Acne Vulgaris Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Overview

Acne, also referred to as acne vulgaris, maybe a long-term disease of the skin that happens when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog hair follicles. Typical features of the condition include blackheads or whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and possible scarring. The plugged follicle can become inflamed and have increased growth of normal skin bacteria, Propionic-bacterium acnes. Medications like lithium, cortisone, hormones, iodides, some seizure medications, or isoniazid also can cause acne lesions.

Genetics is the primary explanation for acne in 80% of cases. The role of diet and cigarette smoking is unclear, and neither cleanliness nor exposure to sunlight appears to play a neighborhood. In both sexes, hormones called androgens appear to be a part of the underlying mechanism, by causing increased production of sebum. Another common divisor is the excessive growth of the bacterium Cut bacterium acnes, which is present on the skin.

Causes of Acne Vulgaris

It’s important to not blame yourself for acne vulgaris. Those old familiar tales about greasy french-fried potatoes, chocolate, or dirty skin causing acne are largely false. Instead, what’s happening is complex. The oil glands at the ideas of the hair follicles in your skin are possibly overactive, usually thanks to hormonal changes. Pores become clogged and inflammation ensues.

This happens especially during puberty, which is why numerous teenagers experience acne outbreaks. But acne can happen at any age. Some women also experience acne outbreaks just before their period. Contraception pills may help manage this.

Signs and Symptoms Associated With Acne Vulgaris

Acne leads to a spread of lesions. The foremost common acne locations include the face, neck, chest, and back, where the foremost sebaceous glands are located. Along the jawline may be a common location in adults. “Blackheads” (open comedones) and “whiteheads” (closed comedones) are follicular plugs that are either sitting below the skin surface (whitehead) or oxidized from being exposed to the air (blackhead). Papules are small pink to reddish-brown bumps, pustules are pus-filled lesions, and nodules or cysts are deeper pus-filled lesions. Skin becomes red, warm and swollen due to inflammatory reactions underneath.

Types of Acne Vulgaris

1-Mild Acne

Mild acne vulgaris consists of a couple of papules/pustules or comedones.

2- Moderate Acne

Moderate acne has an increased number of lesions.

3- Severe Acne

Severe acne has numerous comedones, papules, pustules, and should have painful nodules. Acne may result in permanent scars, which may appear to be depressions within the skin or hyperpigmentation, which are red or brown flat marks where the acne lesions were.

How Acne Vulgaris Can Be Diagnosed Clinically?

Acne vulgaris is diagnosed supported by a medical professional’s clinical judgment. The evaluation of an individual with suspected acne should include:

taking an in-depth medical record a few case history of acne,
a review of medicines taken,
signs or symptoms of excessive production of androgen hormones, cortisol, and somatotropin.
Comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) must be present to diagnose acne. In their absence, an appearance almost like that of acne would suggest a special skin disease.
Microcomedones (the precursor to blackheads and whiteheads) aren’t visible to the eye when inspecting the skin and need a microscope to be seen.

Many features may indicate that an individual’s acne is sensitive to hormonal influences. Historical and physical clues which will suggest hormone-sensitive acne include onset between ages 20 and 30; worsening the week before a woman’s period; acne lesions predominantly over the jawline and chin; and inflammatory/nodular acne lesions.

Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

The doctor may suggest one treatment or a mixture, counting on the severity of your acne. Mild acne could also be ready to be treated with over-the-counter topical medicine in creams, gels, and washes with peroxide or 2-hydroxybenzoic acid.

Benzoyl peroxide targets the bacteria that cause acne and is contained in over-the-counter (OTC) acne products like PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash and Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser. 2-hydroxybenzoic acid works by easing inflammation and unclogging pores.4 It is often found in OTC brands like CeraVe 2-hydroxybenzoic acid Cleanser and Vichy Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel.

Retinoids are available over the counter also as via prescription (e.g., Differin). they assist to interrupt up whiteheads and blackheads, also as prevent blocked pores.
Moderate acne is usually treated with oral antibiotics, including doxycycline, minocycline, azithromycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Your doctor may suggest you employ one among these with a topical treatment for about 12 weeks, then stop the oral medication to ascertain.

Severe acne could also be treated with antibiotics and topical medication. If these medications aren’t successful in treating your acne, your doctor may suggest the oral drug Zenatane (isotretinoin). This drug can cause birth defects so women taking it must use a minimum of two sorts of contraception. Other serious side effects may occur, like depression and severe stomach pain, so ask your doctor about the pros and cons of using this medication.