Acne
Basic Information
Acne is the name for pimples -- one of the most common problems that plague adolescents. In fact it is the most common skin disorder in the United States -- seen most often in those between 16 and 18 years of age. Fortunately it is only a skin disorder and does not affect one's physical health in general. But it can cause embarrassment in social situations and can result in a lowering of confidence.
During teenage years the sebaceous glands (or skin oil glands) are at their most active and produce more oil. In acne sufferers the oil gets blocked at the openings of the pores and creates a whitehead. If the whitehead is opened up and exposed to the air it becomes what is called a blackhead. Acne develops when the trapped oil leaks onto the surrounding skin causing pimples and cysts to develop, mainly on the face -- but acne can also develop on the chest, back, neck, arms and shoulders.
It is estimated that there are 18,000,000 individuals affected by acne in the U.S., mostly teenaged boys because they have more oily skin though girls are affected too. Heredity seems to play a role. But the myth that certain foods cause acne seems to be just that -- a myth. But if you feel a certain food worsens your acne, do not continue eating it. It may make it worse. Foods that have been reported to worsen acne (though it varies from individual to individual) include:
- chocolate
- nuts
- milk (more than one quart per day)
- cola
To find out if a certain food aggravates your acne, stop eating it for a month and see if there is an improvement. Then see by eating a large amount of the food you suspect worsens your case. If your skin problem indeed worsens, try this again to rule out coincidence and then stay away from the food if you feel it worsens your condition.
Dirt does not cause acne either and it is best to use simple soap and water to clean your face and only as often as needed to keep it clean.
You can't stop acne from occurring since your oil glands cannot be changed. And there is little you can do to shorten the length of time you will have it. Acne seems to get better or worse on its own. Stress may be a factor in the worsening of acne as it tends to worsen before typical teenage events such as proms or exams.
Acne is not considered an infection -- you can't catch it or give it.
Symptoms
As mentioned above, teenagers are most at risk to develop the skin disease acne, the unsightly pimples or rashes made of little bumps with whitish or black heads. But older adults can develop acne too and it is thought that women's acne worsens around the time of their menstrual period.
Diagnosis/Treatment
Your health care provider will be able to diagnose your case of acne in an office setting -- its appearance is fairly distinctive. Your health care provider will be able to differentiate between acne and rosacea (acne rosacea) or certain forms of dermatitis.
Treatment is varied but usually takes some time to have an effect -- anywhere from 8 weeks to months and in some cases years. There is no cure for this skin disease -- it can only be controlled.
Antibiotics, either taken orally or applied to the skin, are generally thought to be the most effective medicine for controlling acne. But they work only during the period of use or up to several weeks afterward. And they don't remove blackheads or whiteheads -- for a peeling agent, blackhead removal Retin-A (tretinoin) can be applied to the skin. So does benzoyl peroxide but it should not be used in tandem with Retin-A. Both Retin-A and benzoyl peroxide can be skin irritants. Stop use if the skin becomes sore and if acne worsens with use please contact your health care provider.
In moderate to severe cases antibiotics taken by mouth are usually indicated, but in milder cases the topical antibiotics and peeling agents are usually recommended.
Your health care provider will evaluate what treatment is most appropriate for you.
It is thought that natural sunlight or sunshine has a beneficial effect on acne, but because of skin cancer and skin aging a limited time in the sun, avoiding sunburn, is suggested. In some cases heavy exposure to sunlight may actually worsen the condition.
A certain peeling agent, isotretinonin, must not be used by pregnant women or women who might become pregnant as it has been known to cause birth defects.
Also use of antibiotics should be monitored by your health care provider for side effects such as yeast infection in women or allergic reactions, nausea and diarrhea.
You can use cosmetics to cover up the unsightly blackheads but use makeup that is oil free. Avoid using chin straps or shoulder straps or pads that rub the skin where your acne is.
Do not pick or squeeze the pimples. This could lead to scarring or an infection. If you have an important engagement and do not want a flare-up of acne, your health care provider can inject intralesional repository corticosteroid which can subjugate the flare-up in a matter of days.
Vitamins, including Vitamin A, have not been found to be of use in acne therapy.
Acne surgery is an office procedure in which acne lesions may be incised with a needle or small pointed blade. The procedure should be performed by an experienced dermatologist so that the risk of scarring is lessened.
Also blackheads can be removed in an office procedure. But you should understand any risk of scarring or inflammatory lesions by having a frank discussion with your health care provider before making any decisions.
If you are troubled by acne, please see your health care provider. While there is no cure, there is help for this skin disorder.
Additional Resource(s):
- American Academy of Dermatology 847 - 330 - 0230
- Face Facts