Acne vulgaris, or simply “acne” as it is commonly known, is a common dermatological condition that affects almost everyone at one time or another in his/her lifetime. It is very common during puberty in both males and females alike. Acne lesions are commonly known by other names such as pimple, zits, blemishes or just acne.
Acne vulgaris is caused due to changes in the sweat producing glands. These changes are usually due to hormonal imbalance. These glands are called pilosebaceous units. Acne vulgaris affects the regions of the skin while have the higher concentration of sebaceous glands like the face, upper regio of the chest, and the back. Acne vulgaris may both be inflammatory and noninflammatory.
Acne vulgaris is commonly observed during adolescence i.e. puberty. In fact, it affects more than 85% of all teenagers. However, it may also continue well into adulthood. During adolescence, the body undergoes hormonal changes and as a result male sex hormone levels increase in both males and females. This hormonal imbalance leads to acne. Acne usually disappears during the early twenties as the body regains the normal hormonal balance. However, there is no way to predict when it will completely disappear and many people continue to suffer from acne even into their late thirties and forties.
Acne commonly occurs in the face region and the upper neck. However, it can also occur on the chest, shoulders and the back. Acne lesions are inflamed sebaceous glands and in technical terms they are called comedones, papules, nodules or pustules. Lesions may also be observed in the upper arm area. However, these lesions are usually not acne but another condition called “keratosis pilaris”.
Acne caused tissue scarring. Apart from this, it also caused psychological problems such as low self-esteem and depression. In some rare cases, acne can also cause suicidal feelings in some individuals. Acne occurs during adolescent period during which people tend to be socially insecure and makes the person even more prone to psychological issues. The overall impact of acne on individuals can be reduced to a large extent by aggressive treatment in the early stages.
There are several treatment options for treating acne. Baceteriocides such as benzoyl peroxide and triclosan and antobiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline are highly effective in treating acne. Other treatment options include hormonal treatment, phototherapy and laser treatment. Alternative or herbal treatments like Aloe vera extracts, turmeric, tea tree oil, and detoxification therapy are also widely used against acne vulgaris.