Acne: Types, Symptoms, Medication and Preventions

Acne is a chronic, fiery skin condition that happens when your hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin cells which causes spots, pimples, blisters, whiteheads, clogged pores especially on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms, etc.

It mostly affects Adolescents during puberty because of hormonal changes. However, it can upset at any age. The prior you begin treatment, the lower will be the risk. Acne Scars can cause emotional distress, an individual can go for acne scar removal treatment to get rid of acne scars.

The clogged pores can cause acne as sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands) connected to pores and secrete oil that naturally hydrates skin.

When this gland produces an excess of oil, dead skin cells and debris can fuse with the oil and develop skin breakouts. This condition turns into a ground for bacteria, that causes the redness and swelling associated with skin breakouts likely to cause pain if touched, keeping hands away from them can prevent it from spreading.

Symptoms

Acne signs and symptoms may vary depending on the severity of your skin condition:

• Whiteheads are tiny white bumps that have closed clogged pores
• Blackheads with open pores at center
• Papules small red, tender bumps filled with pus
• Pimples are small hard inflamed spots on the skin
• Pus-filled lumps or nodules under the surface of the skin

Types

The following are common types of acne:

• Acne vulgaris is a skin disease that occurs when hair follicles get clogged with dead skin cells and oil.
• Papules are small red bumps on the skin.
• Nodules are painful lump that contains pus.
• Cystic acne is a large lump found under the skin and contains pus and is painful.
• Whiteheads are tiny white bumps that have closed clogged pores
• Blackheads with open pores at center

Treatment

To figure out the best acne treatment it is very important to understand the acne meaning, its severity, and the acne causes. If you have mild acne and occasional breakouts, you may self-diagnose your skin and use the right acne cream, acne face wash, acne gel, and any other products, home remedies and follow a proper acne treatment routine.

If you have used over-the-counter acne products for several weeks and it hasn’t helped and made your acne worse, consult a dermatologist to avoid acne scars or any damage to your skin and to make acne scars less visible.

At the time of skin Consultation, the Dermatologist will closely exam the acne and might question about medical history, past acne breakouts and women will be asked about the menstrual cycles to determine if hormones are playing a significant impact on acne. Though the treatment will depend on age, the type, and severity of acne.

The symptoms and observations made during the exam might show the health issues that require different treatment plans. A doctor or dermatologist may run multiple tests to identify the disease or illness that could be the root cause of skin infection. It is advised that pregnant women shouldn’t use oral prescription medication for acne.

Consult your dermatologist to know the acne causes, risks, and benefits of the medication and the treatment.

Risk Factors

Age

Acne can occur to people irrespective of their age group

Hormonal changes

It is common in women, children, girls caused by puberty or pregnancy.

Hereditary

Family History plays a vital role in acne. If both parents have acne, they are a high chance to develop it.

Greasy or oily substances

There are high chances of developing acne if skin comes into contact with oily lotion and cream.

Friction or pressure on the skin

Pressure or friction to acne-prone skin causes infection Eg: contact with phones, helmets, tight collars, etc.

Stress

Stress may not cause acne, but if a person is already suffering from acne, it may get worse.

Medication

These are the most commonly prescribed medications for Acne:

Retinoids and retinoid-like drugs

It mostly comes as an acne cream, gels, and lotions. This can be applied in the evening, beginning three times a week, then daily as skin becomes used to it. It prevents by plugging of the hair follicles.

Antibiotics

For severe to moderate acne treatment it works by killing bacteria and reducing redness. For the initial months of treatment, you can use both a retinoid and an antibiotic, with the antibiotic applied in the morning and the retinoid in the evening. The antibiotics are mostly combined with benzoyl peroxide to prevent the likelihood of developing antibiotic resistance. Example: Clindamycin with Benzoyl peroxide Benzaclin, Duac, Acanya and Erythromycin with Benzoyl peroxide (Benzamycin). Topical antibiotics alone are not recommended.

Salicylic acid and azelaic acid

Its antibacterial properties make it the most effective treatment for acne without causing damage to the skin. It also reduces redness and calms skin inflammation as pores open up and clear out. Salicylic acid helps to prevent plugged hair follicles and is available as both wash-off and leave-on products. It can be used twice a day for at least four weeks.

Dapsone

Dapsone (Aczone) 5 percent gel twice a day daily is recommended for acne infection, especially in adult females with acne. The side effects may include redness and dryness.

Benzoyl Peroxide

For mild acne, the doctor may recommend a nonprescription drug that contains benzoyl peroxide. It is believed that it kills bacteria associated with acne. It mostly takes at least four weeks to treat acne and should be used continuously.

Therapies

These therapies might be suitable in suggested in a few selected cases, either alone or it may be combined with medications.

Lasers and photodynamic therapy

This is a light-based therapy that has been tried with some success. However, further study is needed to find the ideal method, light source, and dose.

Chemical peel

This procedure includes repeated applications of a chemical solution, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinoic acid. However, improvement in acne is not long-lasting and may appear again which leads to repeat treatment.

Extraction of whiteheads and blackheads

The doctor might use special tools to gently remove whiteheads and blackheads that haven’t cleared up with topical medications. This technique may lead to a scar.

Steroid injection

Nodular and cystic lesions are treated by injecting a steroid drug directly into them. This therapy resulted in rapid improvement and less pain. Side effects may include thinning in the treated area.

Preventions

Acne prevention plays a crucial role in reducing acne by following good basic skincare, and other self-care techniques to get clear and healthy skin:

• Use a mild cleanser twice a day to get rid of excess oil, dirt, and dead cells.
• Try over-the-counter acne products containing (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids) to get rid of excess oil and promote peeling.
• Avoid oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreen, and concealer, etc.Protect your skin from the sun.
• Avoid pressure or friction to acne-prone skin Eg: contact with phones, helmet, tight collars, etc.
• Refrain touching the acne-prone area as it can lead to more infection.
• Avoid picking, squeezing, or popping pimples. It can lead to scarring and skin infection.
• Remove makeup before sleeping.
• Drink more water.
• Avoid Oily Food.
• Keep your hair oil-free and clean as possible and never sleep with oil on your hair.

Home Remedies

• Apple Cider Vinegar can be applied to affected skin as fights many types of bacteria and acne.
• Tea Tree oil for acne treatment has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the redness of pimples and kill and the bacteria that cause acne.
• Jojoba Oil, the sticky substance in jojoba oil help to repair damaged skin and speed up healing wound including acne.
• Aloe vera has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the appearance of acne and prevent acne breakouts.
• Honey is used to treat skin infections such as acne as it comprises many antioxidants that help to clear dirt and debris from clogged pores.
• Green Tea has the antioxidant property that breaks down chemicals and waste products that can damage healthy cells and clear dirt and debris that have built up across acne sores.
• Coconut Oil is an anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compound that destroys acne-causing anti bacteria compounds.

Facts and Myths on Acne

Facts on Acne:

• Acne is a skin infection that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles.
• Acne can occur at any age.
• Acne is not a fatal disease but can leave a scar on the skin.
• Treatment depends on the severity of the disease.
• Risk factors involve genetics. The menstrual cycle, stress, and anxiety, climates, using oil-based makeup, and squeezing pimples.
• Acne-prone skin needs moisturizing.
• Squeezing or Popping acne can worsen the skin condition.
• Steroid Injections are used to treat stubborn, large acne cysts.

Myths on Acne

• Adults don’t get acne is not at all true as acne can occur at any age irrespective of age group.
• Avoiding using Abrasive Products is a myth. Usage of abrasive products is good for oily skin to exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin.
• Acne affects women more than men.
• Acne is Contagious is a myth. However, it cannot spread from person to person.
• Makeup can worsen acne is so untrue. Most people conceal their spots using makeup as it provides them self-confidence. However, it is important to choose the right products for oily and blemish-prone skin.

Frequently Asked Questions