Acne Vulgaris

Definition

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands. It may be occur on areas of the body that have sebaceous glands such as face, neck, back and shoulders. It is associated with high rail of sebum secretion. Excessive sebum is usually secreted into the dilated hair follicles. The sebum joins with the bacteria and keratin in the hair follicles to form a plug. It has two types of acne such as inflammatory, in which the hair follicle is blocked by sebum that may be cause by bacteria and eventually rupture the follicle and second non inflammatory, in which the follicle doesn't rupture but remains dilated. It may be develops in approximately 85% of the population. Primarily it may be occur between ages 15 and 18. Usually it may appear as early as age 8 or as late as age 58, acne primarily affects adolescents.

Causes of Acne vulgaris

The main cause of acne is multi-factorial. Other various myths exist such as chocolate or fatty foods that may cause acne. Possible causes of acne such as increased activity of sebaceous glands and blockage of the pilosebaceous ducts. Various factors that may cause acne such as:

• Heredity
• Androgen stimulation
• Certain drugs such as corticosterolds, corticotropin, isoniazid, lithium, and halothane
• Cobalt irradiation
• Hyperalimentation
• Exposure to heavy oils, greases, or tars
• Trauma or rubbing from tight clothing
• Cosmetics
• Emotional stress
• Tropical climate
• Hormonal contraceptive use

Signs and symptoms of Acne vulgaris

The acne plug may appear as a closed comedo, or whitehead. In which, it not protruding from the follicle and it covered by the epidermis. Other it may be appear as open comedo, or blackhead. In which it protruding from the follicle and not covered by the epidermis; melanin or pigment of the follicle causes the black color. Leakage of an enlarged plug into the epidemics that may produces inflammation, characteristic acne pustules, papules or, in severe forms, acne cysts or abscesses. In women, signs and symptoms may include increased severity just before or during menstruation when estrogen levels are lowest. Various complications of acne may include:

• Acne conglobata
• Scarring
• Impaired self-esteem
• Abscesses or secondary bacterial infections

Treatment of Acne vulgaris

If you have this disease, then you should be use Possible treatment such as:

• Benzoyl peroxide is the treatment of choice for noninflammabled lesions and it may also be used for milder forms of inflamed lesions.
• If you have severe inflamed acne, then treatment you should be use such as application of antibacterial agents such as clindamycin, or benzoyl peroxide plus erythromycin antibacterial agents.
• You should be try to identify predisposing factors that may be eliminated or modified.