Acne is the common name for a skin condition known medically as Acne Vulgaris, this is caused by the over activity of the pilosebaceous units in the skin. These units consist of a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland and are the source of much of the skin’s natural protection against the elements and other impurities. Acne sufferers tend to be in their teens, but are by no means always adolescent, and they suffer from what are usually non-inflammatory blemishes on the skin. Although these affect the face more than anything, they are also frequently found on the back and upper chest.

In its severest forms, acne can be characterised by inflammatory pustules and similar blemishes, which will be more painful and liable to further infection if left untreated or treated irregularly. Although acne affects mostly adolescents and tends to clear up as sufferers enter their mid-twenties, it is certainly not unheard of for it to affect older sufferers, including those in their thirties and forties, and some who are older.

Acne Vulgaris can be at the source of a number of different skin problems, with the lesions caused including pimples and “zits”. It is most frequent during adolescence – a time when social anxiety tends to be at its height, and therefore is all the more problematic to those sufferers. As well as physical scarring, it can leave a deep psychological impression – even going as far as depression. There are ways of tackling acne, but they must be aggressively pursued in order to put a definitive stop to the problem once and for all.

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ACNE SYMPTOMS

What we often refer to as “acne” is, in fact, a symptom of the condition rather than the problem itself. Acne vulgaris is the condition itself and is caused by a range of factors, while the problems that appear on our skin are more properly referred to as “lesions”, “blemishes”, “spots” or “blackheads”. All of the above problems are directly attributable to the condition Acne vulgaris. They are all external symptoms which are, in the main, visible to the naked eye. In many cases, people will witness the external symptoms and seek to get rid of those without thinking much about the causes. This is a major part of the problem – if the symptoms are treated and the causes get ignored, the cycle is destined to repeat itself.

In many cases, people will assume that the symptoms of acne – in particular blackheads – are a result of insufficient hygiene. This is not generally true, however. Blackheads are actually caused by a bodily chemical known as keratin which causes blockages deep within the follicles where they cannot be washed away. The keratin then oxidises and hardens close to the surface of the skin, and looks like dirt on the pore. A good facial cleansing regime can do a job to get rid of blackheads, but will not necessarily prevent their formation.

Another symptom of acne vulgaris is inflammation of the skin causing it to itch, redden and appear blotchy. To counter inflamation it is worthwhile taking paracetemol or other anti-inflammatory medication, which will offer respite for long enough to address the root causes.

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ACNE TYPES

ACNE VULGARIS (commonly called acne) is a common skin condition, caused by changes in pilosebaceous units, skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland, via androgen stimulation. It is characterized by noninflammatory follicular papules or comedones and by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules in its more severe forms. Acne vulgaris affects the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back. Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms.

Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, blemishes, spots, zits, or simply acne.

Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. The cause in adolescence is generally an increase in male sex hormones, which people of both genders accrue during puberty. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear—or at the very least decrease—after one reaches one’s early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will carry this condition well into their thirties, forties and beyond.

The face and upper neck are the most commonly affected, but the chest, back and shoulders may have acne as well. The upper arms can also have acne, but lesions found there are often keratosis pilaris, not acne. Typical acne lesions are comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules and nodules. Some of the large nodules were previously called “cysts” and the term nodulocystic has been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne.^[4]

Aside from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and, according to at least one study, depression or suicide. Acne usually appears during adolescence, when people already tend to be most socially insecure. Early and aggressive treatment is therefore advocated by some to lessen the overall impact to individuals.

THIS IS ACNE VULGARIS

Source Wikipedia

Photo www.Dermnet.com

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ACNE ROSACEA

This is actually not Acne but is confused with it so I have added it for your information

There are four identified rosacea subtypes and patients may have more than one subtype present^.

1. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Permanent redness (erythema) with a tendency to flush and blush easily. It is also common to have small blood vessels visible near the surface of the skin (telangiectasias) and possibly burning or itching sensations.
2. Papulopustular rosacea: Some permanent redness with red bumps (papules) with some pus filled (pustules) (which typically last 1–4 days); this subtype can be easily confused with acne.
3. Phymatous rosacea: This subtype is most commonly associated with rhinophyma, an enlargement of the nose. Symptoms include thickening skin, irregular surface nodularities, and enlargement. Phymatous rosacea can also affect the chin (gnatophyma), forehead (metophyma), cheeks, eyelids (blepharophyma), and ears (otophyma). Small blood vessels visible near the surface of the skin (telangiectasias) may be present.
4. Ocular rosacea:Red, dry and irritated eyes and eyelids. Some other symptoms include foreign body sensations, itching and burning.
   1. Hypertrophic scarring, which results in a growth of tissue. Excess collagen is produced, and in severe cases, large outgrowths may result.
   2. Atrophic scarring, which results in a loss of tissue. This type of scarring is much more common than hypertrophic scarring. There are several types:
      1. Atrophic macules. These are small, bluish-whitish skin colorations, and are usually less visible than other types of scarring.
      2. Depressed fibrotic scars. These are large, depressed valleys on the surface of the skin. They are usually jagged.
      3. Follicular macular atrophy, or perifollicular elastolysis. This consists in small, slightly raised lesions, similar in appearance to whiteheads.
      4. Ice. These less severe versions of depressed fibrotic scars.
      5. Soft scars. These are gentle, scar-like depressions in the skin. They are usually small, and either circular or linear.

THIS IS ACNE ROSACEA

Source Wikipedia
Photo by Dermnet.com

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ACNE SCARRING

Causes

Acne scarring is caused by a variety of factors. When acne is produced on the skin as a response to sebum, the body may attempt to target the inflammation with white blood cells. Once the inflammation has subsided, however, the tissue may have yet to be fully repaired, and as such, scar tissue will show. It is important, however, to note that marks on the skin are not necessarily scars; simple marks will usually disappear within seven months, though they may take up to two years to disappear completely.

There are two types of acne scarring. They are:

Prevention and treatment

Some people are more prone to acne scars than others. Acne scars should be treated early, with dermatological consultation, to reduce their visibility and size later in life.

THIS IS ACNE SCARRING

article source Wikipedia

Photo Derm.com

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CYSTIC ACNE

Cystic acne, also known as nodulocystic acne, is a severe form of acne wherein acne develops into small cysts. Acne cysts are not true cysts in the sense that they are not abnormal dilations of skin structure, but rather nodules of inflammation. Although not uncommon, it is rarer than other types of acne. Like other forms, it is caused by an excess build up of sebum in the pores and, contrary to popular belief, is not caused by, nor is it affected by, hygiene or the lack thereof. A common treatment for cystic acne is Isotretinoin, which cures most acne in about 90% of patients.

Cystic acne can affect the face, chest, back, shoulders and, occasionally, upper arms. Like pimples, which are more common, cysts are usually filled with a white pus-like substance. They are usually several millimeters in diameter, and can be quite painful.

If cystic acne is not treated early on, especially with antibiotics along with a topical cream, some degree of scarring will occur. This can be quite severe depending on the case. Although many scars can be treated, scars on the body often do not respond as well as those on the face. In most cases, it is unlikely that all scars can be removed. After cysts have mostly healed, macules, or “pseudo scars” may form. Macules are red patches of skin, sometimes raised slightly, where cysts used to be, and may resemble cysts in their appearance. They are sometimes known as “pseudo scars” because they resemble scars, but unlike true ones, macules usually only last up to six months and leave no permanent scar.

THIS IS CYSTIC ACNE
Read this to get a ‘Natural Cure’ for Cystic Acne!

Article from Wikipedia

Picture from www.dermnet.com

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ACNE – PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

The physical symptoms of acne are generally obvious to anyone who sees them. Painful-looking, blotchy red patches of skin which can, if left untreated, lead to breakage of the skin and aggravated problems are a common symptom of acne vulgaris. What people looking from the outside often don’t see is the severe mental and emotional torment that can be caused by acne. As it is well established that acne affects predominantly teenage victims – who are already at a stage in their life when they are most emotionally insecure – the importance of tackling it as early and as effectively as possible is clear.The reasons for acne having such a profound psychological effect are easy to see. During our teenage years we experience a very pronounced surge in hormones which affects almost everything about us. We grow in height, our voices change, and as puberty takes its effect our bodies change beyond all recognition. In addition to this our minds change considerably too, as we become acutely aware of our burgeoning sexuality and that of our peers. It is a pressurised time for anyone, and adding the self-esteem problems generated by acne means it is hardly a surprise that it is seen as a cause of teenage depression.

There have been studies which point to a link between acne and problems as severe as suicide. Problem acne can be so profoundly affecting for an individual that they feel there is no prospect of ever being happy. If necessary, it can be helpful to have counselling alongside whatever acne treatment you decide on.

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ACNE – WHAT CAUSES IT?

The problem of acne and other skin conditions is the bane of many an adolescent existence. The physical pain and other symptoms are quite hard enough to deal with, but when taken in addition to the psychological ill effects of the syndrome the overall effect can be devastating. Treating the symptoms is of limited use to anyone, as it fails to tackle the root causes of acne, and can only ever work in a temporary sense. To know how to get rid of acne, it is instructive to first look at why it happens. Knowing this enables us to address why we are suffering from acne and get rid of it once and for all.One of the major causes of acne is heredity. This, unfortunately, is unavoidable, as we all need to have DNA. However, there is an upside to this. Knowing that you are likely to be at a high risk allows you to tackle the other causes before acne flares up. Another known cause of acne is stress. Stress may seem like an adult problem, but the pressures of school in addition to peer group pressure can cause an adolescent to have more than their fair share of stress. This is also a highly probable cause of adult acne.

There is also some suggestion that dietary factors can help trigger or aggravate acne. It was once thought that chocolate was one such dietary element in causing the problem, but studies have proved this to be false. It is, however, advisable to steer clear of excessive dairy intake and junk food.

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