::... DERMATOLOGY - Acne

Acne means pimples. These are common in boys and girls at the age 14 years onward Pimples appear due to hormonal change at the adolescent stage. Pimples usually appear on face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is usually not a serious health problem but leads to emotional distress in adolescents as the facial look is affected. Severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.

People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. An estimated 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.

Our skin has sweat glands also known as Sebaceous glands which produce Sebum. Sebum is an oily substance which provides shine to the skin. However hormonal changes during adolescence give rise to excess secretion of sebum. This invites bacterial infection in sebaceous glands, especially on face that leads to eruption on skin which is known as acne or pimple.

Acne/Pimples are seen as –
Comedone : Primary stage of pimple seen as a black/white heads. Papules : Appear as small, pink eruptions on the skin and can be tender to the touch
Pustules : White or yellow pus-filled eruptions that may be red at the base
Nodules : Large, painful, solid pimples that are lodged deep within the skin
Cysts : Deep, painful, pus-filled pimples that can cause scarring.

Excessive use of cosmetics
Unhealthy eating habits
Environmental Pollution and high humidity
Oily skin
Squeezing or pecking pimples
Exam Stress or any other stress
Hard scrubbing of the skin

It is advisable to approach a doctor for treatment of acne and not to use products advertised by various media. Your doctor will tell you how to apply the medicine and how often to use it. A doctor/ usually a skin specialist will advise a product i.e. a cream/gel/lotion containing drugs like Clindamycin, Adapalene, Benzoyl Peroxide, Tretinoin or tablets of antibiotic like doxycycline depending upon the condition of acne.

Gently wash the face two to three times a day with lukewarm water. Avoid rubbing and touching pimples. Squeezing, pinching or pecking can lead to the development of scars . In case of men, shave gently and only when necessary to reduce the risk of nicking blemishes. Avoid use of cosmetics.