Acne or Pimples is the most common skin disease affecting young people.The fact that it mostly affects young adults and adolescents across all races makes it one of the most searched health condition online.
I have however seen so many misleading write ups about acne on the internet, some of which will even worsen acne in itself. I have read articles about how fasting could help cure acne...*weird* i guess !. Some have said if you rub in Lemon Juice and take only apples for one whole week, then you would be acne free..*hillarious* you would say. I have read some of this things on blogs, and i have contacted such bloggers, to say Hey! thats a hell of wrong stuff from you. Health issues, however mild should not be joked with, and thats why i advice readers to double check whatever they read online.
WHAT CAUSES ACNE ?
Having said so much, i will now describe the mechanism by which acne develops. It occurs when the follicles in the skin clogs up, the follicle is a passage for sebum; which is a oily substance secreted by skin glands. The sebum carries dead skin cells.When this clogging happens, a bacteria called Propionibacter Acnes acts on the sebum, causing infection, inflammation and swelling around the region.
It usually affect the face, neck,back,chest and shoulder region.The hormone androgen which increases during adolescence is also thought to be responsible for the increase sebum production and increased tendency to have acne after puberty.
The choice of acne medication would depend on how mild or severe the acne, most people however have a mild form of acne, but many get disturbed due to the long persistence and the scars it leaves on the kin. Scarring can often be avoided by not popping or squeezing as discussed earlier.
Acne drugs can be in oral form, topical or injectable. Most mild acnes would however respond to topical drugs which can be bought over the counter. Some of the drugs you can buy includes the following;
I have however seen so many misleading write ups about acne on the internet, some of which will even worsen acne in itself. I have read articles about how fasting could help cure acne...*weird* i guess !. Some have said if you rub in Lemon Juice and take only apples for one whole week, then you would be acne free..*hillarious* you would say. I have read some of this things on blogs, and i have contacted such bloggers, to say Hey! thats a hell of wrong stuff from you. Health issues, however mild should not be joked with, and thats why i advice readers to double check whatever they read online.
WHAT CAUSES ACNE ?
Having said so much, i will now describe the mechanism by which acne develops. It occurs when the follicles in the skin clogs up, the follicle is a passage for sebum; which is a oily substance secreted by skin glands. The sebum carries dead skin cells.When this clogging happens, a bacteria called Propionibacter Acnes acts on the sebum, causing infection, inflammation and swelling around the region.
It usually affect the face, neck,back,chest and shoulder region.The hormone androgen which increases during adolescence is also thought to be responsible for the increase sebum production and increased tendency to have acne after puberty.
THINGS YOU SHOULD AVOID TO PREVENT ACNE
- Avoid the use of greasy cosmetics, such as soaps, body creams and facials.It is adviced that you wash your face with mild soap,that does not irritate your skin and with warm water. You should also avoid scrubbing the affected skin.
- Avoid trying to burst, rub or press the pimples, although there is a pschological tendency to want to do this and it may just be spontaneous atimes.But as much as possible avoid popping or squeezing, because this spreads the bacteria infection to adjoining skin, and even deeper causing worse swelling and redness.
- Avoid touching your face with oily and dirty objects, this may imply cleaning your glasses especially the edges in contact with your skin and also phone edges.
- Avoid tight garments that makes you sweaty and oily, loose clothing are better and ensure your scarfes, caps and headbands are clean if you must wear them.
- Avoid makeups that promote acne and always wash your face free of makeups before going to bed.
- Avoid excessive exposure to sun, because excessive heat will increase sebum production and tendency to have acne.
The choice of acne medication would depend on how mild or severe the acne, most people however have a mild form of acne, but many get disturbed due to the long persistence and the scars it leaves on the kin. Scarring can often be avoided by not popping or squeezing as discussed earlier.
Acne drugs can be in oral form, topical or injectable. Most mild acnes would however respond to topical drugs which can be bought over the counter. Some of the drugs you can buy includes the following;
- Benzoyl Peroxide : It is a topical agent that is effective in treating mild acne, it is available OTC and acts by keeping the skin less oily and also kills the bacteria causing acne.It may however cause bleeching of the skin.
- Sulfur preparation: This is also effective in treating mild acne, it howver causes irritation of the skin.There are several sulfur preparations available in topical form, an example is Nixoderm.
- Antibiotics: Oral aantibiotics are often prescribed to patients with severe acne,there are however some topical antibiotics that can be applied such as clindamycin gel, erythromycin, Neomycin and Sodium sulfacetamide.
- Topical retinoids: Adapalene, Tazarotene and tretinoin are examples of retinoid that can be used to treat severe acne, this group of drugs should however be used cautiously in women of reproductive age and should be avoided if you are planning to get pregnant, because they are teratogenic and affects developing fetus.
- Salicylic acid
- Azelaic acid
Article was written by DR. Adeyinka Adegbosin, the curator of this blogs, readers feedback are well appreciated, do not hesitate to ask questions or leave a comment if you find this article useful.
You can invite me to write topics on various health issues for you, i will most likely oblige; send mails to chainblogs@gmail.com
