Acne: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Everyone has had acne once in their life! No matter if your first pimple popped in high school or into your adult life, it is important to find out the reason and get treated. In the time of Covid-19, “mask-acne” came out as a new concern especially for the people with oily skin. Wearing a mask for long hours may have effects of friction on skin. Generally, ‘Acne’ is a broad term for an inflammation of the skin causing different types of breakouts such as blackheads, white heads, red spots or pimples. Mostly acne affects adolescents as their body experiences various hormonal changes. In adults, an unbalanced lifestyle and high stress levels lead to several skin problems. However, one must know their skin type and practice a healthy skin regime to avoid unnecessary breakouts. Symptoms Experiencing acne is a little overwhelming! One can develop any types of breakout or a combination on their skin; Whiteheads (Closed clogged pores) Blackheads (Open clogged pores) Papules (Small red, tender bumps) Pimples (Papules with pus at their tips) Painful nodules (Large, solid, lumps under the skin) Cystic lesions (Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin) Usually acne appears on the face, forehead, upper back, shoulder, and chest. Often the scarring or deep acne occurs on the back and chest and is a bit difficult to treat. Deep acne (pustules or cysts) can appear anywhere on the skin’s surface. After examination, your doctor may detect the layers of the skin affected from the acne. If you burst these cystic or pus-filled acne it will release infection causing more lesions. Mostly, deep acne has a likelihood of developing scarring afterwards. Scarring is more common in men because deep acne affects more men than women. Causes Bacterial infection, uncontrollable shedding of hair follicles, excess oil production, or secretion of androgynous hormones such as testosterone aggravate acne. Sometimes, age, genetics, friction against the skin or certain medications triggers androgen hormones resulting in acne. Certain factors that can cause acne; · Fluctuating hormone levels at Puberty · Menopause in women · Touching or picking acne sores · Excess intake of oily or fatty food · Use of heavy lotions or creams · Exposure to industrial chemicals · Skin contact with certain sports equipment · Clothes or headgears (such as helmets, hats) · Pollution · Weather conditions (high humidity) · Genetics · Corticosteroid medications · Stress (it can increase the cortisol hormone causing acne). Chocolate or junk food has nothing to do with acne, it’s a deep-rooted misconception which one doesn’t need to pay attention to. Similarly, the tendency of greasy hairs or skin cannot cause acne but it definitely signifies overactive sebaceous glands, which can indicate the risk of developing acne. Also, emotional stress may worsen existing acne, but it cannot be the reason behind the new breakouts! Diagnosis A simple physical examination is enough for the dermatologist to identify spots or acne scars. Your dermatologist may ask a few questions associated with medical or personal history to rule out the cause of breakouts. You might be asked to stop using certain cosmetics or medications that aren’t best for your skin. Treatment There is no sure shot cure for acne! Many treatment procedures can prevent or control the new breakouts and help to get rid of old scarring. According to experts, a good skin care regime is the best way to treat mild acne or occasional pimples. However, for persistent acne problems one needs medical supervision to know the severity of the skin condition. Here are some effective ways to treat common acne issues; 1. Prescription-Strength Products Often, medicated ointments, creams, and lotions act as an effective anti-acne treatment giving positive outcomes. Some of the options your dermatologist may suggest; • Topical antibiotics (Benzaclin Pump, BenzaClin, Duac, and Acanya) • Retinoids (Differin and Tazorac) • Oral antibiotics • Topical anti-hormonal medications for women • Oral anti-hormonal medications for women • Injections of a corticosteroid 2. Dermatology Procedures Nowadays, various advanced treatment methods including laser resurfacing therapy or chemical peel, extraction of cystic acne or pimples, steroid injections, or light therapy are performed by the specialized dermatologist. These treatments are performed based on your skin type and its acne issues. However, one must discuss the risk and preventive methods for the successful outcome before going for these procedures. Final Thought Consistency is the key for treating acne. Best dermatology hospital in noida will guide you towards the right treatment after observing the skin type. One should not stop treating acne on its own otherwise the risk of having extended breakouts will continue leaving scars to the skin. As we know many factors contribute towards the development of acne, it is advisable to control symptoms on time.