Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a self-limited skin disorder that primarily occured in teenage or young adult . Small cysts called comedone ,form in hair follicles due to blockage of openings from cellular debris , sebum , cosmetics and small keratinous materials . When you have just a few red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form of acne. Severe acne can mean hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Or, it can be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts).
Some people call comedones blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, pimples, or zits.
The clinical hallmark of acne is the comedone ,which may be closed (whitehead) or open (black head) .Closed comedones are the precursors of acne vulgaris ,while open comedones are rarely results in inflammatory acne.
Most young people get at least mild acne. It usually gets better after the teen years. But many adult women do have acne in the days before their menstrual periods.Remember that acne is a self-limited ,and natural remedies if not provoke it will make acne better by itself.
How you feel about your acne may not be related to how bad it is. Some people with severe acne are not bothered by it. Others are embarrassed or upset even though they have only a few pimples.
Treatment
Treatment of acne is directed toward elimination of comedones ,
to help control this, keep your skin clean. Avoid skin products that clog your pores. Look for products that say "noncomedogenic" on the label. Wash your skin once or twice a day with a gentle soap or acne wash. Try not to scrub or pick at your pimples. This can make them worse and can cause scars.
If you have just a small amount of pimples to treat, you can get an acne cream or natural remedies without a prescription. Look for one that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid or other topical antibacterial erythromycin or clindamycin. These work best when used just the way the label says.
It can take time to get acne under control. Keep using the same treatment for 6 to 8 weeks. You may even notice that it gets worse before it gets better. If your skin is not better after 8 weeks, try another product.
Sometimes with moderate to severe acne , try to decrease the population of P. acne bacteria ,and superimposed bacterial infection with systemic(oral) antibiotics doxycyclin ,or amoxicillin.
Female patients who do not response to antibiotics may benefits from hormonal therapy. Oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate have demonstrated improvement in their acne when compared to a placebo control.
Some severe cystic or nodular acne unresponsive to therapies above will benefit from treatment with synthetic retinoid ,isotretinoin. Please consult physician due to highly toxic to liver and teratogenic effect to baby.
dr.kijakarn junda ,md.
