Acne Free Skin

Acne is a common skin problem caused when the excess oil secretion form the sebaceous glands fail to escape through the pores of the skin and accumulate. It is also to be noted that hormonal imbalances and stress related factors may also be considered responsible for resulting in the formation of acne. While in its milder form, acne or pimples are capable of causing inflammations or swellings on the skin, sometimes they can split and spread over greater areas and swell considerably to form acne cysts or nodulocystic acne. Acne cysts are considered to be extremely painful and one of the most severe forms of acne and they occur commonly in males and affect different parts of the body like the back and chest regions apart from the face. There may be various symptoms of acne cysts which may distinguish it from the common acne formations on the skin.

These include ejection of pus and red swellings and inflammations on the skin. Scars are a very notable feature of these acne cysts and they commonly accompany the acne cysts along with reddened swollen nodules. While it has already been pointed out that acne cysts are extremely painful, a very rare version of the acne cyst is referred to as acne conglobata. These are extremely severe and form painful and discomforting boils on the apart from resulting in scars as well. These lesions appear often in the form of a group of ‘macrocomedones’ and form cysts filled with infectious pus. It is natural to state that since acne cysts are severe in nature, it is quite difficult to provide easy remedies as treatment. However, with the advancement of technology, different forms of treatment are available in order to cure oneself from acne cysts.

With the growing popularity of cosmetic surgery it is possible to treat acne cysts easily with the help of laser acne treatments. Isotretinoin is a substance derived from retinoic acid or Vitamin A and it is most effective in treating acne cysts. It is advisable that this retinoid be used as soon as the inflammation is diagnosed as an acne cyst so that the medication is able to prevent the formation of scars. Usually this treatment needs to be continued for about 4 to 5 months for best results. Moreover, it has been researched that isoretinoin is extremely beneficial in acne treatment as it reduces the sebum production form the sebaceous glands and thus prevents inflammation. It is also beneficial in preventing the growth of acne bacteria.

By: Prahalad Singh

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It is a skin condition that causes spots. Affected suffers are usually in the age group of between 12 to 25,though some people in there 30 and 40’s can also be affected.

What are the symptoms.
Typically this condition cause one or more of the following to occur. Blackheads or comedomes, Whiteheads, red or yellow spots, greasy skin and scars. Areas typically affected are, usually the face, back, neck, chest or arms. The severity of this condition can vary. People of all colors can be affected by acne. People of a darker color has the impact of the condition altered by the pigmentation.

The skin.
The surface has many tiny sebaceous glands just under the surface. These sebaceous glands make a oily substance called sedum. Its normal function is to keep the skin smooth and supple. These tiny holes or pores let the oily sedum go to the surface. Hairs also grow through these tiny pores or holes.

So just what causes the acne?
It is caused by the sebaceous glands making to much of the oily substances, that are then secreted on to the surface.

The glands of people with normal levels of blood, seem to especially sensitive to testosterone, a perfectly normal hormone. In people prone to acne, testosterone set off the sebaceous glands to make an excess of the oily substance sedum. Also dead cells lining the hair follicle openings,is not shed correctly,and to a clogging up of the follicles takes place. The two effects act to cause a build up of the oily substance. It is this, that leads to blockheads and whitehead’s to take shape. The acne does not go any further in most people but in others this build up of oil in the hair follicle,is an ideal place for a bacterium called propionibacterium to grow. They are normally harmless but in this ideal environment the quickly grow. Your bodies immune system then reacts, this inflames the skin surface giving rise to a redness which is normally associated with spots and pimples. In a more sever case the ‘inflammatory acne’, cysts can develop below the surface. The cysts can rupture, spreading infection to nearby tissue which may the lead to scarring.

Myths and what can make acne worse.
It is not caused by, eating fatty food, chocolate, dirt and it not contagious so you cannot catch it.
Making it worse. Picking and squeezing, stress, hormonal changes in women or excessive male hormones. Some contraceptive pills, due to the type of progestogen hormone – yet others may actually improve the condition. Please see your doctor about this.

Diagnosing.
Acne is recognized by appearance of spots and the way they are distributed on the body. There are several types,so please refer to your doctor if in doubt.

Treatment.
There are a range of treatments and option to consider to help tackle the problem. Aim is to prevent reoccurrence of spots,reduce those present and prevent scarring.

There are three categories. Home treatment, prescription medicines, topical treatments and oral treatments.

The treatment of acne really deserves another article. MJR

By: Malcolm Ross

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Just as there are different types of acne lesions, there are also different types of acne. Although there are a number of rare forms of acne, most experts divide acne into three main types: comedonal acne, acne vulgaris, and cystic acne.

The first type, comedonal acne, consists of whiteheads and black-heads alone, without the presence of other acne lesions. Therefore, comedonal acne is the mildest form of acne. However, since closed comedones often burst and become inflamed, it is not uncommon for people with comedonal acne eventually to develop papules and pustules.

When people have a mix of comedones, papules, and pustules, they have acne vulgaris, or common acne. A man who suffered from acne vulgaris recalls: “I had them all. I had blackheads on my nose. I had whiteheads on my forehead. I had bumpy red pimples and big pus pimples on my chin, neck, back, and shoulders.”10

Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, affecting approximately 90 percent of all people with acne. Acne vulgaris can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of acne lesions a person has and how severely the lesions are inflamed.

The third type of acne, cystic acne, is the most severe form of acne. The presence of comedones, papules, pustules, and numerous acne cysts characterize cystic acne. Because cysts are caused by severe inflammation and infection, cystic acne can be quite painful.

Making matters worse, if cystic acne is left untreated, the severe inflammation and infection that cause cystic acne can damage surrounding tissues. This frequently leaves the skin of people with cystic acne permanently scarred. A patient explains: “You can see the scars where I had cysts today. They look like little craters. You can see them on my neck and on my back. I’ve got a little bit of evidence on my face too. Wherever you see a crater, that’s where I had a cyst.”

By: Yun Ye

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Acne can be easily divided in to three main types. All these three types of acne are further classified and this classification is usually based on the severity of the condition.

The severity is further based on the number of lesions that are present on the body in conjunction with the presence of persistence, psychological impact as well as scaring.

- Types of acne

a) Comedonal

This type of acne can be considered as the initial phase of acts. It usually triggers of with the onset of puberty. It starts its onset on the nose and can progress further to involve the checks, forehead and chin.

Conedonal acne consists of white heads and black heads. There are no traces of pimples. This type of acne may exist separately or even with many other types of acne.

b) Papulopustular

This is the most common type. It is also considered to be the main type. It appears on the skin in the form of reddish pimples and can easily range from mild to severe. The acne most commonly involves upper arms, neck, back and chest of the body.

c) Nodulocystic

Nodulocystic acne is considered to be the most severe type. It is more severe than the Papulopustular acne and also involves the presence of large deep lesions, also known as nodules. It may also result in the formation of acne cysts. It can also affect the chest, face and back. This type is most common among the male.

d) Other types

Acne has many forms. These are seen as a small red dot to big pus filled cysts. However, all these types are related to each other. This means that they are developed from one another. They may also be completely independent in their origin.

e) Nodules

These are severe forms of acne also known as cyst as they are pus filled appear in sac-like formation. These are also considered to be the worst type of infection that tends to spread under the skin towards the adjoining tissue around the primary infection site. These are filled with pus and usually run deep inside the skin. Nodules can be very painful and scarring.

f) Cystic

This type is very common and caused by squeezing, picking or pinching small acne filled with pus. These activities makes the pus inside the cyst to burst deep inside the tissue of the skin and results in to a body mechanism that sends white blood cells to the affected area and these cells work towards fighting off bacteria. Cystic acne also results in a lot of swelling and deep rooted inflammation that ultimately results in pain.

g) Acne Vulgaris

This consists of black as well as white heads. This is easy to treat and can be taken care of via applying 2.5 per cent Benzoyl peroxide topically to the infected area.

By: Bertil Hjert

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A cyst is a severe form of acne that is filled with bacteria, white blood cells and dead skin. Cysts can be very painful and extend inside the skin damaging the skin tissue. In nodulocystic acne, cysts and nodules form together. Some experts say that cysts are severely infected nodules and should be called as such. Treatment of cysts is a challenging task. Because cysts invariably form scars, they need to be treated as soon as possible and before they damage more skin cells.

Acne Treatment – stages of acne

Acne begins with plugged skin pores and develops in stages. In the first stage, acne usually begins in the form of whiteheads and blackheads (caused by plugged pores of the skin). Blackheads are called open comedones. Whiteheads are called closed comedones. The blackheads and whiteheads are the first stage of acne. The second stage is pimples or zits. They are medically known as papules and pustules. Pimples form when the acne gets inflamed. Some people suffer from third stage of serious acne, called as nodules and cysts. These are very large and deep lumps of acne. Skin develops scars if acne progresses to second and third stages.

Acne Treatment Regimen For Cysts-

In severe form of acne, you develop nodules and cysts that are all inflamed. Treating this acne takes more time and patience. Your doctor will treat you with combination therapy to control and cure the acne while trying to take care that minimum scars form. The treatment regimen for severe acne may include physical as well as oral and topical treatments. The options may include- isotretinoin, oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives for female patients, injecting corticosteroid in the lesions and surgical procedure.

Acne Treatment – Isotretinoin:

Isotretinoin is one of the most potent treatments for severe form of acne which has not responded well to other therapies. Isotretinoin is a retinoid which is a form of vitamin A. Isotretinoin helps treat all the four reasons of acne formation-

a. Excess oil,

b. Clogged pores,

c. Inflammation, and

d. The bacteria p.acnes.

The normal course of isotretinoin is one or two pills a day for up to twenty weeks. Your dermatologist will decide the dose. Don’t take Isotretinoin without medical supervision.

Side Effects Of Isotretinoin:

For women, it is very important to be in constant contact with their doctor because isotretinoin can cause damage to development of fetus. It cannot be given during pregnancy and before the treatment begins, all possibilities of pregnancy have to be eliminated. Talk to your doctor in detail about this and follow his/her instructions very strictly. The other side effects of isotretinoin may include joint pains, headaches, nausea, depression and others. You must not miss your appointment with your doctor while taking isotretinoin.

Acne Treatment -Oral Antibiotics-

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can reduce the bacteria P.acnes substantially. With reduction in the population of this bacterium, inflammation reduces. The antibiotic may include drugs such as – tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline, etc.

Acne Treatment -oral contraceptives for women-

Overactive sebaceous glands produce more sebum and are one of the main causes of acne. Some oral contraceptives can reduce the production of excessive sebum. These drugs should be taken only under medical supervision. Sometimes, you may have to consult the gynecologist, for which your doctor will advise you.

Acne Treatment -injecting corticosteroid

In this treatment, a mild steroid is injected in the cyst. The steroid reduces the acne substantially within a few days. This treatment also prevents scarring as it reduces the possibility of bursting of a cyst and dries it totally. Your doctor may find it necessary to cut open the acne and drain it. This procedure needs skill and patients should not try this themselves.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

By: CD Mohatta

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