What is acne?
Acne is a very common skin disease that usually appears during adolescence or young adulthood in 85% of cases. It is characterized by the appearance of blackheads (pimples). These pimples are formed because the hair follicles under the skin are clogged, so they become inflamed and an infection of the follicular pore occurs.
Although acne can affect anyone, it usually affects mainly adolescents and young adults, as mentioned above. There are some special forms of acne, such as occupational acne, which can affect adults who are exposed to certain industrial products. There can also be acne in newborns or drug-induced acne, which is suffered by people who take certain medications such as oral corticosteroids.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of acne can manifest themselves in different ways. In fact, some patients may suffer from several of these symptoms. Among the main symptoms are
- Cysts
- Crusts with rashes on the skin
- Pustules
- Acne scars
- Redness around skin eruptions
- Blackheads
- Small, red bumps
Causes of acne or why it occurs
The exact cause of why acne occurs is unknown, although in most cases it is related to hormonal changes, such as those that occur during adolescence, menstruation, or pregnancy. Other causes may be that the glands secrete excessive sebum, the use of some cosmetics and products for oily hair, the administration of some drugs and excessive sweating.
It is sometimes claimed that chocolate or fatty foods can cause acne, but there is no evidence to prove it. Stress does not cause acne, but it can make it worse.
Can it be prevented?
Although there is no way to prevent acne, certain skin care measures can be taken to reduce the number and severity of lesions. The main thing is to wash the skin daily to avoid excess oil and remove dead skin cells. Once the first symptoms are detected, hygiene products, moisturizing and appropriate treatments should be used.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for acne depends on the extent of the disease and the severity of the lesions. Specialists advise starting treatment early to try to avoid possible scarring.
Treatment can be based on medication and/or creams, but laser treatment for acne scars can also be used.