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 Acne aka pimples is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. Acne is a
chronic disease that results in regular pimples.
How does
acne appear?
Depending
on the stage of development and other factors there are several types of acne:
comedo or acne comedonica - noninflammatory elements that come out due to plugging
of sebaceous glands ducts. The sebum is accumulated in the form of white knot
under the skin. Such knots appear 2 to 3 mm in diameter. When the sebum goes out and
is oxidized in air, blackheads or open comedo occur.
Acne
papulosa или papulopustulosa develop due to inflammation process around the
closed or open comedo. With obvious inflammation process such acne may leave
scar on the skin.
Acne indurativa
are characterized in inflammation process in the deep layers of skin that is
always followed by scars after the acne disappears. Acne indurativa are of
solid consistence, they bring to inflammation process and edema of surrounding
area.
Acne phlegmonosa
is caused by the prolonged progress in inflammation process and cavities in
skin full of pus. Such cavities (cysts) may merge with others and form cysts of
significant sizes. Acne indurativa and
Acne phlegmonosa are often called knotty-cystic acnes.
Acne conglobata
indicate to the severe course of the disease and presented by multiple knotty-cystic
acne on the face, upper back, chest and belly. Also it is typical for
appearance of large comedo areas that afterwards transform into knotty-cystic
acnes. Such acne may merge forming cavities with pus. As a rule, Acne
conglobata leave rough scars after, and sometimes they are colloid scars. As a
rule, Acne conglobata do not vanish after the puberty period and may appear on
the skin even up to 40-50 years old.
Acne
fulminans is the rare form of acne, and it appears mostly with men at the age
of 13-18 years along with the Acne papulosa and Acne conglobata. Quick process
includes occurrence of ulcerous surface at the acne place. And all this is
accompanied by high temperature, weakness, pain in the joints, in abdomen and
other symptoms that say about affection of the organism on the whole but not
the skin only.
Acne inverse
or hidradenitis suppurativa. Sudoriferous glands ducts may get squeezed after
the inflammatory reactions in hair follicle and sebaceous glands. And as a result,
the substance as one of the sweat component is accumulated in the skin. As a
result, there is inflammation process and occurrence of sinus tracts. Provoking
factors are excess weight, rubbing of clothes and itching in these places (axillas,
nipples, in the crotch, navel and others).
Do microbes
form acne and if they are contagious?
Severe
forms of acne (Acne conglobata, Acne phlegmonosa, Acne fulminans) relate to
penetration of microorganisms into the skin normally inhabitant with Propionebacterium
acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and other microorganisms either. Acne is
not contagious since several factors are required for acne to develop, while
microbial infection is the consequence of protection barriers break, and
appearance of selective medium (sebum).
Where does
acne appear?
Acne appears
in places where sebaceous glands are located. The areas with significant
quantity of sebaceous glands are the facial skin, upper part of thee chest and
back. Acne may appear in the other areas either, except for the skin of palms
and feet where exclusively sudoriferous glads present.
Why do they
appear?
Acne
appears as a result of impaired functioning of sebaceous glands. On one hand, this
impairment is related to the increased production of sebum, on the other hand
the plugging of excretory ducts of sebaceous glands by cosmetic means, dust or
other substances.
Factors
that bring to the increased secretion of sebum include:
-
Increased
activity of sebaceous glands at the age of 12 to 24 years old which is the
physiological process of seborrhea to go with the increased secretion of sebum
because of genetic factors with long application of corticosteroids and antiepileptic,
antituberculous drugs (Isoniazide, Ryfampicyne, Ethambutol), as well as with
application of azatioprine, cyclosporine А, chloral hydrate, lithium salts, iodine
preparations, chlorine, bromine and vitamins (especially - В1, B2, В6, В12,
D2).
- endocrine
diseases followed by raising of androgen level (for instance, polycystic ovary
that may be accompanied by hirsuties or hypertrichosis).
-
adrenal
and ovary tumors
The factors
that bring to plugging of sebaceous glands ducts mainly include cosmetic means
containing fat emulsions or oily substances - lanolin, vaseline, olive oil and
others. Normally preparations that bring exacerbation or appearance of acne
have signs «cоmedonogenic», and «non-cоmedonogenic» on those that do not bring
clotting of glands.
Why do
adults have acne?
Adults can
have acne after application of «comedo relieving» cosmetic means, and in
connection with endocrine diseases. If acne appears with adults over 25 years
old, it is an alarming sign and the reason to get thoroughly examined. Quite
often acne occurs with women at the age of 30-35 who actively start using
toning cosmetics. And acne appears as a result of permanent plugging of
sebaceous glands. And the longing to eliminate these effects by the thicker
layer of cream will result in worsening of acne.
What
flushes acne?
Besides of
abovementioned factors acne may be provoked by regular trauma of comedo («peeling»),
squeezing of acne, work at humid premises with high temperature (for example,
in the kitchen).
Does it
make sense to cure acne or they will go away?
As a rule, comedo
and acne papulosa do not leave scars on the skin that is why if you do not cure
it, your skin is not affected further. Papulopustular, phlegmonous, acne
conglobata leave scars on the skin that is very complicated to cure (dermabrasion,
chemical peeling, and laser peeling of the skin). Various types of pimples are
the particular stage of acne, so every consequent stage of acne is quite logical,
however it requires particular conditions. Acne papulosa do not necessarily
turn into acne conglobata, but if they do, they disappoint the acne bearer. In
any event, even with comedo it makes sense to apply cleansing lotions.
Is it
possible to squeeze acne?
It is not
recommended at all. In the event when acne if followed by infection the
squeezing brings to further progress of acne, at first, and, second, to
penetration of microbes into the blood flow. Since facial blood-vessel is
tightly connected with vessels of the brain, any traumatic manipulations with purulent
masses of skin just over the upper lip may bring to serious consequences,
including the death.
Do
contraceptives affect acne?
It is known
that estrogens reduce acne development while progesterone acts on the contrary.
Contraceptives containing only progesterone may bring to acute acne. If a woman
has more androgens in her organism, then prescription of contraceptives with
antiandrogen activity (Diane -35) will lead to reduction or vanishing of acne.
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