So You Want Help With Your Acne

 

Get simple, truthful advice from an honest person who is actually a 25 year sufferer of this dreaded disease.  Too many people who have no clue are trying to hone in on this subject.  The advice I give is researched and learned. 

 

 I have been one of those people that spent many nights crying, never went to the local parties and couldnt get a girlfriend.  I am sincere and I feel for every single person that has to go through this dreaded disease I call the trial and error disease.

 What Is Acne
 
Acne is a skin disease caused by changes in the skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland.   Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms.  Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots, zits or acne.

Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood.  For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to dissapear-or at the very least decrease-after one reaches his or her twenties.  There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to dissapear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer 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 not acne.  Typical acne lesions are comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules and nodules.
Some of the larger nodules were previously called cysts and the term nodulocystic has been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne.

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 the most socially insecure.  Early and aggressive treatment is therefore advocated by some to lesson the overall impact to individuals.
 
 
 What Causes Acne
 
 Acne develops as a result of blockages in follicles.  Hyperkerantinization and formation of am plug of keratin and sebum is the earliest change.  Enlargement of sebaceous glands an an increase in sebum production occur with increased androgen production at adrenarche.  The micromedo may enlarge to form a whitehead.  Whiteheads are the direct result of skin pores becoming clogged with sebum, a naturally occuring oil, and dead skin cells.  In these conditions the naturally occurring largely commensal bacteria can cause inflamation, leading to inflammatory lesions in the dermis around the micromedo or comedo, which results in redness and may result in redness and scarring.
 
 
 Primary Causes
 
 
 The root cause of why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known.  It is known to be partly hereditary.  Several factors are known to be linked to acne.
  • Family/Genetic history.  The tendency to develop acne runs in families.  For example, school-age boys with acne often have other members in their family with acne as well.  A family history of acne is associated with an earlier occurence of acne and an increased number of retentional acne lesions.
  • Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty.  During puberty, an increase in male sex hormones called androgens cause the glands to get larger and make more sebum.
  • Inflammation, skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation.  Anti-inflammatories are known to improve acne.
  • Stress, through increased output of hormones from the adrenal glands, although modern tests have said other wise and point to this not being a cause.
  • Accumulation of dead skin cells.
  • Bacteria in the pores.
  • Any medications containing lithium, barbiturates or androgens.
  • Exposure to ceartain chemical compounds.
  • Exposure to halogens.
  • Chronic use of amphetamines.
  • Many patients hold the belief that their acne is influenced by dietary factors, while in previous decades, doctors thought that diet had little influence on acne.  There is surprisingly little good scientific evidence to support or refute diet as a factor influencing acne.  Most dermatologists are awaiting confirmatory research linking diet and acne but some support the idea that acne sufferers should experiment with their diets, and refrain from consuming such fare if they find such food affects the severity of their acne.
 
 
 
 
 
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