Acne - Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

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CAUSES:

Sometimes the follicle gets filled with dried out oil and dead skin and then sebum builds up and blackheads form and then trapped sebum (blackhead) gets infected with bacteria and pus-filled acne erupt with redness and inflammation around it.

• Genetics/family history
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Diet rich in oily foods and carbohydrates
• Hot climate
• Chemical exposure in certain cosmetics/creams
• Vitamin A and Vitamin E deficiency
• Poor hygiene
• Certain steroids
• Puberty
• Menstrual cycle
• Contraceptive pills
• Medications like corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium
• Reactions /allergy to a certain ingredient
• Teenagers

Symptoms/Diagnosis:

It can be easily clinically seen during clinical examination.

• Occurs mainly on the chest, face, arms neck and back.
• Redness /bump on the affected area
• Slight pain associated with touching it
• Pus is also associated with it
• Blackhead /whitehead can also be seen
• Lumps/nodules when deeply infected
• Can be round or spherical in shape ranging from 2 to 3mm
• Sometimes seen as covering half of the whole area in a fashion
• Swelling is also associated in severe cases
• Scars are also seen after healing.

Treatment:

It is based on the underlying cause

• First and foremost, use over-the-counter creams, lotions, and gels to slow down the inflammation that contains benzoyl peroxide.
• Cetaphil lotion can be used as a cleanser.
• Cleansing of the area thoroughly wherever the acne is a present help in further reducing the infection
• Stop using any ingredient which can further induce the state of inflammation.
• For treating blackheads and small red pimples – tretinoin –a vitamin A derivative or a 5% benzoyl peroxide cream can be used as per prescription.
• For treating red and yellow pimples (papules and pustules) topical antibiotics such as Eryderm, ilotycin, benzamidine, Zynaryt or clindamycin as well as erythromycin and sulphonamides.
• For moderate inflammation acne –systemic oral antibiotic such as oxytetracycline is the drug of choice. Minocycline or doxycycline is an alternative choice.
• For deep acne or inflamed cysts-Roaccutane is prescribed and an anti-androgenic contraceptive pill (Diane 35) maybe use in women with inflammatory acne.
• All the above medications should be used only under the prescription of a Dermatologist.

Other treatment /surgical:

• Laser treatment: it is mainly used to recontour soft tissue and reduce the redness of the skin around already healed acne lesions.
• Erbium: YAG laser can also be used.
• Autologous fat transfer: It actually treats the cosmetic disfigurement caused by deep acne by transferring fat from one area to inject it under the scar to plump it
• Skin surgery: If you have deep scarring, it is best to be treated with it such as punch excisional surgery.
• Dermabrasion: It is the most effective method which involves sanding down your skin /scar with rotating wire brush for new layer skin to appear by healing replacing the abraded skin
• Microdermabrasion

PREVENTION:

• Washing your face daily is the first and foremost step so that every dirt which is clogged into your skin due to pollution can be washed away to an extent.
• Never touch any part of your skin especially the face with your dirty hands. Make sure to clean your hands with soap daily.
• Never squeeze or scratch the acne area.
• Apply any lotion or over the counter creams recommended by your dermatologist.
• Never use any cosmetic or product which is allergic to your skin like astringents, facial scrubs unless they are advised by the doctor.
• Avoid stress.
• Try to have a diet with low carbohydrates and Vitamin –A rich.
• Try not to use hot water because it can worsen the acne.