Zit, pimple, blackhead, whitehead, rash, bump…spread through and affect about 50 million people. Acne is the most common skin condition in the US.
Most of acne cases can be treated. can range from , through , whitehead and papule, to deep, inflamed and nodules filled with pus. It is most visible on the facial skin but can also appear on the back, chest, neck, shoulders, arms and buttocks.
Acne affects young people both and girls primarily during but can occur at any age. Statistics show that 8 in 10 preteens have acne, and a growing number of women are developing it in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Even newborn can have it.
Common acne tends to occurs to 8-12 years, as the first sign of puberty. It is most common in girls at 14-17 years old and boys at 16-19. It normally disappears by age 25. About 80% of people aged 11-30 will have it at some time. It is not uncommon for women to have a first outbreak after 20. If there is often a family history: if one parent had it, the child is likely to develop it as well.
Despite its prevalence, conflicting and inaccurate information and myths can make acne very hard to deal with. In some cases what helps one patient will not help another, and the success of readily available treatments depends on the severity of the condition.
Learning what causes acne and ways of coping with it can help relieve and even eliminate the negative effects.
What causes acne?
Our skin is covered with tiny holes called hair follicles, pilosebaceous follicles or pores. The skin (follicle) contains sebaceous glands, which produce sebum that prevents hair and skin from drying out.
When sebum and dead skin cells be Acne forms when sebum and dead skin cells become trapped in a hair follicle.
Dead skin cells normally rise to the surface of pores, to be shed by the body.
In boys and girls aged 13-18 during puberty, hormones can produce excess oil production that it clumps together with dead skin cells inside the pore. The cells and oil become trapped inside the pore, creating a sticky plug: this is acne.
If the bacteria that live on the skin enter the blocked pore, they can quickly cause skin . If the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears then.
Acne is not contagious, and it is not caused by greasy foods or chocolate, makeup or .
Besides hormonal factors, a connection between high glycemic load and acne has been suggested. Oily makeup should be avoided as it can clog up the pores; environmental factors such as pollution and high humidity, and oil in the air are also potential triggers. Smoking and tobaccos can also worsen acne in adults.
Other Effects of Acne
One of the many myths about acne is that it needs to “run its natural course.” While not physically serious, it can have long lasting effects on patients, which can be reduced if medical treatment is sought.
Acne impact on self-esteem is well documented; it can causes severe , loss of confidence, social withdrawal and absence from school and work. Grades can be influenced; bullying and isolation may occur. Teen depressive disorder and have been attributed with “bad” acne.
Physical results include brown dark spots or scars on the skin that may take months or years to disappear; cysts and nodules can cause permanent scarring.
All these can be helped or prevented with appropriate treatment.