Acne is a skin condition that happens when follicles of hair becomes plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne usually appears on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Pimples and bumps can heal slowly and when one begins to disappear, another one will begin to develop. Depending on the severity, acne can cause emotional pain and cause scarring on the skin.
Symptoms of acne
- Blackheads which are open plugged pores where the oil turns to brownish color when exposed to air
- Whiteheads which are closed plugged pores
- Pimples or pustules which are papules with a pus found at their tips
- Small red and tender bumps or papules
- Painful lumps that are filled with pus forms beneath the surface of the skin. These are also known as cystic lesions.
- Symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, faintness, swelling of the eyes, lips, face and tongue as well as tightness of the throat requires medical care.
Causes of acne
There are four main factors that cause acne – dead skin cells, oil production, pores that are clogged and bacteria. Acne usually happens in the face, neck, chest and shoulders, and these areas have plenty of oil or sebaceous glands. Acne happens when follicles of hair becomes plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
When the body produces an excessive amount of sebum and dead skin cells, these two can build up in the hair follicles and forms a small soft plug where some bacteria can live. This clogged pored will become infected with bacteria and will cause inflammation.
The plugged pore causes the walls of the follicle to swell and will produce a whitehead or the plug can open to the surface and can darken and will result to a blackhead that looks like a dirt that is stuck in pores, but this pore is congested with bacteria and oil which turns into brown when it is exposed to the air.
Pimples are raised red spots with a white center when follicles of hair are blocked, inflamed and infected. Inflammation and blockages that occurs deep inside follicles of hair will produce a lump that looks like a cyst beneath the surface of the skin. If you want to learn the appropriate steps in dealing with acne, click here.
Treatment and home remedies
- Use the hands in washing the face using a mild soap and warm water. If acne occurs around the hairline, shampoo the hair every day.
- Avoid using facial scrubs, astringents and masks since they can cause irritation of the skin and will only worsen the acne. Unnecessary scrubbing and washing can also cause irritation of the skin and be moderate in shaving the affected skin.
- Apply over-the-counter acne products that can dry excess oil and promote peeling of the skin especially products that contains benzoyl peroxide.
- Avoid using greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hairstyling products and acne concealers.
- Keep the hair clean and avoid putting hair on the face, minimize resting the hands or objects like telephone receivers on the face.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes or hats especially if the person is sweating because sweat and oil can cause acne.
- Avoid pricking or squeezing blemishes since it cause further infection or scarring.