Disease/Disorder: Acne VulgarisCommon Name: Acne
Age of Onset: during adolescent years, stays with you if you have it. Mainly during teenage years, rarely infants; babies.
Duration: you can have it for the rest of your life.
Males/Females/Equal: Males and females have an equal chance of having acne.
Cause: Caused by abrasion, chemicals, wind, sun, and other irritations. Pores become clogged with bacteria. One certain bacteria is Propionibacterium which is responsible for causing acne. Another factor for causing acne is air pollutants. The primary problem for the development of acne is the process of abnormal flaking of cells. Inside the hair follicle the formation of a plug is form from the flaking. The plug inside the hair follicle will enlarge and may even rupture . The ruptured hair follicle spills oils and derbis into the skin and leads to swelling which causes redness. Androgens, which are mainly males hormones, but are in females too. This hormone is enlarges the sebaceous glands.
Symptoms: In non-inflammatory acne there are a few blackheads and whiteheads that appear. In inflammatory acne whiteheads become inflamed and red pimples form.
Prognosis: Acne subsides after adolescence, but it may last into middle age.
Treatment: Do daily washing of the face with soap and water to remove oils. Over-the-counter acne medications. Acne medicines prescribed by the doctor. If critical may need surgery.
