With over 80% of the population affected in some way or another by acne vulgaris, this represents the most common skin disease and understanding the causes and symptoms of acne is important in order to find ways to eliminate acne. The severity of acne also varies from one person to another with one person facing only a few pimples and/or blackheads every now and then to another person dealing with a severe case of acne involving pustules and cysts and everywhere in between.
Causes of Acne
Acne usually starts at some point during puberty which is why it is believed to be caused by certain hormonal changes during this time and in particular the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone production increases significantly during this phase in life and leads to the stimulation of sebaceous glands that are in the skin, prompting these glands to produce more sebum (which is an oily secretion).
Sebaceous glands surround hair follicles (through which hair develops from these tubelike structures) and excess sebum is usually released through the hair follicles. In some cases, this excess sebum or oil clogs these hair follicles creating blocked hair follicles otherwise known as comedones which set the foundation for the development of acne and the beginning of attempts to find effective remedies to eliminate acne.
Due to this excess oil production, it is no surprise that most acne prone skin is usually oily skin or combination skin and also features enlarged pores which very frequently become clogged and in order to eliminate acne, finding ways to control this excess oil production is important. Acne sufferers may also suffer from oily hair which causes acne breakouts along the hairline.
Comedones that are open and exposed to oxygen usually develop a black or brown top and become known as blackheads. Blackheads usually comprise sebum, dead skin cells as well as bacteria.
If the comedones have a closed top, they are known as whiteheads since they also usually feature a white substance at the top. Hair follicles that become plugged with sebum and other debris can also rupture internally leading to inflammation in the surrounding areas and the worsening of acne.
Symptoms of Acne
Acne commonly shows up on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders but may affect other areas of the body as well. Acne is usually represented by raised swellings in these areas and become either a whitehead or blackhead. When a whitehead raptures beneath the surface for various reasons including improper handling, squeezing, popping, etc, it can lead to an inflamed pimple as bacteria starts to spread in the surrounding areas and lead to a pus filled pimple also known as a pustule. If this pustule worsens, an ugly, round knot on the skin may develop which is known as a nodule. When this nodule worsens, it can become a cyst which is a sac that is filled with fluid. Cysts are very serious and usually require medical attention in order to eliminate this acne symptom. Cysts can also lead to scarring. Pain, soreness and itching may accompany some acne.
Causes of Acne
Acne usually starts at some point during puberty which is why it is believed to be caused by certain hormonal changes during this time and in particular the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone production increases significantly during this phase in life and leads to the stimulation of sebaceous glands that are in the skin, prompting these glands to produce more sebum (which is an oily secretion).
Sebaceous glands surround hair follicles (through which hair develops from these tubelike structures) and excess sebum is usually released through the hair follicles. In some cases, this excess sebum or oil clogs these hair follicles creating blocked hair follicles otherwise known as comedones which set the foundation for the development of acne and the beginning of attempts to find effective remedies to eliminate acne.
Due to this excess oil production, it is no surprise that most acne prone skin is usually oily skin or combination skin and also features enlarged pores which very frequently become clogged and in order to eliminate acne, finding ways to control this excess oil production is important. Acne sufferers may also suffer from oily hair which causes acne breakouts along the hairline.
Comedones that are open and exposed to oxygen usually develop a black or brown top and become known as blackheads. Blackheads usually comprise sebum, dead skin cells as well as bacteria.
If the comedones have a closed top, they are known as whiteheads since they also usually feature a white substance at the top. Hair follicles that become plugged with sebum and other debris can also rupture internally leading to inflammation in the surrounding areas and the worsening of acne.
Symptoms of Acne
Acne commonly shows up on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders but may affect other areas of the body as well. Acne is usually represented by raised swellings in these areas and become either a whitehead or blackhead. When a whitehead raptures beneath the surface for various reasons including improper handling, squeezing, popping, etc, it can lead to an inflamed pimple as bacteria starts to spread in the surrounding areas and lead to a pus filled pimple also known as a pustule. If this pustule worsens, an ugly, round knot on the skin may develop which is known as a nodule. When this nodule worsens, it can become a cyst which is a sac that is filled with fluid. Cysts are very serious and usually require medical attention in order to eliminate this acne symptom. Cysts can also lead to scarring. Pain, soreness and itching may accompany some acne.
