Acne Basics

Acne is a common skin disorder characterized by clogged pores and pimples. Acne can be very isolating and painful. Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Each follicle is connected to sebaceous glands. Acne can cause a person to focus more on their acne than on the things they should be focusing on in life. Acne results in plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Typical acne appears in the oil-producing areas of the body - namely, the face, chest, and back. Some people are more prone than others to having problems with acne. More men are likely to have problems with acne than women. Working with chlorinated solvents can cause acne. It is called chloracne. Acne can also occur on the neck and upper arms. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder. Women are more likely to experience acne irregularly, due to hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle or due to the cosmetics they use. That is why there are more women who struggle with acne in adulthood than men.

Acne is a term to describe pores on the face, neck, chest, upper arms, and back that may be plugged. Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life. Aside from scarring its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and depression. Acne is more common amongst teens going through puberty because of an imbalance of certain hormones such as androgens (male sex hormone). Acne is not a result of uncleanliness or infrequent washing. In other words, acne does not result from too much dirt on the skin or in the pores. The causes of the excess oil are hormonal shifts and bacteria. While varying factors can make acne worse there is no evidence that chocolate, soft drinks or fatty foods are bad for acne. People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions. The basic acne lesion, called the comedo, is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. Treatment of acne begins with keeping the affected areas clean without using harsh abrasive cleaners, which can irritate already sensitive skin.

Causes of Acne

The common causes and risk factor's of Acne include the following:

Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
Anabolic steroids.
Hard scrubbing of the skin.
Bacterial build-up in the sebaceous glands.
Squeezing or picking at blemishes.

Symptoms of Acne

Some sign and symptoms related to Acne are as follows:

Swellings on the skin known as pimples.
Pustules.
Dark spots with open pores at the center are blackheads.
Pus-filled lesions that may be painful.
Inflamed fluid-filled lumps under the skin known as cysts.
Greasy skin.

Treatment of Acne

Here is list of the methods to treat Acne:

Accutane is a prescription medication that is taken orally to treat acne.
Moderate and severe acne is usually treated by topical medicines with the addition of antibiotic pills.
For moderate to severe acne, prescription oral antibiotics may be needed to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation.
Mild acne is treated with one or a combination of creams and solutions.
A topical antibiotic lotion applied to the skin can be used to control the P. acnes bacteria (eg Dalacin T).
Salicylic acid helps stop the shedding of the skin cells lining the oil glands.

Nails Care

Anychia
Clawing of the Nails
Clubbing
Discoloration of the Nail Plate
Ingrowing Toe Nail
Koilonychia
Longitudinal Striations
Loss of Nail Plate
Onycholysis
Paronychia
Pitting of Nail Plates
Pterygium
Thickening of Nail Plate
Transverse Ridges

Disclaimer : All information on www.removeacne.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.