Acne

Acne can be distressing and annoyingly persistent and also cause significant emotional distress as well as physical discomfort. Acne is also called Zits. Pimples. Blemishes. Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Its the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules). Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent, however, the disease are not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 30s, 40 and 60s can get acne. Acne can be upsetting; disfiguring, decreased self-esteem and self-confidence can lead to social withdrawal and even depression. Left untreated, severe acne can lead to disfiguring scarring, which itself can be difficult to treat.

What causes Acne?

No one knows exactly what causes acne. Acne can be caused by the over activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin. The sebaceous glands of people with acne are especially sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, found naturally in both men and women. Testosterone in people prone to acne triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum.

Hormones likely play a role in the development of acne, making the condition most common in teenagers. During puberty, the production of male sex hormones (androgens) increases in both girls and boys, which can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. In some people, the sebaceous glands are extremely sensitive to androgens. These people, mostly men, get acne so severely that they need medical treatment. Some adult women experience mild to moderate acne due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, their menstrual cycles, or starting or stopping birth control pills.

Direct skin exposure to greasy or oily substances, or to certain cosmetics. A family history of acne, if your parents had acne, you're likely to develop it too. Irregular shedding of dead skin cells resulting in irritation of the hair follicles of your skin. Friction or pressure on your skin caused by items such as telephones or cell phones, helmets, tight collars and backpacks. There is also the case with environmental irritants such as pollution, intense heat, humidity or cold.

Types of Acne

When you read about acne or other skin diseases, you encounter words or phrases that may be confusing. For example, the words used to describe the lesions of acne

• Comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Comedones are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions, dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria. When comedones are open at the skin surface they're called blackheads because of the dark appearance of the plugs in the hair follicles. When comedones are closed, they're called whiteheads — slightly raised, skin-colored bumps.
• Cysts. These are painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin. These boil-like infections can cause scars.
• Nodules. These are large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. They're formed by the buildup of secretions deep within hair follicles.
• Papules. These are small raised bumps that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles. Papules may be red and tender.
• Pustules. Similar to papules, pustules are red, tender bumps with white pus at their tips.

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The information posted here should not be considered medical advice, and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified dermatology professional.