What experts say about acne infection
Regardless of a person’s age, there are various skin disorders which can make life extremely difficult. One of such skin disorders is acne. Acne has been defined as the inflammation of the sebaceous glands (oil glands) which have surrounded the fine hairs on the chest and face.
It is very common during the early stages of puberty, and it peaks at the ages of 17 to 19 years. When teenagers reach their mid-twenties, acne would have disappeared. However, it may fail to disappear in some cases until people reach their 40s.
Causes of acne
Caused by the excess androgens (male sex hormones) in both girls and boys resulting in the sebaceous glands producing more sebum. It is the sebum that narrows the sebaceous glands’ openings. The increased production of the sebum provides a conducive environment for a bacterium called
Propionibacterium acnes to grow. When this bacterium produces waste and fatty acids, the sebaceous glands are irritated resulting in inflammation. This inflammation is now the pimples we see.
Acne is also caused by changes in the hormones during menstrual periods or pregnancy. Irritants aggregate this in the environment like cold, humidity, excessive heat and pollution.
Symptoms of acne
The severity of acne makes the symptoms vary from one person to another. However, the common symptoms are:
- Small bumps (papules) which are red and tender
- Pimples that have pus
- White and blackheads spots
- Nodules. These are painful lumps below the superficial to the skin. They are large and solid.
- Cystic lesions. These are lumps full of pus and which are very painful.
The following can make acne unbearable:
- Environment conditions that are damp. Grease, oil, etc. can cause the dampness.
- Picking or squeezing the pimples
- Some medications and skin care products
- In other cases, dairy products
- Menstruation
What to do when at home?
Washing the face at least two times a day using a cleanser. Avoiding scrubbing it as this will worsen the acne. Further to this, always use a moisturizer that is water-based. Avoiding having hairstyles that make hair to come in contact with the face. This is to prevent irritation of the face by the hair.
Not picking at or squeezing the pimples. The scarring of the pimples will only make the situation worse. Exposing of the skin to extreme cold, sunlight and heat should be avoided. Overexposure of the skin to the sun may lead to skin cancer. Always choose a diet that is not only sensible but also varied. Add a lot of water and make sure that exercising is done regularly. If you have mild acne, consult your pharmacist for medications that are typically administered over the counter. Acne may not be cleared overnight and might take time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, acne remains one of the serious skin conditions. The frequency of attack on teenagers calls for the need to focus on the preventative rather curative measures.