Acne

Acne (also known as acne vulgaris) is a common skin condition that is usually identified as scaly red skin, pimples, blackheads/whiteheads, and pinheads. The most common sites for acne breakouts include the back, upper chest, and face.

Acne is most common during the adolescence years, but can suddenly appear or continue throughout adulthood. While most cases of acne that begin during puberty disappear or at the minimum decrease by the age of 25, some individuals have dealt with acne through their thirties, or even their whole lives.

Acne develops when blockages form in hair follicles. This blockage can result in a pimple as keratin and sebum accumulate below the surface level of the skin.

Acne can also come in the form of comedones, whiteheads and blackheads that form when pores are clogged with sebum, your skin's natural oil, and dead skin cells.

Inflamed pimples that are located near the skins surface are known as papules. Much deeper pimples are often referred to as pustules. The most severe type of acne consists of cysts and nodules.

Symptoms of Acne

Acne is characterized by raised red bumps present on the surface of the skin. These areas can come in the form of any of the following:

• Cysts
• Scars
• Whiteheads
• Pustules
• Blackheads
• Crusty Skin Bumps
• Papules

If symptoms persist for more than four months for mild acne or the acne is severe, make an appointment with a health professional such as a dermatologist. Acne is a common trigger for depression in teenagers and permanent scarring can occur if serious acne isn't treated properly.

Causes of Acne

Acne is most often present in teenagers, but anyone can experience acne, including infants. An estimated three out of four teenagers will experience acne during puberty as hormonal changes can trigger increased sebum production and oilier skin. Acne has also been linked to genetics, with common triggers including:

• Greasy hair products or cosmetics
• Menstrual periods, pregnancy, or stress
• Some drugs like steroids, estrogen, and phenytoin
• High humidity or excess sweating

While diets consisting of too much refined sugar have been linked to increased cases of acne, there is no evidence to support claims that greasy food, chocolate, or nuts cause acne.

Acne Treatments

Mild acne can often be treated at home by washing the affected area and using over-the-counter treatments. By gently washing your face twice a day with regular warm water and soap, you can help rid your face of dead skin cells, which can clog your pores. There are topical treatments at pharmacies that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid; effective treatments for mild cases of acne. Mild acne can last four to eight weeks.

Moderate to severe acne normally requires the assistance of a dermatologist. Treatments such as light therapy and comedo extraction can be performed to help not only get rid of the acne, but eliminate the pain associated with the skin condition.

Other treatments are topical retinoids, oral antibiotics, and over-the-counter medications. Early treatment is the best bet when dealing with moderate-to-severe acne.

The longer an individual waits to seek treatment, the greater the risk for scarring to occur. These scars can appear as raised areas of the skin or as pits in the skin.

Severe acne that manifests primarily as cysts. These cysts occur deep within the skin and cause inflammation, damage, and scarring of the skin. There is no over-the-counter product that will help to eliminate severe acne. There are, however, surgical excisions available oral antibiotics, isotretinoin, and interlesional corticosteroid injections.

Corticosteroid shots can help with the inflammation of the cysts and help with the scarring that may appear while promoting healing. Isotretinoin is an oral medicine that is taken once to twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks and helps reduce inflammation and scarring.