If you are suffering from Acne and are tired of remedies that don’t work, well you are at the right place. In this article, we will learn about what causes Acne and what are the treatment modalities available to cure this condition.
Acne or Acne Vulgaris is a self-limiting condition. It is usually seen in teenagers and young adults. About 10-20% can suffer from Acne in their adulthood as well. Although severe Acne can sometimes become unsightly, with the right treatment it can be cured.
What Causes Acne?
As I have already mentioned Acne is a common ailment in teenagers, because at this age there is an increase in sebum (the oil naturally produced by skin) production by the sebaceous glands, the peak production of which is seen just after the individual hits puberty. This often leads to clogging of the orifice (the outlet through which sebum and sweat come out) of the hair follicle and results in the accumulation of sebum inside the follicles. Often it is infected by bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) and all these factors result in bulging and often rupture of the follicles. This can ultimately result in the following:
- A bulge in the follicle presenting as whiteheads
- Clogged plug containing debris may be open to the surface and present as Blackheads
- Infected follicles presenting as raised red spots known as Pimples and if severe, presents as nodule or cyst
Symptoms of Acne
Acne usually occurs in the face, forehead, chest, shoulders, and upper back, as those places have a higher number of sebaceous glands compared to other parts of the body. It can present as follows:
- Comedones:
- Whiteheads (where pores are closed)
- Blackheads (where pores are open and plugged)
- Pimples: Reddish swelling and often mildly painful
- Nodules: Larger, solid, and painful lumps
- Cystic Lesion: Painful and pus-filled lumps under the skin
Treatment of Acne
Although skin hygiene is useful for preventing the development of Acne, sometimes they don’t seem to work for some people and need medicines for treatment. The main aim of treatment of acne involves eliminating the whiteheads and blackheads by decreasing sebaceous gland activities and eliminating Propionibacterium acnes bacteria using antibiotics. For this purpose, you must visit a dermatologist who may prescribe any of the following depending on the severity of the condition:
- For Mild Acne
- Topical agents like Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicyclic acid, or Retinoic acid for preventing the formation of comedones, that is whiteheads and blackheads.
- Topical antibacterial agents like clindamycin, erythromycin, azelaic acid for eliminating Propionibacterium acnes.
- For Moderate to Severe Acne
- Oral antibiotics like Doxycycline, Minocycline, Tetracycline maybe need after from application of topical agents for the comedones
- For Severe Nodulocystic Acne
- In this case, synthetic retinoid isotretinoin can be used, results of which is usually excellent
So, if you are suffering from Acne which is not going away by your homemade remedies, visit your dermatologist to get the right and safe medications for your treatment. Self-medication is not advised in this condition as this condition requires frequent checking by a dermatologist and analyzing whether the medicines are working and altering it if needed.
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