PIMPLES

What Is Acne / Pimple?
Acne is a disease that affects the skin’s oil producing glands. The small holes in your skin (pores) connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle and out onto the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a (Acne) pimple grows.

Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is not a serious health threat, but it can cause scars.

How Does Acne Develop?

Acne occurs when sebum is not able to pass through the hair root (follicle). Sometimes, the hair, sebum, and dead skin cells in the follicle clump together to form a plug. The bacteria in the plug may cause inflammation and hence swelling. When it can no longer hold the contents it bursts and spills the sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria onto the skin surface.
There are many types of pimples. The most common types are:

• Whiteheads (Closed Comedones) - These are pimples that stay under the surface of the skin.
• Blackheads (Open comedones) - These pimples rise to the skin’s surface and look black once they open up and drain the sebum. The black color is not from dirt.
• Papules - These are small pink bumps that can be tender.
• Pustules - These pimples are red at the bottom and have pus on top.
• Nodules - These are large, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin.
• Cysts - These are deep, painful, pus-filled pimples that can cause scars.

Who Gets Acne?

Acne is the most common skin condition. People of all races and ages get acne. But it is most common in teenagers and young adults. An estimated 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. Some people in their forties and fifties also acne.

What Causes Acne?

The cause of acne is unknown. Doctors think certain factors might cause it:

• The hormone increase in teenage years (this can cause the oil glands to plug up more often)
• Hormone changes during pregnancy
• Starting or stopping birth control pills
• Heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it, too)
• Some types of medicines
• Greasy /oily makeup.

How Is Acne Treated?

Acne is treated by doctors who work with skin problems (dermatologists). Treatment tries to:

• Heal pimples
• Stop new pimples from forming
• Prevent scarring
• Help reduce the embarrassment of having acne.

Early treatment is the best way to prevent scars. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Some acne medicines are put right on the skin (topical). Other medicines are pills that you swallow (oral). Sometimes you may have to use more than one medicine.

How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?

Here are some ways to care for skin if you have acne:

• Clean skin gently. Use a soap cleanser in the morning, evening, and after heavy workouts. Scrubbing the skin does not stop acne. It can even make the problem worse.
• Try not to touch your skin. People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their pimples can get scars or dark spots on their skin.
• Shave carefully. If you shave, you can try both electric and safety razors to see which works best. With safety razors, use a sharp blade. Also, it helps to soften your beard with soap and water before putting on shaving cream. Shave lightly and only when you have to.
• Stay out of the sun. Many acne medicines can make people more likely to sunburn. Being in the sun a lot can also make skin wrinkle.
• Choose makeup carefully. All makeup should be oil free. Look for the word “non-comedogenic” on the label. This means that the makeup will not clog up your pores. But some people still get acne even if they use these products.
• Shampoo your hair regularly. If your hair is oily, you may want to shampoo daily.

What Things Can Make Acne Worse?

Some things can make acne worse:

• Changing hormone levels in teenage girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their period starts
• Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
• Pollution and high humidity
• Squeezing or picking at pimples
• Hard scrubbing of the skin.

What Are Some Myths About the Causes of Acne?

There are many myths about what causes acne. Dirty skin and stress do not cause acne. Also, chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne in most people.

What Research Is Being Done on Acne?

Scientists are looking at new ways to treat acne. Current research includes:

• Working on new drugs to treat acne, including new topical antibiotics
• Looking at ways to prevent plugs
• Looking at ways to stop the hormone testosterone from causing acne
• Understanding more about bacteria on the skin.

In some patients, acne medications cause side effects such as irritation on skin, burning or redness. These side effects are usually mild and stop after sometime. Severe side effects should be brought to the notice of the doctor.

 It may take 4-8 weeks before improvement is noticed by the patient.

Some common topical medications used for acne are :

·        Benzoyl peroxide

·        Clindamycin

·        Erythromycin

·        Tetracycline

·        Tretinoin

·        Adapalene

Other treatments for acne include :

·        Hormonal treatment

·        Low – dose corticosteroids

·        Anti androgen medicines

·        Removal of comedones by dermatologists

·        Steroid injections in the acne

·        Skin peeling therapy for uneven skin

·        Cosmetic surgery for scar improvement.