ACNE

About Acne Diagnosing

2008-08-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

Most people in their teens and early twenties will suffer from mild acne which is readily recognized by the appearance of small blackheads and white pimples ringed by a slight redness. In these cases diagnosis is not really necessary but, in more severe cases, with nodules and cysts and where papules or pustules are widespread on the face and also appear on the shoulders, chest and back it is wise to seek a professional diagnosis from a dermatologist.

Where acne consists of simple whiteheads and blackheads (which are simply whiteheads which are open to the air and turn black as a result of oxidization) these are normally referred to as closed and open comedones respectively and often a good antibacterial cleansing cream and time is all that is needed to treat the problem.

In more serious cases of acne, such as where nodules and cysts form, it is not uncommon to experience a range of other symptoms including such things as aching joints, headaches, a fever and gastrointestinal problems. Here specialist treatment will be necessary including the use of a range of prescription drugs.

Diagnosing acne is not always easy and so it can be helpful to your doctor if you keep a record of your symptoms for a while before visiting the surgery. For example, listing down exactly what symptoms you experience and when they appear can be important in pinpointing the precise form of acne which is present. Your record should also describe the appearance of any spots including such things as whether they feel soft or hard, whether they are painful and whether they appear to contain pus.

In some cases things like mosquito and spider bites can appear very much like acne spots when they first appear but will usually disappear within a couple of days, unless you are allergic to the bite in question.

Another common condition which can often be confused with acne is rosacea which, like acne can often causes papules and red pustules. Similarly keratosis pilaris can frequently produce small bumps which resemble whiteheads, as can the heat rash miliaria rubra.

Many allergies can also produce a skin reaction similar to the appearance of acne, as can some sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, certain sexually transmitted diseases can actually cause acne while other produce similar skin reactions, such as herpes which can result in red and painful bumps which appear on the buttocks.

Some drugs such as anabolic steroids, lithium, prednisone, phenobarbital and tetracycline can also cause acne, as can an excess of Vitamin B complex. For this reason, it is extremely important that you give your doctor a full and frank history of any drug use including any dietary supplements which you are taking.

When we talk about acne it often seems like a very simple and common skin complaint which can be easily treated with an over-the-counter cream. Many times this is the case, however, there are also many forms of acne which require a professional diagnosis and specialist treatment. Applying an over-the-counter cream will have little is any effect if what you really require is cystic acne treatment or a cure for keloid acne.

Types of Acne and Its Cause

2008-08-24T02:19:00.000-07:00

For most of us acne conjures up a picture of simple pimples which are essentially trapped pus made up of dead skin cells, natural skin oil known as sebum and white blood cells. There are however several different types of acne and some can be quite severe.

Doctors often categorize acne into one of four grades starting with mild acne at grade I and rising to the most severe forms of acne at grade IV.

The acne which most of us will suffer from at some point in our lives is a simple grade I non-inflamed form of the condition which consists of blackheads and whiteheads and, occasionally, a grade II form of acne in which there are a larger than usual number of spots, some of which may be mildly inflamed and include what are known as papules (small lesions in the skin which forms a bump which sits prominent of the skin surface) or pustules (similar to papules but containing pus in the form of a mixture of dead skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria). As papules and pustules become larger and more numerous acne moves up to grade III. Finally, at stage IV, acne is usually widespread and confined to more than simply the face. It is also common at this stage to find both nodules and cysts developing.

The commonest form of grade I mild acne is often referred to as acne vulgaris and it can generally be very effectively treated using a range of over-the-counter medicines. Other forms of acne however will normally require specialist treatment for which you will need to consult your doctor or a dermatologist.

Trying to describe the various different forms of acne here is difficult because there are so many variations including acne congoblata, acne fulminans and cystic acne.

Acne congoblata, for example, is characterized by severe inflammation and often deep abscesses which frequently leads to skin damage and scarring.

Acne fulminans is a nodular form of acne in which the nodules frequently ulcerate leading to a particularly painful form of the condition which tends to be recurrent. Acne fulminans can also produce aching joints and a fever and requires treatment not simply for the acne itself, but also for the accompanying symptoms.

Cystic acne, or nodulocystic acne, is a severe form of acne in which cysts are formed by acute inflammation often covering large areas or forming tunnels under the skin which causes infection to spread rapidly.

Whatever type of acne you are suffering from it is very important that you both consult your doctor or a dermatologist to get a professional diagnosis and that you then adopt a clear plan of proactive acne treatment and do not simply leave Mother Nature to take care of the problem for you.

Acne and Skin Care

2008-08-23T01:19:00.001-07:00

Although good skin care plays only a very minor role in whether or not you get acne in the first place, it does play an extremely important role in treating acne.

Some people believe that vigorous washing can help prevent acne and that, if acne does occur, it can help to clear it up quickly. The truth is that washing has little if any effect on whether or not you develop acne in the first place but vigorous washing once it has arrived can actually help to spread, and thus worsen, the condition.

Over washing can dry out the skin, roughening it and removing the outer protective layers of the skin so that the skin has to release its natural oils to provide a protective coating while the outer layers of skin re-grow. This release of oil when the acne bacteria are present simply helps to spread the problem over a wider area.

The best policy in general, and certainly if you are suffering from acne, is to wash gently every morning and last thing at night with a mild cleanser and, this should not simply be confined to the face, but should also include the neck, shoulders, back and chest. It can also be helpful to apply a mild cleanser to the area along the hairline and under the jaw in the middle of the day and again during the evening.

Natural skin oil plays an important part in the development and spread of acne and so removing excess oil is important. However, it also plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and elastic skin and so removing every trace of it is not a good idea. For this reason you should use astringents which are designed to remove oil sparingly and with care.

Over-the-counter and prescription acne preparations have been designed specifically to get the balance right and to both treat your acne and also to protect your skin. However, they will only do this if they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions and using medication which is of too high a strength for your particular acne or using it too often can, like vigorous washing, make the problem worse rather than better.

Makeup can often present women with a problem too when it comes to acne as, while it can help to conceal the problem, it can also add to it. Fortunately, there are many forms of makeup marketed today which again have been specially formulated for women (and indeed men) with acne and, while these are often a bit more expensive than regular makeup, the cost is well worth it and will be more than made up for by the lower cost of treating your acne if you try to use regular makeup.

Choosing the right acne medication for your particular form of acne and skin type is not always easy and often it is a case of having to try two or three different treatments before you find the one which works best for you. This can also be an expensive operation so don't be afraid to talk to the druggist who will often be prepared to let you have free samples of acne medicine to try.

Acne and Skin Care

2008-08-23T01:19:00.000-07:00

Acne Sufferer

2008-08-23T01:17:00.000-07:00

In simple terms just about all of us will get acne at some point in our lives but acne does tend to be a problem for different groups of people at different points in their lives.

Acne arises when pores in the skin become blocked so that natural skin oil which is produced at the base of the hair follicles builds up together with dead skin cells to provide the perfect breeding ground for the acne bacterium. We also know that hormones play an important part in the production of skin oil and this provides us with a clue when it comes to looking at just when acne is most likely to develop.

During our teenage years our hormone levels rise dramatically and this tends to start in girls at around the age of 11 and in boys at about the age of 13, the ages as which the both genders tend to enter puberty. This is the first point therefore at which we tend to develop acne.

When it comes to hormone production during puberty boys tend to produce higher levels of androgen hormones than girls and, as a result, acne tends to be affect boys more than girls and boys often have not only more pimples but also more severe forms of acne. Across both genders about forty percent of all teenage acne will be severe enough to warrant treatment by a doctor or dermatologist.

So, during our teenage years, and indeed up to the age of about 24, the incidence of acne in both girls and boys is roughly equal with boys tending to suffer slightly more than girls in terms of the severity of outbreaks. However, at this point the scales tend to tip in favor of men and acne thereafter becomes more of a problem for women.

As women enter their regular monthly hormonal cycle acne tends to begin to follow this cycle and as many as half of all women will suffer from premenstrual related acne during their twenties and into their early thirties. However, this is not the end of the problem and from their mid-thirties through until the menopause the chance of experiencing an outbreak of acne during the monthly cycle tends to increase.

One very important point to remember about acne is that despite these patterns acne can in fact appear in both genders at any ages and it is not uncommon to find acne in babies and in people over the age of fifty. It also affects people of all races and, although it is often thought to be more prevalent among Caucasians, it is found in all races including blacks, Hispanics, Asians and others.

Fortunately today there are a wide range of cures for hormonal acne and most cases of acne can be treated very effectively with a range of over-the-counter medications.

How to Treat Acne Scars

2008-08-22T01:05:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that most of us will suffer from acne at some point in our lives, in most cases, acne can be very effectively treated and will clear up in time without any lasting effects. However, in some cases acne can lead to scarring which can range from very mild and almost unnoticeable to very severe and deep scarring. Fortunately, there are several very effective treatments available today.

The first problem when it comes to acne scarring is that not all scars are the same and it is vitally important to have your scarring professionally assessed by your dermatologist before commencing any form of treatment. For example, two commonly used treatments are dermabrasion and laser resurfacing which can be very effective for mild and shallow scarring. However, if you have deep, steep sided scrars (often referred to as icepick scars) then dermabrasion or laser resurfacing will not work.

The four most frequently used acne scarring treatments today are dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, surgery and drug treatment.

Dermabrasion has been around for many years now and is used to treat a wide range of skin conditions, including mild and shallow acne scarring. After the application of a local anesthetic a high speed brush is used to 'sand' off the top layer of skin. The skin will then regenerate through the natural healing process removing the scarring or making it less obvious. This treatment often needs to be repeated several times over a period of months in order to clear even relatively mild scarring.

Laser Resurfacing is a reasonably new form of treatment for mild acne scarring and works in a similar fashion to dermabrasion, in this case burning away the top layers of the skin. At present there are a wide range of laser treatments available and many of these (for example using different colored lasers) are still very much under evaluation.

Surgery is an option for those people with significant scarring, such as the deep, steep sided scars which are often referred to as icepick scars. In some cases a technique known as punching will be used in which the scar is cut out down to the level of the skin's subcutaneous fat and the resulting hole is repaired either with sutures or with a small skin graft. Another technique employed is subcision in which the scar tissue is lifted away from the underlying unscarred tissue.

Drug treatments are used when scarring will not normally respond to other standard treatment methods. For example, mechanical methods such as those described above can actually cause certain forms of scarring such as keloids to spread further. Drugs are sometimes injected directly into the area around the scar or can be given in the form of a topical cream.

While it is possible to get rid of acne scars this is not something which you should attempt to do yourself and you should always consult either your doctor or a dermatologists to ensure that you get the right treatment for your particular type of scaring.

Acne

2008-08-22T00:56:00.000-07:00

Acne is a very common skin condition which arises when pores become blocked with bacteria trapped inside them. There are a number of different forms of acne and the condition affects just about all of us at some stage in our lives, and especially during our teenage years.

The surface of the skin contains pores, or tiny openings called follicles, and deep inside each pore at the base of each hair follicle is a sebaceous gland which produces a natural type of oil known as sebum which acts to protect the skin and to give it flexibility. As hair grows through the surface of the skin, oil seeps out onto the surface of the skin and is then removed through normal washing, along with dead skin cells. This natural process is however interrupted when a pore becomes blocked and dead skin and oil build up inside the blocked pore providing the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and the development of acne.

One common form of acne is seen as white spots which are essentially trapped pus created from a mixture of dead skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria. This trapped pus can also frequently lead to a red and inflamed area around the spot or pimple.

When spots appear with a black rather than a white head we naturally call them blackheads, but what is not commonly known is that these too are a form of acne. In this case the material which is trapped below the surface of the skin pokes through the skin and the black color is caused by a chemical reaction with the oxygen in the air which turns the mixture of sebum and dead skin cells black.

Most people will suffer from simple blackheads and whiteheads and, while they can be unsightly, they can also be treated and will disappear in time. However, acne spots are often 'self-treated' by squeezing or popping them and this is the worst thing you can do because it will both help to spread the acne bacteria (making the problem far worse) and can also cause damage to the skin which results in acne scaring.

Acne is not however confined to simple whiteheads and blackheads and there are also various other forms of acne commonly referred to as papules, nodules or cysts. Each particular type of acne has a slightly different underlying cause, and therefore treatment, and so it is important that you have your particular form of acne diagnosed by your doctor or a dermatologist before deciding on the best acne medication for your particular condition.

Pregnant Women and Acne Treatment

2008-02-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Treating acne is really the right move when you have it, but not at all times. There are stages in the life of a person when you could not treat acne anytime you want to. And, this is during pregnancy. As we know, this is a delicate stage in a woman’s life and it is that phase of a woman’s life that she must show extra care for herself. When she feels the need of treating acne, she must see to it that she equips her self with the right information.

This must also be remembered by those who may also get pregnant. The following are some medications for acne that are not good for use during pregnancy for they are harmful for the fetus:

First is Hormonal therapy that may include estrogen, flutamide, and spirolactone. They are a big no. They are harmful and may lead to some problems for both the mother and the child. Better see it as a threat

Another one that would just put a pregnant woman’s life in danger is Isotretinoin. This has negative effects as well especially for pregnant women or those that are breastfeeding. This could cause severe health hazards on both mother and the fetus inside her womb. It is advised that a woman on the process of taking this must be monitored by the expert. Those who are trying to be pregnant must ignore the use of this for it may just trigger negative effects not only for you but most especially to your child.

And, also if Oral tetracyclines which could be of doxycycline, tetracycline and minocycline, must not be an option at all for it would not do you any good. As tested and proven, pregnant women or those that are breastfeeding must ignore the use of this for it may just give those bad side effects that would nothing else be but a threat to your life and to your child. The topmost effect is permanent discoloration of teeth or bone disorders.

And the last one to ignore is topical retinoids such as tazarotene, adapalene and tretinoin.
Just like the above-mentioned means, this could just be another hazard to you and your baby’s health. So, whether you are pregnant or not, it is not wise to use all these mentioned.

For all of you who would like to treat their acne but are pregnant, why must you risk your life and the life of your child just to have a prettier face?

There is due time for treating your acne and during your pregnancy is not one of the safest times.

Remedies of Nature: Acne Treatment

2008-02-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Every person knows the value of our face. The better it is, the more advantageous it gets. Before anything else, it is the first thing others look at whenever they see you. In general, our confidence relies on our contentment to our physical appearance. When one thinks he or she looks good, the confidence really exudes.

For growing up, the growth of pimples is really a major concern. For those who do not have problems involving the face, congratulations! For those who are crying over it, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel!

Is acne your problem? Are you spending too much money for chemical remedy? Do you want to apply a remedy but you are afraid it may be harsh? Try the natural way of treating your acne. You do not have to go that far… The treatment is right in your home. The doctor is right within you.

The most effective beauty tip of all times is: drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Hydrating your body will help you get rid toxins. Love your body and love your skin.

Healthy and clean acts may also help. Make sure that you do not leave makeup products on your skin because it contributes to clogging your pores, causing more pimples and blackheads. Do not sleep with make-up on. Also, keep your hair away from your face. Hair contains oil that may create breakouts to your skin.

Wash your pillow case and towels. They are absorbent and they absorb even acne-contributors too. Lastly, never prick your pimples. You do not want your face to be as dirty as your fingernails, right?

Eating healthy food because when you have ACNE would be best in order for you to cleanse yourself not only outside but also inside. It would indeed help if you lessen your oily or fatty food intake. Eating food rich in fiber is a remedy. Moreover, in order for you to maintain a healthy skin, eating food that is considered anti-oxidants would matter a lot. Food rich in Vitamins A, B and D as well as those rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, chloride, magnesium, zinc, iron and sodium.

When you maintain a diet which is high in beta-carotene and zinc, it would also be of help not only prevention but as well as in the healing process and anti-scarring of acne.

Beauty is skin deep. Yes, but having beautiful skin will make you feel more beautiful for your self.

Your Acne and the Society

2008-02-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

(Social impacts of acne to a person)

“Some people think that the physical things define what’s within… So full of the superficial…”

We could not deny the fact that in this world of beauty magazines, you would always feel that there is a need to look good. What would you feel when there are red oily humps on your face? Of course, this would matter much.

When one has ACNE, it would definitely cause an effect that would let the person not only feel a certain “missing ____” inside. Not only that, the following are even worse outcomes brought about by having ACNE in connection with the present society:

- Social withdrawal
- Decreased self-esteem
- Reduced self-confidence
- Poor body image
- Embarrassment
- Feelings of depression
- Anger
- Preoccupation
- Frustration
- Higher rate of unemployment

There are 3 key points to consider in seeking for the best way of solving acne problems:

Solution takes time so never resort to “fast-promise” remedy. Bear in mind that it will not get healed over night; it is a case of patience and dedication. Patience to wait for the right time to heal and dedication to do one’s regimen for treatment are all needed.

Not all methods will work for all. Do not think that the method for A and B are also good for you. Each of us has a unique skin type so consider all options and be keen in choosing one.

You may need a dermatologist’s advice. Do not experiment this time. Acne is a sensitive skin problem so it needs delicate way of treatment. Seek the expert’s help or else you will end up with a worsen condition.
Society favors those who look good. We do not have to look perfect in order to meet that standard. We just have to have the confidence and it could be obtained if one feels comfortable with his or her self. This is achieved when you get the healthy skin you want.

Facing Acne: How to Cope With its Effects

2008-02-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

As we are all aware of, there are emotional effects caused by acne. More than those obvious red bumps on your face, there are effects of acne that could not just be healed by any cream or acne solution and that is the emotional scars left by acne. Well, no doctor or any expert dermatologist could provide you with the best answers to this problem on acne.

According to studies, acne is very common when one is on his teenage years. For teenagers experiencing the pains of acne, it is very difficult to face the social impacts of acne. There are these marks of shame, depression and even self-pity. As a parent of a teenager who faces this problem, you could be one of the greatest helps. What could you do? You could do a lot.

Remind your child that acne is temporary.

As a guardian, you need to be there and give the encouragement to your child. You would probably see him or her so down due to the way people and criticisms pinch him or her. Tell that it will not last for long and that it would be successfully surpassed. Never stop to explain the importance of moving on despite the negative reactions from others for their words are not that important at all.

Bring your teen to a good dermatologist

Do not wait for your teen’s acne problem to get worse before you go and see a dermatologist. The earlier the better, this may be cliché but very true for this matter and you could realize the truth behind this. You need to find the dermatologist who deserves your trust. Be with your teen as you have visits to the dermatologist. Also, help your teen follow the reminders and instructions of the dermatologist.

Guide your child to do the right things

There are some things or acts that may worsen acne. See to it that you are near your teen to remind that those are not the right thing to do and it would just cause bad effects. Explain the cause and effect of acne problems and be sure t answer questions that your teen has.

Boost your teen’s self-confidence

Self-confidence plunges down when all those mocks and teases arise. The effect to your teen would be bitter. Be there to boost the esteem he or she has inside. Be generous with praises but do not use them just to flatter. Tell your teen about how wonderful his or her talent is. This would be a lift to his/her morale.

You are a parent, and you could help out your teen feel better through the misjudgments of the society towards people with acne. This is just a stage; it would surely be put to an end. Be there and support your child like no one could.

Misunderstanding Acne

2008-02-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

When those reddish things on your face start to show up, you may think that it may have been caused by this or that. You may even blame it to the most unreasonable reason. Well the best thing for you to do is to stop these misunderstandings. When you stick with them, it would not help you find the right treatment for your acne.

These are the common things we think of when it comes to the cause of acne:

The most misconception is that it is fine to have acne especially when you are a teenager. Common people would connect it to puberty or to adolescence. This is not a fact. Well, there may be some reasons such as the changes in hormones as one is in that stage. But there is falsity when people say that acne is for teenagers only. As we could see or read on some researches, there are also adults who experience the same acne problems as adults do. Age does not matter when it comes to having acne as long as you keep your face clean, you would not be prone to have it.

Another thing that has been believed to be the cause of acne is daily stress. Most people, young and old, believe in this wrong thought. There is no direct connection between stress and having acne for it the stress caused by your daily life and all other stressful activities you may think of. There has nothing to do with whatever root of stress in your work or studies. There has something to do with the way you treat your skin. When you do not keep your regimen to keep your skin healthy, you would probably have that acne that you are scared to have.

When most people think that acne is just a physical problem, it is but you should also know that it is also an emotional burden. There are a lot of emotional impacts that could be caused by having acne. On of the top most effect is having low self-esteem. As you live in a superficial world like ours, you would really feel insecure whenever you feel like having those eyes staring at your face. People with acne are so timid for they may just be tagged as “ugly” by others. There is a need for you to take care of your skin and face.

The most common misconception about acne is that it could be acquired from eating oily food. Desserts, chocolates and all those oily food must not be blamed for eating such food but for not taking good care of your skin. Well, you must se to it that you maintain that right way of keeping your face clean and healthy.

You have to know the real causes of acne; just do not resort to the wrong conceptions. They could just harm you instead of helping you out in getting rid of acne. And, you know what could be the effects of those red tiny humps on your face.