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Acne pimples teenage nightmare Know everything

Acne is a skin condition which occurs when hair follicles become plugged due to oil and dead skin cells. It causes pimples, black heads and white heads. It most commonly occurs in teenage group.

Acne is a distressing condition which commonly occurs on face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders because these areas of skin have the most oil (sebaceous glands).

CAUSES OF ACNE include:

• Excess of oil production from sebaceous glands.
• Hair follicles become clogged by oil and dead skin cells.
• Inflammation
• Bacteria

HORMONAL CHANGES:

Hormonal changes in the teenage is the most common cause of acne. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during teenage and cause sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes also cause mood variations in women. Air pollution and certain weather conditions, especially high humidity. Usage of medicines like corticosteroids, testosterone, lithium.

Diet which includes fried food, carbohydrate, oily foods pre disposes to acne.

Stress increases acne.

Family History- increased risk of acne if both parents had acne.

Pimples are raised red spots with white center that develop when blocked hair follicles becomes infected and inflamed with bacteria inflammation and blockages deep inside hair follicles produce cyst like lumps beneath the surface of skin. Pores on the skin are the openings of the sweat glands.

Pustules- Pimples containing pus.

COMPLICATIONS:

• Scar occurs in few people once acne got healed.
• After acne has cleared, skin may be hyperpigmented or lighter (hypopigmented).

Acne can be divided into:

GRADE 1: Mild- Few papules and pustules, mostly with black head and white heads.

GRADE 2: Moderate- Multiple papules and pustules mostly on face.

GRADE 3: Moderately Severe (nodulocystic acne)- Numerous papules and pustules, along with occasionally inflamed nodules, face, back, chest is affected.

GRADE 4: Sever Nodulocystic acne- numerous large, painful and inflamed pustules and nodules.

TREATMENT OF ACNE:

Topical application includes

• Salicylic Acid: It removes dead skin cells and prevents hair follicles from clogging.
• Azelaic Acid: It kills micro-organisms on skin and reduces swelling.
• Benzoyl Peroxide: It targets surface bacteria which often aggravates acne.
• Retinoids (vitamin A

These should be used on the entire area of skin affected by acne to prevent the formation of new pimples.

• Antibiotics: Usualantibiotics includes clindamycin and erythromycin which control surface bacteria that aggravates acne. More effective when combined with benzoyl peroxide.

Oral antibiotics such as minocycline and doxycycline are commonly used to treat acne.

• Isotretinoin: It is used in severe cases of acne. It shrinks size of oil glands, which contributes to acne formation.
• Steroids: Steroids are used rarely to treat severe acne to reduce inflammation.
• Laser: Lasers are primarily used to treat acne scar. Laser scar removal is a non-invasive method of improving the appearance of scars by blending pigmentation with that ofsurrounding healthyskin. Laser resurfacing, uses a laser to send out brief pulses of high energy light that are absorbed by water and substances in the skin.
• Chemical Peel: Chemical peel also known chemexfoliation or dermapeeling, uses a chemical solution to improve the appearance of the skin.

When to consult a Dermatologist?

If acne does not improve with medications or in case of moderate to severe acne, it is better to consult a certified dermatologist.

Prevention of acne:

• Wash your face daily with lukewarm water and mild face wash
• Use moisturizers regularly. (Morning & Evening)
• Use noncomedgene products for make up and remove make up at the end of each day.