Acne affects around 80% of teenagers, it usually starts in puberty but adults can also be affected. You can help prevent it by washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleansing product. This will help to stop bacteria from multiplying. Acne is not infectious. This article will focus on the symptoms, diagnosis and complications.
Symptoms:
Acne commonly appears on the face, the back and the chest; sometimes the buttocks can also be affected. Acne causes lesions to appear on the skin, commonly referred to as spots. There are several types of spots:
Blackheads are small black bumps that develop on the skin.
Whiteheads have a similar appearance; they are firmer and have a white centre.
Papules are small red bumps; they usually feel sore or tender.
Pustules have a white tip on the spot caused by a build-up of pus.
Nodules are large hard lumps usually quite painful; these build up beneath the skin.
Cysts are the most serious of acne spots, these large lumps look like boils and are filled with pus and carry the greatest risk of scarring.
Even mild forms of acne can cause distress to the affected person, go see your doctor if you are unhappy with your condition. Also see your doctor if you develop cysts or nodules, these tend to indicate severe acne. Your doctor will discuss the options available and may refer you to a dermatologist (an expert in skin conditions).
Diagnosis:
By going to see your doctor, he or she will be able to make an initial diagnosis by looking at the appearance of your skin. They will examine your face, chest and back looking for the different types of spots. They will assess the severity of your acne by the number of spots you have, how many different types of spots you have and how painful or irritated your skin is. They can then start planning your treatment, if any is needed.
Acne is classified as mild, moderate or severe depending on the number and types of spots you have:
Mild Acne, consists of mostly blackheads and whiteheads, usually only on the face.
Moderate Acne, may affect your face, shoulders and back and is a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.
Severe Acne will cover a more extensive area and will also include nodules and cysts as well as papules and pustules.
Your doctor will describe the treatment options available for your condition. Some treatments are available over-the-counter. The sooner you see your doctor the better chance you have of avoiding permanent scarring.
Complications:
Scarring can sometimes develop as a result of acne. This is caused when nodules and cysts rupture, damaging the surrounding skin. Also, if you pick or squeeze your spots, scarring can occur. There are several types of acne scarring.
Ice-Pick Scars-are small holes that look like the skin has been punctures by a sharp object.
Rolling Scars-give the skins surface a rolling and uneven appearance, caused by bands of scar tissue.
Boxcar Scars-have the appearance of small craters or depressions.
In severe cases of scarring or if scarring is causing you distress, your doctor will be able to discuss the available options of cosmetic surgery. Many private clinics offer treatments for acne scarring, prices can vary widely depending on the options required. It is important to realise that cosmetic surgery will not get rid of your scars altogether, most people however, will notice a 75% improvement.
Types of treatments for scarring include:
Dermabrasion. This involves lasers or a special brush to remove the top layer of skin.
Laser Treatments. These are normally used to treat mild or moderate cases of scarring and involve removing a small patch of skin. Or alternatively they can be used to stimulate the growth of new collagen.
Punch Techniques. Used to treat ice-pick and boxcar scars, they are a type of surgical treatment. The scar is surgically removed and the wound sealed, or if the scar is deep, the wound is plugged with skin after the scar has been removed. The skin 'plug' would be taken from elsewhere on your body.
Depending on the option used, it can take several weeks or months before the skin fully heals and the appearance of scarring improves. Additional treatments can sometimes be used to further improve the appearance.
Depression:
Acne spots can cause distress and feelings of anxiety. This can lead to people feeling withdrawn, depressed and hopeless, and not wanting to socialise. If you or your child have any of these feelings, it is important to seek professional medical advice, speak to your doctor. Acne will eventually clear up on its own, but this may take several years. With treatments, you should notice improvements after a couple of months. Read my free ezine article on your treatment options.
By David Snowdon
David Snowdon is a published writer and author of teenagespots.blogspot.com Faster Treatments For Acne
No comments:
Post a Comment