Acne Vulgaris

Nail Diseases
Drug Allergy
Eczema
Folliculitis
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Scabies
Skin Cancer
Skin Disease During Pregnancy
Disease Caused By Cosmetics
Disease Caused By Diabetes
Urticaria
Freckles
Fungal Disease
Impetigo
Hair Loss
Acne Vulgaris
Benign Skin Tumors
Contact Allergy
Birthmarks
Melasma
Molluscum Contagiosum
Nickel Allergy
Post Inflammatory Pigmentation

Skin Disorders (Home) > Acne Vulgaris

Acne Vulgaris (Pimple)

Causes of Acne

“Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin called pores become clogged. Each pore is an opening to a canal called a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. Normally, the oil glands help keep the skin lubricated and help remove old skin cells. When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked, accumulating dirt, debris, and bacteria. The blockage is called a plug or comedone.”
-    Medline plus web site, June 2006

Acne is directly causes by hormonal changes, induced by such things as pregnancy, menstruation, birth control pills, and stress. Other causes of acne include greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products, drugs with high hormone content such as steroids, and high levels of humidity and sweating which causes blocked pores.

“The condition is common in puberty among Western societies. It is considered an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches their early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties and even beyond. Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life.”
-    Acne, Wikipedia, June 2006

Acne Myths, Debunked
Popular rumors indicate that everything from chocolate to nuts can cause acne.

Acne is not caused by any food products unless you are rubbing those foods on your skin. Eat all the chocolate and sugar that you please – these things do not causes acne vulgaris, or pimples.

Types of Acne

“The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common acne." Excessive secretion of oils from the glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply uncontrolled. In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms are especially affected.”
-    Acne, Wikipedia, June 2006

Acne vulgaris usually appears in the following forms:

    -Blackheads
    -Whiteheads
    -Cysts
    -Pustules
    -Redness
    -Inflammation

Warnings and Precautions

Acne vulgaris, or pimples, can cause scarring of the skin. Because acne is so common and so easily treated, there is no reason you should not consult with a physician if you suspect you suffer from acne vulgaris. Acne can be treated. Facial scarring very often cannot.

Treatment of Acne Vulgaris (Pimples)

To prevent acne, use a mild, oil-free soap that does not dry out the skin and clean your face twice a day and after heavy physical exertion. Do not, however, wash your skin excessively as this will cause skin to dry out and cause more pimples to form.
Shampoo hair daily to keep oils from building up, and keep hair out of your face as much as possible.
Try not to touch pimples or any area of the face with your hands or fingers, which may be oily or dirty.
Use water-based, oil-free cosmetics and lotions on your face, and be sure to remove any make-up before going to bed at night.
Consult with a physician if acne persists. In most cases, insurance companies now regard acne as a true medical condition and not just a cosmetic one. This very common skin disorder, while embarrassing, can be treated very easily. Many suffer from acne, and there is no reason to.

Summary
The most common skin disorder, three out of four teenagers suffer from acne vulgaris, or pimples. However, teenagers are not the only ones who may suffer from acne.

	More Articles
1. Melasma Melasma If brown patches appear on sun-exposed areas of your skin, you may suffer from a common skin disorder known as melasma. Frequently [...]
2. Nail Diseases Nail Diseases There are many types of diseases that affect the nails. Sometimes these are directly concerned with the nails, while at other times the nail disease [...]
3. Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum Contagiosum Although Molluscum contagiosum affects many populations, including babies and toddlers, the medical community has classified this viral affliction as a sexually transmitted infection. [...]
4. Hair Loss Hair Loss Hair loss has been a hot topic for quite some years now; from people trying to sell miraculous lotions (that are [...]

ADD YOUR LINK HERE

Bookmark This Page:

Add to Favorites

Add to Del.icio.us

Send to a Friend

Resources:

About Us | Contact Us | Link to Us