Posts Tagged ‘Acne’
Acne – No One Is Immune
Acne is most often associated with adolescence, when pimples destroy a teenager’s self-confidence. But, here’s a health quick tip for you. Skin doesn’t magically clear up on the 18th birthday–in fact, adults account for about 20 percent of acne cases.
In fact, even infants aren’t immune to acne. A bumpy red rash over the scalp, face, and shoulders may appear as hormones are generated during the first weeks of life. Baby acne is harmless, short-lived, and requires no special treatment.
Though acne has been blamed on diet, poor hygiene, and even sexual activity (or lack thereof), the most common causes are heredity and hormones.
During puberty, the body produces a surge of androgens (male sex hormones) in both boys and girls. This prompts an overproduction of sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin, and keratin, a hair protein, which plug pores on the face, neck, chest, and back, making bacteria multiply. The most common result is called acne vulgaris: blackheads (dark spots with open pores at the center), whiteheads (bulging spots above the skin), and pustules (red, pus-filled bumps). More severe cystic acne–clusters of possibly painful lumps beneath the skin–is most likely to cause scarring.
Women in their 30s and older are more likely than men to be plagued by flare-ups, usually due to hormonal changes linked to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Acne may not be completely preventable, but fortunately, it usually is controllable. Acne is more of a cosmetic concern than a medical one, but the embarrassment often caused by more severe cases can make treatment worthwhile.
To help keep oil buildup at bay, wash your face gently twice daily. Resist the urge to pick or pop pimples, which can lead to inflammation and scarring. Although most dermatologists agree that chocolate, greasy foods, and sweets don’t actually cause acne, your skin–like the rest of your body–does benefit from a balanced diet. Plenty of produce, whole grains, beans, and lean meats assures a good supply of nutrients essential to healthy skin.
A dermatologist’s arsenal of acne fighters may include tretinoin, a topical medication derived from vitamin A, and tetracycline, an antibiotic. Home remedies include blotting acne-prone skin with witch hazel or tea tree oil. Researchers have found that a 5% tea tree oil gel worked as well as 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, but you should also look to dietary, and other herbal measures to help control outbreaks, reduce inflammation, and fight infections.