Monday 7 September 2015

Acne




 


 
 
 
Acne 
 
      1.       What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition in which the sebaceous or oil glands of the skin become inflamed.  At first, the sebaceous glands become blocked by white and blackheads.  Then they become inflamed and can lead to red bumps called papules and yellow heads called pustules and even deep and tender cysts.

Acne is a very common condition in adolescence.  It occurs in young men aged between 13 and 18 and worsens between 18 and 19 years old.  It is less common in girls and common around 14 years old and worsen especially around period time.  It usually settles by the age of 20, but may continue longer in severe cases.
 
Acne often appears on the face, but can extend onto neck, chest, shoulders and back.
2.      What causes acne?
Acne is related to an increase in the levels of male hormones during puberty in both sexes. Although the increase in the hormone levels is normal, some people are more sensitive to it. The rise in the hormone levels stimulate the growth of bacteria that live on our skin. This causes the blockage of the sebaceous glands and release fatty acids which in turn irritate and inflame our skin, hence causing acne formation.
3.      Important facts about acne:
a.      Acne is usually not affected by diet.
b.      It is not caused by oil hair or hair touching the forehead.
c.      It is not infectious from one person to another.
d.      Ordinary chemicals including chlorine in swimming pools do not make it worse.
e.      Blackheads are not dirty and they will not dissolve in hot or soapy water.
f.       Acne may flare up more with stress and emotional upsets.
4.      Advice to parents:
a.      Your son or daughter hates acne and finds it embarrassing, so be supportive.
b.      Acne is not due to the ways the skin is washed or what is eaten.
c.       It will not help if you are over-anxious or nagging your children about it.
d.      Be supportive and understanding.
e.      Follow your doctor’s advice and instructions in acne treatment.
5.      What is the treatment for acne?
a.      Diet:  avoid foods that seem to aggravate your acne, such as chocolate and milk.
b.      Soap and washing:  use normal soap and gentle skin washing.
c.      Cosmetics:  avoid oily or creamy cosmetics and all moisturizers. Water based lotions
   and cosmetics are preferred. Use cosmetics sparingly.
d.      Hair washing and shampoos:  these make no difference to acne.
e.      Blackheads removal:  this is not recommended.  Avoid picking or squeezing acne.
f.       Exercise:  this has no proven value to the treatment of acne.
g.      Ultraviolet:  this can be beneficial.  However, avoid extreme exposure to sunlight and
   avoid sunburns.
h.      Lotions, creams and gels:  these can be useful, such as Sulphur, salicylic acid,
   benzoyl peroxide and retinoic lotions
i.       Antibiotics:  these have proven value to acne treatment. Oral antibiotic course and
   topical antibiotic preparations are effective.  Please consult your doctor for further
   advice.
j.      The pill:  some specific contraceptive pills are very effective in treating acne in
    women.  

 

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