Acne: Overview
If you are between the ages of 12 to 24, chances are you
suffer from some form of acne. Reports show that as much as
85% of people experience intermittent and/or serious forms of
acne well into their forties. Acne is a skin disease
that is neither blood related or contagious. It manifests
in all genders, age and races. The good news is there are many
natural ways to prevent acne from happening.
Acne is the result of sebaceous glands, which are the skin's
oil glands, that are over producing, as well as blocked pilosebaceous
units imbedded deep beneath the skin causing blocked pores.
Primarily, acne develops from blocked pilosebaceous canals.
The combination of obstructed canals by hardened sebum and dead
cells which may accumulate and block the ejection of dirt and
body wastes can provide a breeding ground for Propionibacterium
acnes or what is called the "P" acnes in the follicle walls
or hair pores. These acne-infecting bacteria attract white blood
cells. The area then gets inflamed due to the reaction of the
body to the activities eventually leading to the growth of acne.
Acne comes in many forms. It is basically categorized into
three:
• Whiteheads and blackheads or closed and open clogs respectively.
• Mild inflammatory acne which includes papules and pustules.
• Cystic acnes or nodules.
Moreover, acne may come in many types, each possessing their
own characteristics. Some types may be inter-related and some
have their independent origins.
• Comedo- or microcomedo, the smallest type of lesion)
• Pustules- are pus-filled, usually yellowish in colour.
• Nodules- are the same with pustules only varying in size and
the degree of swelling.
• Papules- are typically inflamed pimples.
• Cysts- are pus filled and have sac-like formation. This is
the most severe form of acne.
There are other forms of acne like:
• Acne vulgaris-the most common form which is comprised of
blackheads and whiteheads. It is normally found around the shoulders,
the surface of the face, and the forehead.
• Infantile acne- which occurs to infants or new born babies.
• Acne rosacea- acne growing on the skin surface of adults,
especially middle-aged women.
• Scalp folliculitis- or acne that manifests on the scalp and
around the hairline.
• Perioral dermatitis- which is more prevalent in women, characterized
by small pustules and papules.
• Acne conglobata- or acne vulgaris in its severe form.
• Acne fulminans- usually characterized with systematic symptoms.
Acne is a disease is difficult to fully cure. However, there
are many acne treatments to decrease the skin’s vulnerability
to acne infection. These are composed of the following:
• Homeopathic treatments or those that can be prepared at
home and are usually available over the counter (soap and water,
salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and alcohol)
• Topical acne skin care treatments or those that are
applied on the external layers of the skin.
• Oral drugs or drugs that can be taken systematically, these
are usually composed of antibiotics (like spironolactone, minocycline
and doxycycline treatments).
Causes of acne are difficult to pinpoint. Nevertheless, several
studies have determined some of the causes which may trigger
the production of acne. These include the following:
• Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes (the acne-infecting
bacteria)
• Psychological stress (also, emotional stress)
• Unhealthy diet (basically, the basis may be the diet followed
in the West which are fat-enriched)
• Improperly functioning digestive system
• Hormonal imbalances and changes ( which may be the product
of the digestive system reacting to some food items)
• Cosmetics (especially those that are oil-based)
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