Monday, January 26, 2009

Uncomfortable Acne and Its Probable Causes

By David Lam

Whenever you are on your teen years, there is pretty good probability that you might get some acne. Nearly 8 out of 10 teenagers have acne along with many adults. It is a general 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 that shows up as different types of bumps including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. You are always thinking how those pimples have grown onto your face or how you got those zits on your back. The simplest scientific explanation which 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 however the exact cause is unknown. One important reason is the increasing hormones called androgen which is male sex hormones. The increasing in hormones androgen during puberty triggers the enlargement of sebaceous glands thus making more sebum. This hormonal change related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can trigger acne.

Hereditary or genetics is another factor that may be related to acne. Others believe that the tendency to develop acne is inherited from their parents. Certain drugs such as lithium and androgens are known to cause acne. Likewise greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together thus producing a plug.

Moreover there are many myths about the reasons of acne outbreaks. People always 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 lead to the skin disorder however blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt.

Obviously there are several factors 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 begins affect the worsening of the acne. Squeezing or picking at blemishes, environmental irritants and hard scrubbing of the skin are other factors that could worsen acne conditions.

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

The drug treatment is to reduce several troubles playing a part in causing acne like abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, inflammation, increased bacteria and oil production. The doctor may recommend one of several over-the-counter acne treatments 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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