Facts About Acne

Acne also called pimple or zit; is a common skin disorder that predominantly affects teenagers and young adults; but can occur at any age. Acne usually appears on the face, shoulders or upper back, neck or chest. Acne is not a contagious condition. It can be embarrassing depending on its severity and it can also cause scars. According to the Acne-Resource website, the American Dermatologist Association finds that there are 60 million Americans who have active acne.

Types
The commonest types of acne include white heads, located under the skin surface and blackheads that look black and are on the surface of the skin. Both of these are non-inflammatory types of acne. Papules are small, tender pink bumps while pustules as the name implies, have pus on top and appear red on the bottom. Nodules lie deep in the skin and are large, solid and painful. A cyst is a large, severely inflamed lesion filled with pus. Papules, pustules and nodules and cysts are all inflammatory types of acne.

Causes
The three factors that contribute to the causes of acne according to, the MayoClinic.com are: The over production of sebum or oil from the hair follicle of the sebaceous glands in the skin. The irregular shedding of dead skin cells which irritates the hair follicles and the third factor is the build up of bacteria. Acne formation may also be related to genetics, hormonal changes such as pregnancy or the increase of androgens or sex hormones common that occurs in girls and boys during puberty.

Treatments
The goals in acne treatment are to reduce oil production, speed up skin cell turn over, prevent bacterial infection and reduce inflammation, according to MayoClinic.com. Treatment of acne depends on how severe the outbreak is. Mild cases may be treated with over the counter topical products including gels, soaps, creams and pads, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur and resorcinol. Jane Liedtka, a medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, recommends speaking with your health care provider about side effects and what to expect from the treatment before using any of these products. Topical or oral prescription antibiotics medications may be needed for inflamed, moderate to severe acne outbreaks. Individuals with cysts or nodules should seek the care and advice of a dermatologist.

Considerations
Factors that will worsen acne conditions, according to the National Institutes of Health includes stress, squeezing, scratching and picking at blemishes and pimples, pollution and high humidity. In addition pressure from tight collars and backpacks as well as hormonal changes.

http://www.acne-resource.org/understanding-acne/acne-statistics.html

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm174521.htm

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Acne/acne_ff.asp

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acne/ds00169/dsection=causes