Author: Wendy Addams
Source: ezinearticles.com
Approximately 75% of adolescents and young adults suffer from acne. Some adults also suffer from acne.
Although the exact cause of acne is still a mystery, much is known about how acne develops in the skin, and there are many medications available to treat the condition.
Causes of Acne
Acne is a condition of the skin which is caused by over activity in the glands that produce the oils in the skin. The majority of acne occurs on the face, where the largest number of these glands exist. the back and chest are also commonly affected.
Several factors are responsible for the production of acne. Mainly it is the sex hormones, produced at puberty that affect acne. Testosterone (found in men and women)triggers the sebaceous glands under the skin to produce more oil called sebum. Confusingly enough, most people who suffer from acne do not have a hormone issue. Their hormones are at normal levels.
With an excess of oil on the skin, the pore can become clogged. Then, a bacteria called Propionobacterium acnes which lives naturally in the skin starts to multiply within the clogged pore. This becomes an infection which causes the skin around the pore to become red and inflamed. In severe cases of acne, the pocket of inflammation ruptures and causes damage to the skin.
Acne Spots
There are many different types of spots caused by acne. Blackheads (also called comedones) are caused by a blockage of pores and they get their dark colour from excess skin pigment in the area.
Whiteheads occur near the skin surface where excess sebum gets trapped in the follicle. The glands can also become infected.
In severe acne, cysts can develop beneath the skins surface. These can be very painful and rupture causing the infection to spread into other tissue.
Medical Treatment
Many people think that acne is a superficial complaint. However it can be a source of extreme emotional distress and self esteem issues. There are a range of treatment options available to help minimize acne.
Self Treatment
It is very important to keep acne prone problem areas clean. It’s a good idea to wash the area twice a day with a cleanser that has no added perfumes, which can dry out the skin. Special face washes are available that are developed specifically for oily skin. You don’t want your skin to get too dry though, so make sure you don’t use too strong a cleanser, or follow up your cleansing routine with a natural moisturizer.
Prescription Medication
If you visit your doctor, they will often begin treatment for mild to moderate acne with a solution of benzoyl peroxide which helps minimize bacteria on the skin. For more severe acne there are a range of other treatment options available that can either be used topically or be taken orally.
Non-Prescription Medication
Over the counter face cleansers are available at most pharmacies. These also contain benzoyl peroxide in lower strengths than those available through a doctor.
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Tags: acne, condition, range treatment options, skin, treatment options available