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Acne - Acne symptom, treatment, causes

Etymology: From Greek: acme=eruption on the face

Synonym/Colloquial: Pimples

Acne is mainly the pustular rash, generally on the face, common in adolescence. Rash covers forehead and cheeks, forming small boils with heads of pus.

Acne is a disease affecting the sebaceous gland. These glands are especially large upon the nose where their openings from pits that are clearly visible. There appears to be an individual predisposition to the disease and is dependent on the development of the sebaceous glands which takes place at puberty.

The Skin, covering the entire body, is a marvellous and intricate mechanism. It serves three main purposes ; namely, protection of the inner organism, regulation of body temperature and elimination of cell waste and systemic refuse. The Skin is directly connected with and intimately bound up with the working of the whole system. All Skin diseases, including acne, are the outcome of malfunctioning of the body as a whole.

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands and hair follicles. Blemishes occur wherever there are many oil (sebaceous) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent.  The disease is not restricted to any age group adults in their 20s - even into their 40s can get acne.  Acne is a skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps. They include whiteheads, blackheads, red bumps (pimples), and bumps that are filled with pus (cysts). Acne develops when the hair follicle of skin gets plugged by overproduction of sebum, dead cells and become infected by bacteria. Sometimes the walls of the pore are broken, allowing sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to get under the skin.

Acne is rarely a serious medical condition, but it often causes emotional distress and can lead to scarring of the skin. With the right treatment, you can often keep acne under control. This causes a small, red infection called a pimple. Measures also can be taken to reduce scars left by acne. There are various causes of acne including hormones, anxiety and stress. Women tend to be more prone to acne than men.The glands make the right amount of sebum, and the pores are fine.When a follicle breaks along the bottom, total collapse can occur, causing a large, inflamed bump that can be sore to the touch. During ovulation, menstruation, and childbirth, the ratio of male to female hormones change, stimulating the oil-producing glands that cause breakouts.

Symptoms of Acne

The common symptoms of Acne:

• Cysts.
• Pimples.
• If you're a teenager then to be honest nothing is likely to totally cure your acne other than time.
• Clogged glands or pores.

Treatment of Acne

• Resorcinol can help break down blackheads and whiteheads.
• Use a gentle astringent to wipe away oil.
• The most popular ingredient in over-the-counter antibacterial cleansers is benzoyl peroxide.
• You use hair sprays or gels, try to keep them away from your face because they can clog pores.
• Women may also use female hormones or medications that decrease the effects of male hormones to help their acne.
• Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large red bumps. This may help them go away quickly.
• For moderate to severe acne, prescription oral antibiotics may be needed to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation.

Acne occurs in both sexes particularly between the ages of fourteen and twenty. The condition is often associated with dyspepsia, and lack of fresh air and exercise. In women it tends to worse during mensuration.

Cause of Acne

. Small cysts (comedones) form at the base of hair follicles, as pores are clogged by thick sebum. These cysts get inflamed and infected, forming acne.
. Acne is common during adolescence as the hormonal change activates sebum formation.

Other causes of the disorder are excessive use of tea, coffee, alcohol or tobacco, strenuous studies, masturbation and sedentary habits which lead to indigestion and general debility.The exact cause of acne is still not fully understood.

• Blockage of Follicles
• Genetic Factors
• Bacteria
• Stress
• Oily Skin
• Androgen

Course and Complications of Acne

. Acne generally resolves on its own, though it causes great anguish and anxiety to teenagers.
. Severe cases may have secondary infection with the formation of deep cysts, visible outside as large boils or lumps. These are better treated by your doctor.

Course of action of Acne

. There are hundreds of acne creams on the market.
. Severe cases (nodules and cysts and large boils) must be treated by your doctor who may recommend antibiotics, local creams, and hormones, depending on the severity.
. 'Beauty hints' that promise relief on cutting out fried foods and drinking large quantities of water are largely useless.
. AVOID - Vigorous 'facials' and exfoliation in the presence of red, painful or pus-filled rash.

Caution of Acne

. Restrict proprietary creams to mild acne.
. Creams like isotretinoin must be used only on prescription.

Available treatments for acne today include medicated cleansers, exfoliants, benzoyl peroxide, Retin A, topical antibiotics, physical treatments, oral antibiotics, intralesional corticosteroids, hormonal therapy, systemic corticosteroids, accutane, and natural treatment formulas.

For oily Skins and oily-Skin conditions like acne, cleansing of the Skin is of great importance in curing and treating acne. Excessive washing with soap and water destroys the natural protective acid mantle of the Skin and predisposes bacterial attack.

The treatement of acne depends on how far it has progressed. If the infection is severe, the emphasis will be given on the control of infection, by means of an anti-acne lotion. A course of clinical treatment would be required to reduce surface oil. It would also help to create a germicidal environment and cure the existing eruptions.

Acne myths

• Stress causes acne. The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne.
• Acne is related to diet.In other words, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza.
• Washing your face more often will help clear up acne.Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt
• The sun will help get rid of acne. The sun is a short-term band-aid which will often bite back with more acne in the weeks following exposure.

Home remedies and treatment for curing Acne:

1. Make a face pack of bran plus baking soda and water. Mix into a paste, apply to the face, leaving on for 15 minutes. Rinse with solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 8 parts water.

2.Two vitamins, namely, niacin and vitamin A have been used successfully to treat acne. The vitamin therapy which may comprise a niacin, 100 mg. three times daily and vitamin A in large doses upto 1,50,000 units per day should not exceed one month. Vitamin E is also vitally important to prevent scarring from acne and in removing old scars.

3.A teaspoonful of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is another effective home remedy for pimples and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after
thoroughly washing it, every night before retiring.

4.The juice of raw potatoes has also proved very valuable in clearing skin blemishes. This cleansing results from high content of potassium sulphur, phosphorous and chlorine in the potato. These elements are, however, of value only when the potato is raw as in this state they are composed of live organic atoms.

2. Get some rosewater in bowl. Add equal amount of cucumber paste on it. Stir it properly and have a pack of it for 20 minutes. It will also help in controlling acne and pimples.

3. Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash the face with fresh water. About 15 days application helps cure pimples and reduces blemishes and scars.