair. For adolescents, a boost in testosterone levels affect the glands into producing more of the lubricating substance called sebum, an overproduction in sebum causes oily hair, oily skin, and covers skin pores, cutting off moisture.
Whiteheads and blackheads are also outcome of this over secretion of sebum. This cycle affects both male and female individuals, although for the females, the introduction of the menstrual cycle, may allow the acne to linger on much longer than the usual. Even then, treatment for the disease is abundant and may be purchased in drugstores and may bring about instant relief. Acne causes scarring in the affected area, this is caused by an inflammation within the skin, scarring is a result of collagenic overproduction present during the healing process.
These physical scars may be described as the following types:
- Rolling Scars-described as wave like in appearance.
- Hypertrophic Scars-this are scars that look thick and ridge like. Large Nodules also called cysts are the results of inflammatory acne, and may grow in the buttocks, armpits, groin areas, this is called a cystic acne, this type of acne is accompanied by boils, this can be painful, and may cause other skin related problems such as pigmentation. Medication and treatment for cystic acne is available.
- Box-Car scars-these are not unlike chicken pox scars, described as angular scars found on the cheeks or temples, it may be deep or topical.
- Ice pick scars- these are the most common scars described as deep pits.
Treatment for common acne comes in the form of creams such as; benzoyl peroxide, which is the most effective for simple acne cases. Antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracyclines are used as treatment for more severe cases of acne.
For the female population, due to hormonal imbalances brought about by the menstrual cycle hormonal treatments are recommended, such as: estrogen methods of hormonal contraception may be used.
There are medicines that normalize the follicle cell life cycle these are called topical Retinoids such as Retin A, Differin, Tazorac, these creams are fortified with Vitamin A, and are generally used for topical applications and have much milder side effects. For inflammation nicotinamide is a form of treatment that has shown good effects. Ibuprofen coupled with tetracycline, may also be used for milder inflammation and pain.
For those individuals wishing to try alternative forms of treatment, the tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) whose oil is comparable to the effectiveness of benzoyl Peroxide and is anti-inflammatory as well. Aloe Vera herbs, Turmeric powder and papaya also claim to have acne curing effects, although not substantiated by any medical lab work. Finally, the best and most effective treatment may be, exercise and keeping the body clean as much as possible.
Exercise in itself will improve blood circulation and will be transporting blood rich in oxygen to all cells of the body, further nourishing the system and flushing out whatever is dirty and impure. This may open up to the individual another alternative way in treatment, in that health and the physical well being of an individual reduces stress, relaxes the muscles, focuses the energies of the individual on a positive path, and this in turn relaxes the mind, frees the individual from tensions thereby uplifting the mood of the individual. Health is wealth, so the saying goes.
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