Acne, popularly known as “pimples”, is one of the most common skin problems. It is known that 85 out of every 100 adults experience acne problems at some point in their life. In 15% of the people who have experienced this problem, more advanced pictures are seen in which the treatment becomes difficult.
Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands in the skin, normally the oil secreted by these glands should be removed after coming to the surface of the skin. However, since the sebaceous glands secrete more oil during adolescence, the channels that allow this oil to pass to the skin surface are blocked due to a concentrated mass of fat. The major cause of acne is this blockage.
All acne begins with a simple infection, but it progresses in different ways in different people. The treatment types to be applied to different acne types also differ.
Acne Types
- Non-inflammatory Acne
Closed Comedo or white-headed infection: If clogged pores remain under the skin, the infection is called closed comedo or white-headed infection. These are usually seen on the skin and in the form of small white bumps.
Open Comedo or blackhead infection: If the obstruction is enlarged and swollen by pressing on the skin surface, it is called open comedo or blackhead infection. Dark obstruction is not caused by dirt, but because the skin produces dark pigment instead of melanin.
- Inflammatory Acne
Papule:Acne, which is seen as small hard pink bloating on the skin and in the form of soft inflammation, is called papule. These are sensitive to touch and are often seen as the transition between non-inflammatory and inflammatory infection.
Pustule: They are small round formations such as papules. Unlike the papule, it clearly produces inflammation and contains pus. These are mainly red, and the middle is yellowish or white. Pustule does not contain much bacteria. Inflammation is often caused by chemical irritation caused by free fatty acids.
- Nodule or Cyst:Nodules that are large and often very painful are inflammatory formations filled with pus inside the skin. Nodules develop when the content of a comedo spreads into the skin around it and the local immune system is activated and produces purulent. If the acne formation is very severe, the nodule content can harden in deep cysts and persist for weeks or months. Nodules and cysts often cause deep wounds.
- Conglobate:It is a rare but severe form of acne that develops mainly behind the hips. It occurs as a severe bacterial infection in addition to pustules and nodules.
Acne treatment
The methods and preparations used in the treatment of acne differ according to the type of acne. Individuals with acne problems should definitely seek the opinion of a specialist and continue treatment under the supervision of a specialist.
Usually in the treatment of acne; soaps or lotions, acne drying gels, antibiotics, skin creams containing Vitamin A are used.
Points to pay attention
It is essential to see a specialist in acne treatment, but a few simple measures that we will do ourselves will help us fight acne.
Washing our face twice a day with a mild soap that we maintain in a hygienic environment is one of the simple measures we can apply to have cleaner skin.
Our hands are our areas most in contact with bacteria and microbes. Washing our hands frequently and keeping them away from our face as much as possible will be beneficial to prevent acne development.
It is useful to avoid such actions since squeezing, pulling, scratching and rubbing our pimples will cause unwanted scars and spots in the acne area.
Shampooing our hair at least twice a week and taking care not to touch our hair will help us to fight acne.
Another effective method is to stay away from foodstuffs that we think cause acne formation on our skin.
In addition, being cautious against sunburn, avoiding stress, exercising regularly and being knowledgeable and conscious about the medications we use will also help us to have clean and acne-free skin.