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[PG-13] Parents Strongly Cautioned
Complete Health Resource :: Sick! V1
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ACNE
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DEFINITION
Acne is a common skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
DESCRIPTION
The medical term for acne is acne vulgaris. It is the most common of all skin diseases, affecting about seventeen million Americans. Acne can occur at any age, but it is most common among adolescents. Nearly 85 percent of people between the ages of twelve and twenty-five develop acne. Up to 20 percent of women over twenty-five develop mild acne. The disease is also sometimes found in newborns.
Acne is a disease of the sebaceous (pronounced see-BAY-shus) glands. These glands lie just beneath the surface of the skin. They produce an oil called sebum, which keeps the skin moist. At puberty, a person's body may begin to produce an excess of sebum. Puberty is the period of life when a person's sex hormones become active. The male sex hormone called androgen causes an over-production of sebum.
When excess sebum combines with dead skin, a hard plug, or comedo (pronounced KO-mee-do), is formed. The comedo can block skin pores. Two types of comedos can occur. They are known as whiteheads and blackheads.
More serious forms of acne develop when bacteria invade blocked pores. A pimple forms when sebum, bacteria, skin cells, and white blood cells are released into tissue around the pore. The pimple may then become inflamed. Inflamed pimples near the skin are called papules. Those that form deeper in the skin are called pustules. The most severe type of acne occurs when cysts (closed sacs) or nodules (hard swellings) form.
Acne often causes scarring of the skin. This occurs when new skin cells form to replace damaged cells. The new skin is usually not formed very easily, causing an unevenness that produces scars. Acne occurs most commonly on the face, chest, shoulders, and back because those are the places that sebaceous cells occur.
Acne: Words to Know
Androgen:
A male sex hormone found in both males and females.
Anti-androgen:
A drug that slows down the production of androgens.
Antibiotic:
A drug that kills bacteria.
Comedo:
A hard plug that develops in the pores of the skin composed of sebum and dead skin cells. The mildest form of acne.
Comedolytic:
Drugs that break up comedos and open clogged pores.
Isotretinoin:
A drug that decreases sebum production and dries up acne pimples.
Sebum:
An oily material produced by sebaceous glands that keeps the skin moist.
Tretinoin:
A drug that increases the rate at which skin cells are formed and die.
CAUSES
The exact cause of acne is not known, however, several risk factors have been identified.
Age. Because of the effect of sex hormones, teenagers are quite likely to develop acne.
Cosmetics. Make-up and hair sprays that contain oils can make acne worse.
Diet. Acne is not caused by diet, but some foods can make the disease more serious.
Disease. Hormonal disorders can increase the severity of acne problems in girls.
Drugs. Acne can develop as a result of using certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and anabolic steroids. Steroids are synthetic hormones that may sometimes be abused by athletes to increase the size of their muscles.
Environment. Acne can become worse as a result of exposure to oils, greases, and polluted air.
weating in hot weather can also make the condition worse.
Gender. Boys are more likely to develop acne and tend to have more serious cases than girls.
Heredity. Acne is more common in some families than in others.
Hormonal changes. Acne can flare up during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Menopause is the period in a woman's life when her body stops producing certain hormones.
Personal hygiene. Strong soaps, hard scrubbing, and picking at pimples can make acne worse.
Stress. Emotional stress can contribute to acne.
SYMPTOMS
Acne is often not apparent to an observer. Inflamed pores, however, can cause pain or itching. The most troubling aspect of acne for many people is the scarring that can occur. And, while acne may not be very noticeable, individuals tend to be sensitive about their appearance. Teenagers especially may become concerned about the way other people react to them.
DIAGNOSIS
People with acne are often treated by family doctors. More serious cases are referred to a dermatologist (a specialist in
~~~~~~~~~~~~
ACNE
~~~~~
DEFINITION
Acne is a common skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
DESCRIPTION
The medical term for acne is acne vulgaris. It is the most common of all skin diseases, affecting about seventeen million Americans. Acne can occur at any age, but it is most common among adolescents. Nearly 85 percent of people between the ages of twelve and twenty-five develop acne. Up to 20 percent of women over twenty-five develop mild acne. The disease is also sometimes found in newborns.
Acne is a disease of the sebaceous (pronounced see-BAY-shus) glands. These glands lie just beneath the surface of the skin. They produce an oil called sebum, which keeps the skin moist. At puberty, a person's body may begin to produce an excess of sebum. Puberty is the period of life when a person's sex hormones become active. The male sex hormone called androgen causes an over-production of sebum.
When excess sebum combines with dead skin, a hard plug, or comedo (pronounced KO-mee-do), is formed. The comedo can block skin pores. Two types of comedos can occur. They are known as whiteheads and blackheads.
More serious forms of acne develop when bacteria invade blocked pores. A pimple forms when sebum, bacteria, skin cells, and white blood cells are released into tissue around the pore. The pimple may then become inflamed. Inflamed pimples near the skin are called papules. Those that form deeper in the skin are called pustules. The most severe type of acne occurs when cysts (closed sacs) or nodules (hard swellings) form.
Acne often causes scarring of the skin. This occurs when new skin cells form to replace damaged cells. The new skin is usually not formed very easily, causing an unevenness that produces scars. Acne occurs most commonly on the face, chest, shoulders, and back because those are the places that sebaceous cells occur.
Acne: Words to Know
Androgen:
A male sex hormone found in both males and females.
Anti-androgen:
A drug that slows down the production of androgens.
Antibiotic:
A drug that kills bacteria.
Comedo:
A hard plug that develops in the pores of the skin composed of sebum and dead skin cells. The mildest form of acne.
Comedolytic:
Drugs that break up comedos and open clogged pores.
Isotretinoin:
A drug that decreases sebum production and dries up acne pimples.
Sebum:
An oily material produced by sebaceous glands that keeps the skin moist.
Tretinoin:
A drug that increases the rate at which skin cells are formed and die.
CAUSES
The exact cause of acne is not known, however, several risk factors have been identified.
Age. Because of the effect of sex hormones, teenagers are quite likely to develop acne.
Cosmetics. Make-up and hair sprays that contain oils can make acne worse.
Diet. Acne is not caused by diet, but some foods can make the disease more serious.
Disease. Hormonal disorders can increase the severity of acne problems in girls.
Drugs. Acne can develop as a result of using certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and anabolic steroids. Steroids are synthetic hormones that may sometimes be abused by athletes to increase the size of their muscles.
Environment. Acne can become worse as a result of exposure to oils, greases, and polluted air.
weating in hot weather can also make the condition worse.
Gender. Boys are more likely to develop acne and tend to have more serious cases than girls.
Heredity. Acne is more common in some families than in others.
Hormonal changes. Acne can flare up during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Menopause is the period in a woman's life when her body stops producing certain hormones.
Personal hygiene. Strong soaps, hard scrubbing, and picking at pimples can make acne worse.
Stress. Emotional stress can contribute to acne.
SYMPTOMS
Acne is often not apparent to an observer. Inflamed pores, however, can cause pain or itching. The most troubling aspect of acne for many people is the scarring that can occur. And, while acne may not be very noticeable, individuals tend to be sensitive about their appearance. Teenagers especially may become concerned about the way other people react to them.
DIAGNOSIS
People with acne are often treated by family doctors. More serious cases are referred to a dermatologist (a specialist in
[PG-13] Parents Strongly Cautioned
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