The ABCs of Acne

The ABCs of Acne

Medically known as a disease of features known as pilosebaceous units (PSUs), acne is the most common skin disorder occurring during the second and third decades of life.  It is an inflammatory skin condition brought on by overactive sebaceous glands (oil glands). 

What causes acne?

Sex hormones: Dermatologists (skin specialists) believe that acne is partly the result of the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands and the hair follicles. Increases in sex hormones called androgens that occur in both boys and girls during puberty. Androgens cause sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum in hair follicles. It has been also believed that changes in hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts can aggravate acne

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or to starting or stopping use of birth control pills

Family history: Sometimes, acne occurs because of genetics i.e. when you are prone to it because of heredity

Bacteria: Often bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) can be present also, which can contribute to the redness, swelling and pus that can accompany lesions.

Drugs: Some medicines (e.g., some birth control pills, cortisone, dilantin)

Who is at risk of acne?

Teenagers: Though acne is common in teen years, it can affect people of all ages. However, acne affects almost all teens.

People with family history: If you have parents, grandparents or first / blood relatives with the history of acne, you are more vulnerable to the development of acne in your body as well

People at stress: People facing increased mental and / or physical stress are also at risk.

People using oil-based skin products: Oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered in the work environment can also make acne worse. Similarly, hot, humid climate and oily makeup also contributes greatly to the severity of the problem.

People using “pressure” products: pressure from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sports uniforms can increase the severity of acne

Those using irritants or friction-causing stuff: Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity, squeezing or picking at blemishes and hard scrubbing of the skin, all can lead to acute and severe form of acne

How acne occurs?

Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil. At puberty the oil glands in the skin begin producing an oily material called sebum.  Bacteria become trapped in these pores and irritate the skin and hair follicle. The irritation around the plugged pore and hair follicle forms a red bump called acne. A black plug, or blackhead, is formed when the dead skin comes to the surface.

Signs & symptoms:

Spurred by inflammation of skin glands and of tiny, narrow canals in the skin known as hair follicles, acne is marked by pimples and other lesions.

The earliest lesion of acne is a plugging of the pores of the skin. It usually involves the face, and frequently the chest and back.

Treatment of acne

The type of treatment people with acne get depends on the severity of the outbreak. There are OTC products for mild cases, while a visit to a health care professional such as a dermatologist may be in order for the more stubborn cases.

Medical treatment: People with moderate to severe inflammatory acne may be treated with prescription topical or oral medicines, alone or in combination. Similarly, people with nodules or cysts should be treated by a dermatologist

Types of prescription topical medicines used to treat acne include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, dapsone, and vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids.

OTC treatment: Topical OTC medicines are applied to the skin and come in many forms, including gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and pads. Typical OTC treatments for mild acne include benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur.