What is Acne or pimple
Pimples or Acne is a disorder of the oil producing glands of the skin, mostly affecting the teenagers. This disorder affects men & women all over the world. It is more severe in men.
Why do you get Acne or pimple?
This is a hormonal problem. After puberty the male sex hormone (Androgen) stimulates the oil producing glands (Sebaceous glands), which are abundant over the skin of the face, chest, back, & shoulders. This leads to more oil production in the skin (oily skin) over these areas. At the same time there is a blockage of the skin pores (due to hormones), leading to a small pimple (black or white head). Later this might get infected with the bacteria residing in the skin, leading to red boil or pustule.
How does it appear?
Pimples appear as black or white heads, reddish boil, or pustules particularly over the face, upper chest & back, shoulders. Pimples if not taken care properly can leave black marks, or pitted scars or large thick scar. Sometimes pimples appear as big boil-Cyst (filled with watery fluid) or Nodule (painful-deep boil).
People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, the basic acne lesion, called the comedo (kom´-e-do) or comedone, is simply an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria.
If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo or whitehead. Whiteheads usually appear on the skin surface as small, whitish bumps.
A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called a blackhead because it looks black on the skin’s surface. This black discoloration is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.
How long will it continue?
Pimples appear after puberty, last for years together, waxing & waning up to late twenties or sometimes it persists up to 30-35 yrs of age.
In late onset or adult acne or pimple – Pimple appears during late 20’s & continues till 30-40 yrs of age.
What are the types of Acne or pimple?
Adult acne- appearing late 20’s, premenstrual acne-occurring before menses, steroid induced acne-appearing either due ingestion or applying steroids, nodulo-cystic acne-painful, deep pus filled boils appearing as big lumps, acne excoree due to squeezing of pimples, Oil acne due application of excessive oil on scalp or head