Acne is a skin problem characterized by the appearance of spots on several parts of in the body, such as face, neck, back, and chest. The spots can range from mild ones, such as blackheads, to severe spots containing pus and cysts. Usually the spots are considered severe will leave a scar.
In addition to being characterized by symptoms such as oily skin and the appearance of spots, sometimes acne also causes the skin to feel hot and sore to the touch. There are some parts of the body that are usually overgrown with acne and the most common is the face. Acne is a common condition, meaning that most people have experienced it.
Most cases of acne occur in someone under the age of 28 years. Especially for teenagers, they are very susceptible to acne at the age of 14-19 years.
Although acne can disappear by itself with age, but in some cases, there are still acne problems in the mid-20s. Women in their 20s are five times more likely to experience it than men in their 20s.
Factors causing acne
Acne can appear at any age, but changes in hormone levels during puberty are often associated with the causes . These hormonal changes affect the oil producing glands or sebum that is located close to the hair follicles in the skin.
Increased activity of this gland causes the production of sebum in the face also increases. So this pile of sebum will join the dirt and dead skin cells, then clog the pores.
At the time of clogged pores and with abundance of sebum on the surface of the skin, a bacterium called Propionobacterium acnes develops rapidly. This bacterium is a cause of acne bacteria. Propionobacterium acnes releases a kind of irritant substance that will irritate the skin. Effects of this irritation that causes skin reddening and swollen, besides it also causes the emergence of pus behind the skin.
The inner layer of the hair follicle also thickens due to changes in hormone levels and causes clogged skin pores. The blockage of these pores will not disappear, even though the skin has been cleansed.
In addition to puberty, acne can also be experienced by women due to hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Acne is also known to be heredity. Most likely someone will have acne if both parents get acne as well.
Until now is no evidence that acne is caused by sexual activity, food, or poor hygiene.
Diagnosis of acne
Doctors are usually able to diagnose acne just by looking at the skin of the patient directly. Through examination, the doctor can determine the type of acne that grows and measure the severity (inflammation and the amount of acne). After the diagnosis is done, then the handling plan can be made (To heal).
The right action is done if you it has acne
It is important to maintain skin hygiene in acne areas, although it will not prevent the appearance of new acne. Wash the area twice a day using a cleanser or face soap. In order not to get irritated, do not rub the skin face or around the other too hard.
Now most of the moisturizer products have been through the testing phase so as not to cause blackheads or acne. Use a moisturizer if your skin is dry and avoid wearing beauty products that can clog the pores of the skin.
Although acne can not be cured, but can still be controlled through treatment . Drugs gel, moisturizer, and cream is now widely available in pharmacies. If you have acne, it's good to consult a doctor, especially if the use of over-the-counter medicines does not work out or even cause side effects such as:
- Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue.
- Sore throat and shortness of breath.
- Fainting.
Generally, doctors recommend the use of products containing low concentrations of benzoyl peroxide. But you must be careful in using it as the industry, the concentrate is also used as a laundry bleach.
You may need use stronger antibiotics or creams if your acne is severe and occurs in a number of body parts, such as the chest and back. Remember that the use of these drugs should still be prescribed by a doctor.
Complications of acne
Ask your doctor if acne growth getting worse. If severe acne is not treated immediately, it is feared could cause complications of scarring. In addition, it is advisable to see a doctor if the drug used can not control the growth of acne that makes you not confident and depressed .