Acne: Causes and Symptoms

Acne: Causes and Symptoms
By Wolfdave

Around 80% of teenagers get Acne in some form; it can also affect adults too. The condition can be mild, moderate or severe. The symptoms usually appear in puberty and there are many misconceptions and myths about the causes and treatment of Acne.
This article will help you better understand the causes and symptoms.

Acne is the most common of all skin conditions. The symptoms are spots and painful bumps on the skin. Most noticeable on the face, but they can also appear on the shoulders and back and sometimes on the buttocks. Severe cases of Acne can cause permanent scarring, so you are advised to seek prompt professional medical treatment.

Acne is mostly caused by hormonal changes which cause the skin to react. The skin contains sebaceous glands just below the surface that are attached to hair follicles. These glands naturally release a substance called sebum to lubricate the hair and the skin to stop it drying out. During puberty the glands will produce an excess of sebum, this excess mixes with dead skin cells and can form a plug in the follicle. This will occur in both boys and girls.

In teenage cases of acne it is thought that increased levels of testosterone are the trigger for the condition. Testosterone plays an important role in the development of boys and girls during puberty. This increase results in the glands producing much more sebum than is actually needed.

The plugged follicle will then bulge, creating spots. Bacteria in the area can then multiply and lead to pain and swelling beneath the blockages, resulting in the formation of papules, nodules and cysts. A plugged follicle close to the surface of the skin will bulge outwards creating a whitehead. Or the plugged follicle can be open to the skin, resulting in a blackhead.

In adults, 80% of cases occur in women. Again, this is believed to be the result of changes in hormone levels that many women experience during certain times in their life. Acne can flare-up with some women just as their period is due. Some will also experience acne symptoms during early pregnancy. Acne symptoms can also be a side effect of some medications such as Steroids or Lithium. Stress can also make the condition worse.

These are the different kinds of spots:

Whiteheads are small hard bumps and have a white centre.
Blackheads are small with blocked pores.
Nodules are under the skin, they are usually hard and painful.
Pustules are spots with visible pus.
If the skin is red and swollen (inflammation) then this needs early medical treatment to prevent scarring.

It is recommended that you do not pick or squeeze your spots as this can cause irritation of the skin and may lead to scarring. Spots will go away eventually. Any redness of the skin however, may take several weeks or months to clear. Wash your face twice a day using a mild cleaner. Scrubbing or more frequent washing can make things worse by irritating the skin. Use an oil-free moisturiser morning and night.

Eating chocolate or greasy foods does not cause acne. However, for your general health, you should try to eat as healthily as possible. There is also no evidence that wearing make-up can cause spots. You should wash your hands before applying make-up and always remove it before bedtime.

Eventually, acne will clear up on its own, but this can sometimes take several years. Treatments are available to clear the condition more quickly. For mild cases, treatments can be obtained from a pharmacist; these can take several weeks or months to work. If these don’t help, treatments are available on prescription; you will need to see your Doctor who will advise you of your options.

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