What is acne?
Acne is a common skin condition. It causes bumps on the skin called pimples. Pimples form when tiny hair follicles on your skin become clogged with dead skin and oil. This causes bacteria to grow and irritate the skin. Pimples usually appear on the face. However, they can appear on the back, chest, arms, and neck. Acne usually begins during your early teen years. It may persist or begin in adulthood. Both boys and girls receive it.
Symptoms
- Small, raised, red spots.
- White, fluid-filled pimples.
- Blackheads (looks like pepper in your pores).
- Solid, soft lump under the skin.
What causes acne?
Acne is caused by debris clogging the hair follicles in your skin. Debris is made up of dead skin and oil. This blockage allows bacteria to grow in the hair follicle. There are several types:
- Whiteheads: The tiny hair follicles on your skin become clogged with oil and dead skin. A “whitehead” forms at the top of each pimple.
- Blackhead: Clogged hair follicles near the surface of the skin. It turns black when exposed to air.
- Cystic acne: This happens when cysts form deep in the skin around the hair follicle.
Family history of contributing to acne. If your parents had severe acne, you might as well. Your immune system also plays a role. Some people are extremely sensitive to bacteria trapped in their hair follicles.
How to diagnosed?
Usually, your doctor can diagnose acne by checking your skin for irritation. He or she will also consider your age, lifestyle, or circumstances. For example, some women get acne during pregnancy. Some teenagers and adults get acne from certain foods.
Can acne be prevented or avoided?
It cannot be prevented or avoided. However, some people can reduce the severity by knowing the cause of the irritation. Because mussels have more oil, they tend to have more severe acne. They have more skin oils. For many people, it disappears by the age of 25. However, it can continue into adulthood.
Several things can trigger or make it worse:
- Hormonal changes. This happens during puberty, before a woman’s period (menstrual cycle), during pregnancy, or during menopause.
- Some drugs. This includes supplements or steroids that increase testosterone.
- Makeup (cosmetic), especially oil-based products, sunscreen and hair products.
- Stress.
- Select or pop an existing pimple.
- Rub the skin too hard.
- Certain foods, including sugary drinks, white bread, and rice, have been shown to increase acne.
Treatment
Acne can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications. Your doctor will determine which is best for you.
OTC treatments include:
- Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. This is the most common treatment. It comes in the form of lotion, gel, soap, or cleansing pad. It kills bacteria and dries out the oil. It can take up to 8 weeks to see any improvement. Side effects include skin irritation, burning, and redness.
Prescription drugs include:
- Retinoid cream or gel. They are applied to pimples. Pregnant women should not use certain retinoid products. They can cause birth defects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Sun exposure can irritate acne treated with retinoid creams.
- antibiotics. Some antibiotics can be used with other acne treatments.
- isotretinoin. This is a strong drug that is available under certain brand names. It can cause serious side effects. Talk to your doctor about side effects.
- Birth control pills. They are sometimes effective for women who have been diagnosed with acne.
Complementary treatments are available at your doctor’s office. These include peeling, excision of the skin, and laser or light treatments. These treatments can reduce scarring caused by acne. Small injections of steroid medication can help treat large acne cysts. Finally, some lifestyle changes can help. This includes a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Living with it.
Having acne can cause embarrassment and anxiety. Some people may feel overwhelmed by the extra time and effort you put into your daily cleaning routine. And it may require changes to your diet and lifestyle.