Acne is a common skin condition that can be uncomfortable physically and emotionally
. For many people who have acne on their face the skin condition can adversely affect their self confidence and self-esteem.
Acne is commonly defined as an inflammation of the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are the hair follicles that are situated underneath the skin. These glands can produce large amounts of oil and when these glands become blocked pressure builds up causing infection and inflammation. The inflammation causes the glands to swell which is characterised by the red and pus filled blisters that appear around the face and neck area. These pus filled blisters can also appear on the back, chest and upper arms. These pus filled blisters will eventually subside however, in severe cases these can leave pot marked scars.
There are several types of acne that come in different levels of severity. The most severe type of this skin condition is acne conglobata. This type of acne is characterised by the large pus filled pustules that leave scars on the skin. Another type is of acne is actinic which is a rare form of the skin condition and can be caused by being exposed to direct sunlight.
The most common area of the body where acne appears is the face. However, it can also appear on the back and neck. The risk of scarring is determined by how severe the lesions are. In most cases acne will disappear. It usually appears at the onset of puberty which is why it is a common skin condition in teenagers. Over time it will gradually reduce and disappear completely around the early to mid twenties. Acne can affect both males and females equally.
Like many skin conditions it is difficult to pinpoint one specific cause of acne. In most cases in it can be a combination of a number of factors. As initially pointed out it can be caused by the excessive production of oil within the sebaceous glands. Increase in shedding of the skin or increase in bacteria due to hormonal changes can also be a cause.
Treatment for acne can be varied which can include creams, antibiotics and changes in diet.