What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the follicles of your hair become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It is the cause of whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Acne is most common in teenagers, but it can affect people of any age.

Acne treatments are effective, but acne can be stubborn. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one starts to fade, others appear.

Acne, depending on its severity, can cause emotional distress as well as skin scarring. The earlier you begin treatment, the lower your risk of such complications.

SYMPTOMS

Acne symptoms vary according to the severity of your condition:

Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)

Blackheads (open plugged pores)

Small red bumps that are tender (papules)

Pimples (pustules) are papules that have pus at their tips.

Under the skin, there are large, solid, painful lumps (nodules)

Under the skin, painful, pus-filled lumps (cystic lesions)

Acne is most commonly found on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?

If self-care remedies do not clear up your acne, consult your primary care physician. He or she has the authority to prescribe stronger medications. If your acne persists or becomes severe, you should seek medical attention from a dermatologist (dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist).

Acne can last for decades in many women, with flare-ups common a week before menstruation. In women who use contraception, this type of acne usually clears up on its own.

A sudden onset of severe acne in older adults may indicate an underlying disease that necessitates medical attention.

The FDA warns that some popular nonprescription acne lotions, cleansers, and other skin products can cause a serious reaction. This is a rare reaction, so don't confuse it with redness, irritation, or itchiness in areas where you've applied medications or products.

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms after using a skin product:

Faintness

Breathing difficulties

Eye, face, lip, or tongue swelling

Throat constriction

CAUSES

Acne is caused by four major factors:

Excessive production of oil (sebum)

Oil and dead skin cells clog hair follicles

Bacteria\sInflammation

Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders because these are the areas of skin with the most oil (sebaceous) glands. Oil glands are linked to hair follicles.

A whitehead can form if the follicle wall bulges. Alternatively, the plug may be exposed to the surface and darken, resulting in a blackhead. A blackhead may appear to be dirt stuck in the pores. However, the pore is clogged with bacteria and oil, which turns brown when exposed to air.

Pimples are raised red spots with a white center that form when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or bacterially infected. Blockages and inflammation deep within hair follicles cause cystlike lumps beneath the skin's surface. Other pores in your skin, which are sweat gland openings, are not usually involved in acne.

Certain factors can cause or worsen acne:

Changes in hormones. Androgens are hormones that increase during puberty in both boys and girls, causing the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Hormonal changes in midlife, particularly in women, can also cause breakouts.

Some medications. Corticosteroid, testosterone, and lithium-containing medications are examples.

Diet. Certain foods, including carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, bagels, and chips, have been shown in studies to aggravate acne. More research is needed to determine whether specific dietary restrictions would benefit acne patients.

Stress. Stress does not cause acne, but it can aggravate it if you already have it.

Myths about acne

These elements have little impact on acne:

Chocolate and fatty foods Chocolate and greasy foods have little to no effect on acne.

Hygiene. Acne is not caused by clogged pores. In fact, scrubbing the skin too hard or using harsh soaps or chemicals can irritate the skin and worsen acne.

Cosmetics. Cosmetics do not always aggravate acne, especially if you use oil-free makeup that does not clog pores (noncomedogenics) and remove your makeup on a regular basis. Nonoily cosmetics do not impair the effectiveness of acne medications.

Complications

People with darker skin are more likely than those with lighter skin to suffer from the following acne complications:

Scars. Acne scars and thick scars (keloids) can last for a long time after acne has healed.

The skin changes. After acne has cleared, the affected skin may be darker (hyperpigmented) or lighter (hypopigmented) than before.

Risk elements

Acne risk factors include:

Age: Acne can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in teenagers.

Changes in hormones: These kinds of changes are common during puberty or pregnancy.

A family tree. Acne is influenced by genetics. Acne is more likely to develop if both of your parents had it.

Substances that are greasy or oily. Acne can form when your skin comes into contact with oil or oily lotions and creams.

Pressure or friction on your skin. Telephones, cellphones, helmets, tight collars, and backpacks can all contribute to this.

ACNE IS ALSO PIMPLES!