What really is Acne?

Acne refers to deep lumps, pimples and plugged pores (white heads and blackheads) that are usually seen on peoples necks chests, face, upper arms and shoulders. The condition is known to affect teenagers mostly but is not restricted to this particular age group as adults who are well into their 20s and 40s can get the condition. Acne can be a disfiguring and upsetting condition but it is not fatal. When the condition is severe the patient may end up getting permanent scars. Sometimes people with less severe cases get scars as well.

Acne is caused by a number of factors that toil together resulting in the condition. The overactive oil glands known in other quarters as sebaceous glands cause the condition by enlarging and overproducing oil during puberty and stressful times. The oil produced by the sebaceous glands often gets trapped in clogged pores of the skin and this results in white heads and blackheads. Bacteria on their own are not cause for the condition but they are known to worsen the condition by growing in clogged pores. The bacterium worsens the situation by changing the composition of the oil using the chemicals it produces which in turn leads to skin irritation and ultimately inflammation arises.

Among the characteristics of inflamed skin with acne are warmth, redness, swelling and discomfort. Inflammation occurs when the skin struggles to get rid of bacteria. A common type of acne is the lesion which is basically a change of the bodys tissue and is quite visible. Lesions are caused by injury or disease and occur internally and externally. Other examples of the external lesions are caused by cancer, psoriatic plaque, skin cancer and knife cut and internal ones are like lung cancer, atherosclerosis and liver cirrhosis.

Some of the common types of acne result as a form of lesions. A papule is a 5 millimeter solid lesion on top of the skin and has sandpaper feel. The pustule on the other hand is a lesion that is dome-shaped and contains pus that consists of bacteria, dead skin cells and white blood cells. The macule is an impermanent, red, flat spot that usually remains after a lesion is healed and can persist for weeks or days. The nodule is also dome shaped and is usually inflamed.

Cysts are a type of acne that resemble sacs and contain liquid and semi liquid substances which have dead cells, white blood cells and bacteria inside them. Compared to pustules, cysts are bigger and more inflamed. Cysts penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, cause scars and are very painful. A patient with acne can use treatments such as oral retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal treatments among others.