Acne can have a short-term, potentially lasting psychological effect. Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence can lead to social withdrawal and even depression. Left untreated, severe acne can lead to disfiguring scarring, which can itself be difficult to treat.
Acne commonly starts in the early teen years, when the oil glands in the body start making more sebum (oil). It is considered an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches his or her early twenties.Some people also have too many "sticky" skin cells. In people who have acne, these cells mix with the oil and plug up the hair follicles in the skin.
Acne is due to an overactivity and plugging of the oil glands. The main cause of acne is an increased levels of hormones during adolescence. It is not caused by diet. A person who has acne does not have to avoid eating fried foods, chocolate, or any other food. Acne is not caused by sexual activity. It is not caused by dirt or by not washing your face often enough.
A "whitehead" results when the hair follicle is plugged with oil and skin cells. If this plug reaches the surface of the skin and the air touches it, it turns black and is called a "blackhead." A blackhead isn't caused by dirt.If the wall of a plugged follicle breaks, the area swells and turns into a red bump. If the follicle wall breaks near the skin surface, the bump usually becomes a pimple. If the wall breaks deep in the skin, acne nodules or cysts can form. This is called "cystic acne
Your hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate the hair and skin. Sebum normally travels up along the hair shafts and then out through the opening of the hair follicle onto the surface of your skin.When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, they accumulate in the hair follicle and form a soft plug. As the plug enlarges, the follicle wall can rupture, allowing more oil and skin cells to accumulate. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in acne.
Acne commonly appears on the face and shoulders, but may also occur on the trunk, arms, legs, and buttocks.It is most common in teenagers, but it can happen at an age, even as an infant. Three out of four teenagers have acne to some extent, probably caused by hormonal changes that stimulate oil production. However, people in their 30s and 40s may also have acne.
Acne an inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous follicles most commonly involves the face. It affects mostly teenage group of population. Treatment varies according to the severity and type of acne. Topical treatment includes Benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, isotretinoin, azelaic acid, and antibacterials [erythromycin and clindamycin].
Systemic treatment includes antibiotics [tetracycline, minocycline, clindamycin, erythromycin and sulponamides], Isotretinoin, Hormones and steroids, whereas physical treatment is for the selected cases of acne and post acne scars. Early and active treatment not only causes remission of the disease but also prevents the development of post acne scars and disfigurement. Misconceptions and false beliefs on acne are widespread and enduring among the youth. Health education program on acne is needed to improve their understanding of the condition.
Recently,the results of two pivotal studies demonstrate that a topical antibiotic gel sold as Aczone is safe and effective against severe blemishes and pimples go along with being a teenager.
The acne gel permits safe and effective doses of dapsone, the active ingredient, to be administered topically with minimal internal absorption.
In two identically designed 12-week studies, 3,010 acne sufferers aged 12 or older were randomly assigned to twice daily Aczone or inactive control gel.
Aczone-treated patients achieved "superior results," Dr. Zoe D. Draelos, of Dermatology Counseling Services in Highpoint, North Carolina, and associates report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
A significantly greater number of patients treated with Aczone had "no acne or minimal acne on completion of treatment," they write.
In some cases, acne began to clear as early as 2 weeks after beginning Aczone.
Aczone gel, Draelos told Reuters Health, "represents the first new antibiotic for acne therapy in many years."
"For individuals who would like to avoid the side effects and issues regarding oral antibiotics, topical dapsone is an effective alternative," Draelos added.
The most common side effects reported in clinical trials with Aczone include oiliness/peeling, dryness and abnormal redness of the skin.
Aczone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of acne in patients 12 years and older.
Aside from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and depression or suicide.Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be most socially insecure. Early and aggressive treatment is therefore advocated to lessen the overall impact to individuals.
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