Acne
1. What are acne/pimples?
Acne or pimples is a disease of oil glands of skin (pilosebaceous unit) causing different types of skin bumps depending upon cause & process involved.
2. How do pimples develop?
Pimples develop because of clogging of the canal connecting the oil glands & pores on skin, leading to invasion by bacteria. This causes swelling, redness & pain leading to pimple formation.
3. What are the types of pimples?
There are many types of pimples like;
• Whiteheads-These are pimples that stay under the surface of the skin.
• Blackheads- These pimples rise to the skin's surface and look black. The black color is not from dirt.
• Papules-These are small pink bumps that can be tender.
• Pustules-These pimples are red at the bottom and have pus on top.
• Nodules- These are large, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin.
• Cysts.-These deep, painful, pus-filled pimples can cause scars.
4. Who Gets pimples?
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases. People of all races and ages get acne. But it is most common in teenagers and young adults, though individuals of higher age groups can have acne.
5. What Causes pimples?
Multiple factors are involved in causation of acne like
1. Genetic
2. Hormonal factors
3. Emotional stress
4. Diet containing milk & dairy products, chocolates, ice creams etc.
5. Environmental factors likeHot n humid climate
6. Occupation like cooks
7. Application of oils, pomades etc
6. How pimples are treated?
Acne is treated by skin specialist (dermatologists). Treatment tries to:
Heal pimples
Stop new pimples from forming
Prevent formation of pits/ scars
Help reduce the embarrassment of having acne.
It is done with the help of
1. Creams to be applied on pimples/affected area
2. Tablets mainly mild antibiotics , isotretinoin etc
3. Chemical peels
4. Lasers like IPL
When should treatment of pimples start?
Acne is associated with a great psychological trauma causing depression, anxiety, and social inhibition. Early, prompt and effective treatment of acne is essential to improve self-esteem, social assertiveness, and self-confidence.