Acne

How does face acne start?

Symptoms and severity of acne vary from person to person. The most common symptoms of acne are,

•  Pimples (also known as pustules )
• Whiteheads (In whiteheads, pores of our skin are clogged)
• Blackheads (In blackheads, pores of our skin are open)
• Cystic lesions ( In this, pus-filled lesions are formed under the skin)
• Hard lesion without pus are also formed under the skin
•  Red bumps
• Inflammatory papules
• Nodules
• Erythema

What is the main cause of acne?

There are different causes of acne. The most common causes are genetic predisposition, local cosmetic agents, and some bacterial infections. Acne mostly occurs on your face, chest, shoulders, and forehead. There is a large amount of oil glands (sebaceous) in these areas of your body. Acne occurs due to the overactivity of these oil glands. Hair follicles are in connection with these glands. When hair follicles are inflamed they produce a whitehead. If the pore is open and darker then they produce a blackhead. In blackheads, the open pore is filled with oil or bacteria. When the blackhead is exposed to the air, then its color changes to brown. Another major cause of acne is hormonal disturbances. During puberty, the level of androgen hormones may increase in your body and provoke acne. Some medicines like steroids are the reason behind acne. Dieting can also worsen acne symptoms. Stress plays a vital role in your acne. If you are suffering from acne then stress can worsen it to the next level.  

How can I treat my acne?

An effective treatment plan is made depending on the etiology and severity of your problem. In some cases, doctors prefer symptomatic treatments. Doctors prescribe retinoids(topical ointment) for inflammation and lesions. It is a first-line therapy and is applied on clear and dry skin. In case of bacterial infections, doctors can also prescribe topical antibiotics. These antibiotics also have anti-inflammatory properties. Topical antibiotics include clindamycin, erythromycin, minocycline, dapsone, and benzoyl peroxide. Doctors can also prescribe oral antibiotics like trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, and azithromycin. In case of hormonal disturbances, there are different hormonal therapies. Estrogen is an effective medicine and decreases the production of sebum.