General Info About Acne / Pimples

Acne known as pimples is a common disorder developed in teenagers and at times in young adults due to the inflammation of skin, as superficial skin eruption caused by the blockage of skin pores.

Usually acne appears on the face but can extend to neck, chest and back also.

Know Your Skin

What are the causes of Acne?

During adolescence, there is a sudden spurt in the secretion of sex hormones that cause increased formation of oils (sebum) from the sebaceous glands of the skin.
Sebaceous glands are secretory glands that open into hair follicles and skin pores. There is accumulation of oily secretions from the sebaceous glands due to blockage of the external pores in the skin. Consequently, the oils and dead skin cells are trapped, and form small "plugs" known as "comedones" within the hair follicles of the skin. Bacteria act on these plugs aggrevating the infection and causes the inflammation of the skin eruptions.

The plug causes the hair follicle to bulge causing white heads and if the top of the plug is darkened, it becomes blackheads. If the plug causes the wall of the follicle to rupture, the oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria found normally on the surface of the skin can enter the skin and form small infected areas called pustules also known as pimples or "zits",


Family history of acne can also contribute to the development of acne.
Other hormonal changes, can occur with menstrual periods, pregnancy, use of birth control pills, or stress and can aggravate acne.

What are the symptoms of Acne?

• Acne appears as rash on the face or neck. This rash canbecome a red and painful pustule.

• Presence of white heads and black heads can also lead toinflammation. Inflammation can be formed around the skinlesions.
How can we diagnose Acne?

Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin. Normally no tests are required.

How can Acne be treated?

Prevention—Treatment is designed to prevent formation of new lesions and aid the healing of the old lesions.

Medicines—that dry up the oil or promote skin peeling is applied on the affected part of skin. Antibiotics are applied if the acne is
infected.

Surgical intervention—If the acne does not heal after a few days and produces cysts surgical intervention including professional (chemical) skin peeling, removal of eruptions, scars and removal or drainage of cysts is done.