Acne is a skin disorder that normally appears during adolescence and can continue into adulthood. Breakouts usually occur on the face, back, neck, chest and arms. While not life threatening, acne can cause painful, red sores that are unsightly and embarrassing. Serious forms of acne can cause scarring and alter the skin's tone. Acne cannot be entirely prevented, but its effects can be minimized and treated.
Identification
Acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous units, which are glands that contain a fine hair follicle. The glands produce an oil called sebum that normally empties through the hair follicle, or pore, onto the skin. Acne occurs when the pore is blocked, creating the conditions for a particular type of bacteria found on the skin, Propionibacterium acnes, to grow in the gland. The body responds by sending white blood cells to the follicle to fight the bacteria, creating the inflammation, pain and redness associated with acne lesions, or pimples.
Types
WomensHealth.gov notes that there are four types of acne lesions: the comedo, pimple, nodule and cyst. The comedo occurs as either as a white bump beneath the skin or as a blackhead. Pimples are similar to white comedos but contain white or yellow pus and are reddish where the pimple meets the skin. Nodules form deeper beneath the skin than pimples or comedos, are painful and feel solid when touched. The most serious form of acne lesions are cysts, which are deep, filled with pus and painful to the touch. Both the nodule and the cyst can cause scarring and skin discoloration.
Causes
A hormone called androgen is one of the primary causes of acne, according to the Better Health Channel. Androgen increases the production of sebum in the pilosebaceous units, and the body increases production of androgen during puberty, which is why teenagers seem to have more acne outbreaks than adults.
Other causes of acne include stress, which triggers the brain to release more hormones into the body, including androgen. Menstruation is also a trigger for acne in some women, due to the related hormonal changes. Some people believe that greasy foods or chocolate can cause acne outbreaks, but there is little evidence to support those beliefs.
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to help minimize acne outbreaks. If you notice acne after eating a particular food, you might be sensitive to that food and can avoid it. GirlsHealth.gov recommends avoiding oil-based makeups and other skin products to reduce acne outbreaks. It also advises leaving your pimples and blackheads alone, rather than picking at them, as picking can spread bacteria across your skin and make the problem worse. Be gentle when washing and drying your skin; excessive rubbing can stimulate oil production, causing further blockage of your pores.
Treatments
For mild acne disorders, use over-the-counter gels, soaps or lotions containing resorcinol, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. For more severe outbreaks, a dermatologist can prescribe a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as dapsone, antibiotics, retinoids and stronger formulations of benzoyl peroxide.
