Acne vulgaris
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What is acne?
What are the causes of acne?
What are the types of acne?
How to prevent acne?
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What is acne?
Acne vulgaris, mostly known as acne is a skin disease of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Acne is common during puberty and adolescence affecting nearly more than 70 % of youngsters. These are mostly due to hormonal chasnges in the body during these phases of life and based on lifestyles of teenagers. |
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What are the causes of acne?
Acne is mainly caused by the blocking of the follicles and by the increase in production of sebum from sebaceous gland. Some of the possible causes are:
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Due to hormonal changes in puberty, during menstruation. In males during puberty there is an increase in male sex hormones. |
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Bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes is normally found on skin which causes inflammation resulting in papules, nodules, pustules. |
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The dead cells in the follicles continuously shed out on skin surface. With increased production of sebum by sebaceous glands, the dead cells with the sebum develop a plug in the follicle causing obstruction leading to acne formation. |
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Unhealthy food habits like having junk food, burgers, fried food, chocolates can also lead to acne formation. |
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Many skin care and cosmetic products may lead to clogging of the pores of the skin which results in acne. |
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Pregnant women and those who are on oral contraceptive pills may get acne due to hormonal changes. |
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Acne vulgaris can be hereditary. |
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Maintaining unhygienic conditions like not washing the face or not taking bath regularly. Dirt and bacteria gets accumulated on skin leading to clogging of pores. |
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What are the types of acne?
Whiteheads: These results when pores are completely blocked by dead cells of skin and bacteria leading to a white appearance where oxygen cannot reach the follicles. These are also known as closed comedones.
Blackheads: These results when the pores are partially blocked by dead cells of skin and bacteria. The black colour is due to melanin reacting with the oxygen in the air. These are also known as open comedones.
Papules: They are small, inflammatory, pink or red pimples in the size varying from pinhead to 1 cm.
Pustules: They are small, pus filled, inflammatory pimples the size of papules.
Nodules: They are similar to papules but bigger than 1 cm in size. They are severe forms of acne vulgaris. They stay for long and are very painful. |
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How to prevent acne?
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Wash your face 2 – 3 times daily with a soap or your face-wash. |
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Do not prick or squeeze acne as it may worsen it. |
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Drink plenty of water and eat green leafy vegetables. |
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Sleep for atleast 8 hours and exercise regularly. |
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Avoid using harsh chemicals, creams and gels. |
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For women, use oil-free makeup if you are prone to acne. |
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In severe form of acne, contact your dermatologist who may start antibiotic treatment, hormonal medications and external applications. |
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