Acne
Acne is a skin condition in which clogged pores cause blackheads or whiteheads (pimples), pus-filled blisters, or nodules to form. They are often painful and raised above the skin's surface.
Table of Contents
Types of acne
- Cystic:It is characterized by deep, purulent comedones and nodules that easily scar.
- Fungal: It develops when yeast fungi multiply in hair follicles, causing inflammation and itching.
- Hormonal: It is the result of hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands and protection of the follicles, related to hormonal imbalance.
- nodular: It is the most severe of the forms of acne, with the development of purulent nodules on the surface and deep within the skin.
Cystic and nodular forms cause deep skin damage – with the formation of scars. For the effectiveness of treatment, it is necessary to involve a specialist in the process in a timely manner.
Who develops acne?
Anyone can develop the disease at some point in their life. It is most common in teenagers and young adults. Acne is more common in women.
How common is it?
11% of people between the ages of 30 and 80 have had an episode of acne of varying severity at least once in their lives.
What areas of the body's skin does it affect?
Acne is most common in areas of the body where there are a lot of sebaceous glands:
- the face
- forehead
- chest
- shoulders
- Upper back pain
Symptoms
- Purulent nodules (pustules)
- Nodules located on the surface or deep in the skin
- Color eaters
- Whiteheads
- Subcutaneous, painful nodules
- Fluid-filled blisters on the surface of the skin
The rash may consist of several elements, although in severe cases the number of elements is very large.
What causes acne?
The cause of the disease is the blockage of the hair follicle canal. Hair follicles are small, tubular structures in which the hair shaft is located. The follicle secretes products from various glands. When for some reason the function of these glands increases, the follicle becomes blocked and bacteria multiply. The cause of the blocked follicle may be:
- Fat: As a result of hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands. Sebum is needed to create a protective layer on the surface of the skin.
- Bacteria: Small amounts of bacteria are physiologically present on the skin's surface. When they multiply, they can clog follicles.
- Sloughed skin cells: During the process of skin cell renewal, the sloughed epithelium sometimes blocks the follicles.
The blockage of the hair follicle and the proliferation of bacteria within it leads to the formation of a purulent blister.
Contributing factors
Specific environmental factors contribute to the development of the rash or its progression.
- Wearing tight clothing, especially in high temperatures and humidity
- Environmental pollution
- High-oil skincare products, or working in oily environments.
- Stress and hormonal imbalance (hyperproduction of cortisol)
- Side effects of medications (corticosteroids)
- Mechanical damage to the rash units (irrigation)
Consuming certain foods and drinks may contribute to the development of acne:
- Fatty milk
- Whey protein
- Carbohydrate-rich foods
Hormonal imbalance
Acne is a condition that develops due to an imbalance of androgen hormones, primarily testosterone. This condition is common in adolescents and young adults. Acne breakouts are common during the menstrual cycle in women, which is also a result of increased sensitivity to hormones and the proliferation of bacteria on the skin.
Diagnostic tests
Diagnosis begins with a visual examination of the skin and a review of the history.
No additional tests are needed for diagnostics, although laboratory diagnostics are important to identify other diseases that cause acne.
Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and others can cause acne to develop or worsen.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the underlying cause/disease and reduce the number of rashes locally.
The duration of treatment varies from person to person. Adolescent acne often resolves on its own in adulthood, although sometimes the problem persists into adulthood.
How to deal with acne in the summer?
If you suffer from acne and have been battling it for months, you may have noticed that despite all your efforts, the intensity of your breakouts increases during the summer.
Studies confirm the connection between hot summer weather and the intensity of acne.
Using moisturizers and sunscreens in the summer can be dangerous as well as beneficial. When these products mix with sweat, oil, and other pollutants on the skin's surface, they clog pores and cause or worsen acne.
Here are a few simple recommendations to help prevent the development or worsening of acne in the summer:
- Use a natural, clean cloth to dry your skin.
- Towels, hats, scarves – wash immediately after use
- Use non-comedogenic (pimple-inhibiting) products for facial care.
- Choose the right facial cleansers
- Avoid oily creams and lotions in the summer.
- Use water-based sunscreens
- Maintain skin hygiene
- Avoid using decorative cosmetics in the summer.
- Avoid mechanically squeezing pimples by hand.
- Consult a specialist in a timely manner if necessary.
For diagnosing acne-related diseases and conditions"Synevo" We offer research:
| Name of the test | Category | Price | CODE | Response time (working day) ** | Location of the analysis **** | Buy | hf:tax:product_cat |
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Resources
https://www.synevo.ro/alunite-cancerigene/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-does-my-acne-get-worse-in-the-summer
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/prevent-summer-skin-problems
