What Is Acne?

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in young adults and teenagers and while the most common sufferers of acne are indeed teens there is also adult acne and baby acne.

Baby acne is caused by hormonal fluxes that occur during and just after birth, and typically clears up before the baby reaches one month of age. So exactly what is acne? This article will I hope shed some light on the subject.

85% of people in the age bracket of 12 to 24 are likely to suffer from forms of acne. In addition many others may experience intermittent and serious forms into their thirties. However, this skin disease is neither blood related or contagious. It is a universal skin disease which can be seen in all genders, ages and races.

It is an inflammatory disease of the skin that is caused when hair follicles become clogged by dead skin cells and sebum, which is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the follicle. Common treatments of acne involve killing the acne causing bacteria, removing the dead skin cells blocking the follicles, or reducing the amount of sebum present on and below the surface of the skin.

Acne is not generally harmful, though it can be a source of embarrassment, particularly since it is prevalent in adolescence when physical appearance and social standing are typically very important. Especially severe cases of acne may require treatment from a dermatologist or by the staff of one of the many acne skin care centres.

While acne is most prevalent in teenagers and young adults, it is even possible for newborn babies to be afflicted. Baby acne occurs in newborns in response to the hormonal changes that occur directly after birth. This type of acne almost always clears up in a few weeks and does not require any treatment.

In addition to medical treatment, there are a number of home acne cures that, while not proven to be effective, are still quite popular. Common home remedies include the application of various herbs and other household substances. Common home remedies also involve avoiding food such as chocolate. While no evidence supports the use of these remedies, some people swear by them.

This skin disorder is the resultant of over-induced sebaceous glands (or the skins oil glands) and blocked pilosebaceous units imbedded deep beneath the skin and blocked skin pores. Primarily, acne develops from blocked pilosebaceous canals.

If these canals are obstructed by hardened sebum and dead cells, the combination of which may accumulate and block the ejection of dirt and body wastes; thus providing breeding grounds for Propionibacterium acnes or the P. acnes in the follicle walls or hair pores. These acne-infecting bacteria will attract white blood cells. The area then gets inflamed due to the reaction of the body to the activities eventually leading to the growth of acne.

This skin disorder comes in many forms. Whiteheads and blackheads or closed and open clogs respectively. Mild inflammatory acne which includes papules and pustules.Cystic acnes or nodules.

Acne is a disease that cannot be fully cured. However, there had been developed treatments to decrease the skins sensitivity to acne infection. These may composed by the following methods of treatments:

Homeophatic treatments or those that can be prepared at home like soap and water or benzoyl peroxide and alcohol.Topical treatments or those that are applied on the external layers of the skin. Oral drugs or drugs that can be taken systematically, these are usually composed of antibiotics.

Disclaimer: All content within this articles is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own doctor if you're in any way concerned about your health.

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