Dealing with Acne

Acne is a problem present worldwide, causing not much sickness but anxiety. It is also a source of big business for beauticians and manufacturers and sellers of cosmetics. The term acne is used to describe the black or red eruptions or pustules that develop predominantly over the face. Though they are of benign nature, their presence causes much anxiety to the sufferer. As such acne occurs at any age but mainly they occur in teenage. It is considered as one of the, “teen”, problems. Acne occurs due to changes in the pilo sebaceous unit, i.e. unit of the skin structure containing a hair follicle and sebaceous glands. They occur mostly in areas having greater density of sebaceous glands, i.e. over the face, chest and upper back. There is blockage of the sebaceous glands due to production of more sebum blocking the pores. This can be due to the masculinizing hormone androgen, levels of which tend to increase during puberty. Acne tends to be hereditary and runs in families. A teenage boy having acne would be having a sibling or cousin with the same problem and one or more elders would have had it at that age. Acne also tends to be aggravated by hormonal changes as occuring during menstruation and pregnancy. Drugs like anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, also induce acne as a side effect. Though debatable, some studies claim that mental stress can also aggravate acne. Bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcal epidermidis have been implicated in causing acne. The acne manifest as red colored small pustular lesions with a black head (called as black heads) or with a white or red top. At times there is inflammation of the surrounding skin. On puncture of acne, some pus and inflammatory debris is excluded. There may be mild itching and or pain over the acne. Sometimes people experience some discomfort over the face while moving out in the sun. If somebody scratches it with a finger nail, there is risk of bacterial infection setting in. Scratching also carries the risk of causing permanent scars on the face. Otherwise it is a benign condition which will not harm an individual in any way. There is no significant symptom except the cosmetic disfigurement and resultant mental stress. Acne can lower the self esteem of a teenager and even lead him or her to depression or suicide in extreme cases. The problem has assumed significant proportions today due to the stress on a smooth, flawless complexion in the advertisements by the companies selling face creams and lotions and hype generated by beauty pageants. Pharmaceuticals selling anti acne creams have also added to the hype and myths about acne. As such acne subsides with adulthood without any treatment, though when, cannot be predicted accurately. The theory that a high fat diet contributes to acne is not validated by research. The first step in treatment of acne is a keeping the face clean. Washing the face regularly with a mild soap or copious amounts of water, helps to clean and keep the skin pores open, blockade of which results in acne. Many kinds of ointments, creams and lotions are available for treatment of acne. They contain benzoyl peroxide (antibacterial), retinoic acid, niacin a component of vitamin B.complex, e.t.c.substances which reduces acne. Local application of antibitotics like tetracyclines, erythromycin and clindamycin is used for severe cases or those with secondary bacterial infections. Systemic antibiotics can also be used for severe cases. Dermabrasion is a surgical technique used for removing acne particularly when they are extensive on the face and recurrent or persistent. It is a long procedure in which the entire skin is scraped off and new skin comes up over a period of months. Destruction of the acne by laser therapy is a comparatively new technique but there is risk of damage to the surrounding skin along with the acne. Whatever treatment one takes, there is relapse of acne at some time later, though the intensity may be less. One can seek treatment for acne if they are severe and troublesome; otherwise there is no need to bother about it. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk