Acne Vulgaris

1. Why I have got this problem and what causes it?

2. Is this problem recurring again after the treatment?

3. Is this problem related to food? Dirt? Cosmetics? Hormones? Drugs? Pressure? Occupation? Stress?

4. Is this leaving marks after healing?

5. I have got allergy over my face but my dermatologist called it acne or pimples, but my age is 40yrs, how come it is possible, acne is meant especially for teenagers? 

Answer

1. Acne or pimples happens when oil (sebaceous glands) glands come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oil is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria, (which live in everyone’s skin and generally cause no problems), to multiply and causes surrounding tissues to become inflamed.

If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it’s deeper, a papule; deeper still and it’s a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a ‘white head’. If the oil becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a ‘blackhead’.

2. Yes, of course, the common tendency of acne is between the ages of 14-25. Some times it worsens much so that treatment is necessary; to avoid pigmentation and scars, if it worsens again you have to take treatment.

3. throughout the world, parents tells teen to avoid fast food, chocolates, junk food and greasy and fried food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don’t cause acne or make it worse.

Some individuals have more ‘oily skin’ then others, if they will expose to excessive dirt, smoke etc. their acne aggravates. Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin. Most cosmetic and skin care products are not pore clogging(‘comedogenic’) of the many available brands, those which are listed as ‘water-based’ or ‘oil-free’ are generally a better choice.

Some women break out cyclically, but most women don’t. some oral contraceptive pills may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it’s unlikely that hormones play much of a role in causing acne.

Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisolone or the steroids body builders or athletes take)

Most cases of acne, however, are not drug-related.

In some pts, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, and the like can aggravate acne.

In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.

Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer, stress, however, do not play much of a direct role in causing acne.

4. Some pts according to their skin type prone for post inflammatory hyper- pigmentation, yes, in such pts they leave marks which lasts for a year or so.

5. Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid-to-late 20’s, even if they have not had breakouts in year (or ever). These blemishes occur wherever there are many oil glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.