Common Illnesses & Injuries
Acne
Symptoms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples, which usually occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. When the pimples are large and deep they can be painful and cause scars. This is called cystic acne.
Acne usually starts in the early teen years when the body starts producing male hormones called androgens. Androgens can over-stimulate sebaceous (oil) glands, which create an oily substance called sebum. Normal skin sheds dead cells all the time. Normally these cells come to the surface and fall off. In people with acne, these cells shed faster, stick together, mix with sebum, and clog the follicle, causing bacteria to grow. When the body's immune system tries to destroy the bacteria, this causes inflammation and redness.
How it is Caused
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the four basic mechanisms contributing to acne are hormones, increased sebum production, changes inside hair follicles, and bacteria. According to research, acne is not caused by diet, although a lot of people will tell you otherwise.
The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Acne can flare up at different times in your life, including pregnancy, illness, and as a side effect of medication.
How it is Treated
There are some things you can try at home first, which may be very effective. If you or your child have cystic acne, it is wise to see a dermatologist.
Clean your skin gently at least two times a day with a mild soap or a soap or cleanser that is specially made for people with acne. Don’t scrub. This will only irritate your skin, which makes the pimples look red, and increases the chance of infection. If your hair is very oily, keep it off your face and wash it every day.
Benzoyl peroxide lotion and other products are available over the counter (OTC) at pharmacies. You can ask a pharmacist for help picking out one that is best for you. Benzoyl peroxide helps dry up your skin and reduce bacteria.
If your acne is severe, and you’ve tried the things above, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may refer you to a dermatologist.
Below are some of the treatments available. All of them may have serious side effects and are not right for everyone. They should be used only under the direction of a physician. Never use your friends’ medication.
Accutane
Accutane helps the function of the follicles return to normal, lowers production of sebum, slows the growth of a bacterium called P. acnes, and reduces inflammation and the chance for scarring. This drug is unique because it directly treats the causes of acne.
Topical Antibiotics
The term topical means used on the skin, rather than taken by mouth. Antibiotics used topically in treatment of acne are believed to be effective for reasons in addition to anti-bacterial activity. For best results they should be used in combination with other topical agents.
Topical Retinoids
Retinoids are molecules similar to the vitamin A family of molecules. They change the way the skin grows and sheds. The most common side effects of topical retinoids are redness, dryness, peeling and itching of skin in the areas of retinoid application. There is a major risk for birth defects and retinoids should not be used when there is any chance of pregnancy. There are many types, and it is best to consult a dermatologist if they are used.
Oral Antibiotics
The term oral means taken by mouth. These are effective on acne because they reduce bacteria and also have effects on sebaceous glands. Your doctor will decide which type is best for you.
Hormones
The purpose of hormonal therapy is to block or lessen acne-promoting effects of androgenic hormones. Estrogen is a “feminine” hormone that counteracts the effects of androgenic hormones and decreases sebum secretion in the sebaceous follicles Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives are prescribed more frequently than estrogen alone in hormonal therapy of acne in females.
Corticosteroids
Low-dose steroids are helpful in specific instances-for example, to suppress excessive secretion of androgenic hormones. These have lots of side effects, including producing acne in some cases.
