Acne
[00:00:00] Acne or acne vulgaris. A common skin condition affects most people
in varying degrees. It is primarily due to congestion of skin, pores and occurs
commonly on the face and neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms can also
be affected. Most common among adolescents. Acne is also seen in adults in
their twenties and thirties or even beyond.
For a large majority, acne disappears over time. However, in few cases, the
condition persists. Women are more susceptible to acne than men. Causes of
acne include various factors. The primary [00:01:00] cause is the activation of
the SIUs clans during puberty due to testosterone, an adrenal hormone in both
adolescent males and females.
Sacious glands are found in the skin connected with hair follicles. These glands
secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum, secreted by specialized cells,
insub suspicious gland. Is brought to the surface of the skin, along the hair shaft,
and is required for protection and lubrication of the skin.
Acne occurs when excess sebum is produced. The sebum, along with dead skin
cells accumulates resulting in clogging of skin, pores or follicles. This
accumulation and clogging can stimulate bacterial growth. The residential
bacterial. That is normally non pathogenic can cause inflammation leading to
inflamed [00:02:00] lesions.
The surrounding tissues also become inflamed due to infection.
Factors that influence acne production are heredity tendency to develop severe
acne can be hereditary diet. Certain foods can aggravate ac. The foods such as
milk seafood can ex abate an existing condition and should therefore be
avoided. Vitamin A and E levels are also low in patients suffering from acne.
Stress resulting in hormonal imbalance can cause acne, hormonal activity. Few
women develop acne depending on their menstrual. puberty is known to trigger
off acne cosmetics. Poor clogging action of certain cosmetics [00:03:00] can
aggravate acne. Other factors include pressure due to helmets, straps, et cetera.
Certain drugs such as steroids, iodides, bromides, et cetera, are known to
aggravate the. Acne caused prior to the onset of menarchy is called prepubertal
Acne. Acne is of inflammatory and non-inflammatory types. Severe form of
acne with the formation of HUS is cystic acne. Cystic acne is common among
males.
Commodes and pimples are common. Teenage ac. Non-inflammatory type is
caused by clogged pores without much inflammation. This category includes
whitehead and blackheads, commonly called commodes. [00:04:00]
Whiteheads, or closed commodes are due to clogging of skin pores by sebum
and trapped stead skin cells that are not exposed to air.
They are slightly raised and appear. Blackhead or open commandants are
caused when the openings become wider, sebum and trapped. Dead skin cells
are exposed to air, leading to oxidation of melanin, resulting in black coloration,
inflammatory type. The lesions are highly inflamed with redness and. Puls,
these inflamed lesions occur when the follicular wall breaks and is invaded by
white blood cells.
WBCs. They appear red and tender and involve the deep tissues of the skin.
Postes is similar to pul, but superficial in nature. [00:05:00] A poste forms after
several days when the WBCs reached the skin's surface. This is referred to as a
zit or pimple. Posts are tender and red with the presence of white pus nodules.
These inflammatory lesions involve the deep layers of the skin. These are hard,
red, large, painful lumps, forms below the skin surface cysts similar to nodules.
These lumps are painful with increased infection and plus accumulation.
Nodules and cysts are known to leaf behind scars. Acne is not a severe
condition.
However, the appearance of commodes, uh, blackheads and whiteheads,
especially in large numbers on the face, neck, and other parts of the body that
have a high concentration of oil glands require medical attention. [00:06:00]
Infected conditions such as papules, postes, nodules, and cysts, if left untreated,
may leave scars.
Severity of acne is graded by the leads acne grading technique that categorizes
lesions as inflammatory and non-inflammatory, ranging from zero to. 10 being
most severe cook's. Acne grading scale has arranged from zero to eight, eight
being most severe. The pilsbury scale classifies acne from one to four, four
being severe.
Effective forms of acne treatment have been developed in the recent years.
Evaluation for the cause of acne is necessary to initiate treatment. Mild
[00:07:00] acne is usually treated by topical creams. Moderate and severe acne
are treated with oral antibiotics. In addition to topical applications, topical
applications, antibacterial cleansers available over the counter contain benzo
peroxide as the active ingredient.
Topical creams also in the form of gels and lotions are useful in curbing
bacterial growth. The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. Sulfur or resorcinol
retinoids are effective and useful in unclogging pores. These include adapalene
and taro. Topical antibiotics include erythromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline, et
cetera.
[00:08:00] Oral antibiotics are used in severe cases. Doxycycline, tetracycline,
and minocycline are common antibiotics. The other antibiotics used a cephyl,
amoxicillin and sulfur. Cortisone injections, large papules and cysts are injected
with a cortisone to make them flat. Isotretinoin and oral retinoid is very
effective and helps prevent scarring.
This drug causes a range of side effects from mild, such as dryness of the lips
and muscle aches to a more severe form, such as depress. Regular follow up and
monitoring is required hormone therapy, use of female hormones or
medications to decrease the production of testosterone. Oral [00:09:00]
contraceptives, or birth control pills are known to significantly reduce acne,
acne surgery, manual removal of blackheads and whiteheads with the aid of a
round loop extract.
Microdermabrasion used to remove the dead layer of skin. This enhances
generation of new skin and improves skin irregularities. Microdermabrasion in
conjunction with acne surgery is an effective option for acne treatment.
Chemical peels. Comprising of salicylic acid or glycolic acid is effective in
unclogging, both blackheads as well as whiteheads and enhances generation of
new skin.
Photodynamic therapy, light of specific wavelength. Blue light is used for acne
treatment. [00:10:00] Acne may leave scars or blemish. Correction of acne
scarring should be done two to three months after acne activity has ceased, laser
resurfacing or laser treatments, outermost layer of the skin in the affected area is
removed by the age of lasers.
The follicle sac, the suspicious gland, and the bacteria that colonizes the sac are
burned off by lasers. Excision and or grafting deep scars that remain in spite of
microderm. Abrasion are removed surgically by an instrument called punch. A
micro skin graft is made in the scar. Often excision or grafting is followed by
chemical appeal or laser resurfacing collagen implant.
Collagen is a protein that is injected under the lesion. [00:11:00] This elevates
the scars that are soft with smooth edges to the normal skin Contour. Basic
skincare can prevent new outbreaks of acne and improve acne clearance, wash
acne prone areas at least twice a day. This removes excess oil and dead cells,
however, Excessive washing can cause dryness and eventually skin irritation.
Gentle cleansers that are oil-free and water-based are recommended. Topical
applications containing benzo peroxide or salicylic acid can be used. Use of
cosmetics should be limited. The skin should be devoid of makeup before going
to. Irritants, such as oily and greasy cosmetics are to be avoided. [00:12:00]
Hair care.
Hair should be kept clean, sweats and dirt can aggravate or contribute to acne.
Regular showering can remove the trapped dirt and sweat, never touch or
squeeze acne as it may become infected leading to scar.
While acne is not a life-threatening condition, it affects the person's self-esteem.
Though acne is not completely curable, the condition can be prevented. The
treatment requires patients and perseverance and may take a few months before
the effects become evident.
