Monday, January 26, 2009

Uncomfortable Acne and Its Probable Causes

By David Lam

If you are on your teen years, there is pretty good chances that you might get some acne. About 8 out of 10 teenagers have acne along with many adults. It is a common skin problem that is considered to be a normal part of puberty.

Apparently, it does make teen or any individual uncomfortable. It doesn't make it easier when you look in the mirror and see the big pimple on your face or chin. However there is good news such as simple steps which will help you feel better about your face.

Acne is a skin condition which shows up as different types of bumps including whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. You are always wondering how you got those zits on your back or how those pimples have grown onto your face. The easiest scientific explanation that you could know is that your skin is covered with tiny holes known as hair follicles or pores.

These pores include sebaceous glands also known as oil glands that make sebum and oil that moisten your skin and hair. Glands make the correct amount of sebum and the pores are fine at most of the time. But sometimes a pore gets clogged up with too much sebum, dead skin cells and germs called bacteria thus leading you to have acne.

Doctors believe that acne results from several related factors but the true reason is unknown. One important factor is the increasing hormones called androgen that is male sex hormones. The rising in hormones androgen during puberty causes the enlargement of sebaceous glands thus making more sebum. This hormonal change related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can lead to acne breakouts.

Genetics or hereditary is another factor that may be related to acne. Others believe that the tendency to produce acne is inherited from their parents. Certain drugs like lithium and androgens are known to cause acne. Likewise greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together thus developing a plug.

Moreover there are many myths about the causes of acne. People often blame chocolates and greasy foods however foods seem to have little effect on the development and cause of acne in most people. Dirty skin is as well believed to cause the skin disorder however blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt.

Obviously there are several reasons that can make the acne worse. The changing hormone levels in the adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts affect the worsening of the acne. Environmental irritants, squeezing or picking at blemishes and hard scrubbing of the skin are other factors that could worsen acne conditions.

Beside from the dermatologist who specializes on skin problems, there are doctors who treat all kinds of acne particularly those of severe cases. Family practitioners, pediatricians or internists may treat individuals with milder acne cases. It is always the goal of the acne treatment to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions formation, prevent scarring as well as minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment which caused by the disease.

The drug treatment is to dimish several problems playing a part in causing acne like abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, oil production, increased bacteria and inflammation. The doctor may suggest one of several over-the-counter acne medicines or prescription medicines either topical which applied to the skin or oral medication depending on the extent of the person's acne.

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