Acne (acne) is a common skin disease that occurs due to inflammation of the hair follicles. Such a disease does not pose a danger to life, but it causes a lot of trouble to a person.
Acne is mainly localized in areas of the skin with the largest sebaceous glands. This is the face, upper chest, back.
Acne can be hereditary. Infections, endocrine and immune disorders, diseases of the digestive system, disorders of the nervous system can provoke its appearance. Acne on the face can appear during adolescence and disappear on its own. Most often found in the representatives of the stronger sex.
Causes of acne
Among the main causes of this skin disease are:
1. Hormonal changes that affect the work of the sebaceous glands. Many women note the appearance of acne on the face before critical days. Also, during the period of bearing a child, the expectant mother has an increased level of progesterone, which leads to excessive production of sebum.
2. Hereditary factors.
3. Stress.
4. Treatment with certain drugs, such ascorticosteroids.
5. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine diseases.
6. Increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
7. Skin lesions that are accompanied by inflammation.
8. Acne can be a problem due to poor hygiene or, conversely, excessive cleanliness.
Adult acne may appear as a result of the use of "comedogenic" cosmetics. The desire to mask the defect with a thick layer of foundation leads to an aggravation of the problem.
In addition, attempts to squeeze a pimple can complicate the condition. Under no circumstances should this be done. If acne on the face is accompanied by the addition of an infection, then such actions will lead to the fact that acne will progress, and microbes will enter the bloodstream. Due to the close connection of the blood vessels of the face with the vessels of the brain, such actions can have serious consequences, even death.
In girls, the use of contraceptives with progesterone can lead to an exacerbation of acne. If the female body has an excess of male sex hormones, then contraceptives that have an antiandrogenic effect will help reduce the manifestation of the disease.
Possible forms of acne disease
There are non-inflammatory and inflammatory forms of acne that are characterized by their own unique features. The degree of the disease is determined by the number of rashes, the location of acne on the body, the presence or absence of certain elements of the rash.
Acne disease can manifest as black (open comedones) or white dots (closed comedones), papules, pustules, cysts. In the first case, acne looks like enlarged and clogged skin pores. In the second - clogged pores with a small hole. You can get rid of black dots on your own or with the help of a beautician. It is difficult to remove whites on your own, you need to consult a specialist.
Papules look like pink painless pimples, the size of which does not exceed 5 mm. Pustules result from the active reproduction of bacteria inside the comedone, which leads to inflammation and the formation of pus. It is undesirable to squeeze them out - this can result in an exacerbation of inflammation and an increase in the size of the pimple.
Nodes - large and painful acne rashes more than five millimeters in diameter, bluish-pink in color, have an unpleasant appearance. Such a large pimple can leave scars behind.
Mild degree
It is difficult to find a person who has never had pimples on the face or other parts of the body. The causes of acne lie in minor hormonal changes, mechanical damage to the skin, and excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This condition does not require treatment, traces and scars do not remain after it. With the appearance of comedones, there is reason to be wary, since the development of inflammation and the formation of papules is possible. If a small amount of acne and comedones is constantly present on the face (no more than ten pieces), then this condition is considered a mild degree of acne. At this stage of the disease, the formation of pustules or nodes is not observed. To get rid of the problem,it is enough to adhere to the rules of hygiene, drug treatment in this case is not prescribed.
Medium degree
With a moderate severity of the disease, in addition to a certain number of papules and comedones (10-25), there is the appearance of small pustules (pustules), there are no nodes. The skin around the rash is inflamed, bluish-pink. At this stage, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist, self-treatment will not bring benefits, moreover, negative consequences are possible. If left untreated, acne and acne can leave scars and scars.
Severe
The third, severe degree is diagnosed in the presence of 25-50 papules and 21-30 pustules, a small number of painful nodes (up to five pieces). At this stage, large areas of the skin become inflamed. Knots leave behind scars. A severe degree of the disease is treated with medications, since most often this condition is caused by hormonal disruptions, disorders of the immune system, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Fourth stage
At this stage, there are more than 50 comedones and 30 papules, pustules, more than five nodes, the skin is inflamed and reddened. Perhaps the fusion of pustules and the formation of abscesses, which leads to severe pain and psychological discomfort. Soreness of the nodes located deep under the skin is noted, after which very noticeable scars remain. At this stage, the patient has serious depression, and the use of antidepressants and tranquilizers only aggravates the skin condition. A person needs to consult not only a dermatologist,but also a psychologist.
Treatment
When choosing a treatment method, it is important to consider the prevalence of the process, the degree and duration of the disease. Most often, doctors treat acne (acne) with lotions, gels, creams that contain tretinoin. Such drugs help reduce sebum secretion.
Sometimes antibiotic treatment is needed to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. In especially severe cases, a drug that contains isotretinoin is prescribed for oral administration. Such treatment is contraindicated for women during childbearing.
To avoid the appearance of scars and scars, injections of various drugs are prescribed into the affected area, which contributes to the rapid healing and removal of inflammation.
To prevent any form of disease, preventive measures are needed. It is necessary to limit the consumption of carbohydrates, fatty and fried foods, spicy foods, sweets. Useful foods high in fiber. It is important to regularly carry out water procedures using soap or special products. After playing sports or physical activity, you need to take a shower. It is useful to take vitamin complexes, especially those that contain vitamins of groups B, A and E.
In the non-inflammatory form, special strips are used as a treatment, with which you can mechanically remove the rash. To cleanse the skin and kill bacteria, wipe the damaged areas with salicylic alcohol.
Pimples (acne) inflammatorynature is treated with a solarium. You can wipe problem areas with salicylic alcohol purchased at a pharmacy. More effective is the drug "Skinoren" based on azelaic acid or "Zinerit" with erythromycin and zinc, which destroy bacteria. You can use the remedy "Baziron", which suppresses the secretion of sebum. "Accutane" has the same properties.
If the measures taken do not have the desired effect, antibiotics will need to be used. Most often, Clindamycin is prescribed, the course of which is ten days. Severe acne is treated with blood purification (plasmapheresis) or laser removal of the rash.
Peeling is used to cleanse the skin. This procedure consists in removing the superficial layers of the skin with weak acid solutions (chemical peeling). Mechanical resurfacing (dermabrasion) can be used. You can get rid of acne with the help of a special pinch massage, superficial cryotherapy.
Hormonal treatments for acne are mainly given to women. The most commonly recommended combination of estrogen and progestogen. Spironolactone is prescribed for polycystic ovaries.
Treatment at home
Home treatment will be effective if you follow some rules:
1. It is undesirable to wash your face more than twice a day. Frequent water procedures provoke inflammatory processes. It is necessary to replace soap with foam or gel for problem skin, use themin moderation.
2. During treatment, stick to the diet. The diet should be dominated by vegetables and fruits, dairy products. It is necessary to limit the consumption of meat and sweets. Bran is very useful, which helps to eliminate toxins.
3. Take a zinc vitamin complex.
4. Don't try to pop a big pimple yourself, it can increase the inflammation.
Basically, to get rid of acne, it is enough to use various over-the-counter anti-acne products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulfur.
Benzoyl peroxide helps kill acne causing bacteria. Azelaic acid has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and keratolytic effects. With the help of resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulfur, comedones are removed.
Apply such products daily to the affected areas after cleansing the skin. If its drying or irritation is observed, reduce the frequency of use of the drug (1 time in 2-3 days).
For effective home treatment, you can use folk remedies for acne.
Mask with bran and baking soda
Rye bran (1 tbsp.) Grind with a coffee grinder or meat grinder, add one or two teaspoons of soda, mix thoroughly. The required amount of the mixture is diluted with water. You should get a gruel, which is applied to the face and held for 7-10 minutes, after which it is washed off with cool water with a pinch of soda dissolved in it. The remaining product is stored in a glass container and used as needed.needs.
Honey compress
Very effective remedy. Honey (2 tsp) is dissolved in hot water (1 tbsp) and calendula tincture (2 tsp) is added. Soak cotton pads with the solution, wring out and apply to the inflamed areas. The procedure is carried out in the morning and in the evening.
Pine lotion
You will need fresh pine or spruce needles (2 tablespoons), two or three plantain leaves, dried chamomile and calendula flowers (1 tablespoon each). All components are mixed and poured with boiling water (0.5 l). Rinse your face with this remedy. You can pour the same amount of vodka, insist 7-10 days. Only the inflamed areas are wiped with alcohol lotion no more than once a day.
Herbal ice cubes
Washing in the morning can be replaced by rubbing with ice cubes, which helps to narrow the pores. You need to take St. John's wort and chamomile, 2 tbsp. l., pour boiling water (1 l) and cook over low heat for 7-10 minutes. The broth is infused for 4-5 hours and poured into ice molds.
Prevention
The main preventive measure for acne on the face is regular skin care. People who are prone to this disease should not use greasy creams, oils and ointments that contain lanolin and petroleum jelly. Make sure you choose cosmetics that are labeled “non-comedogenic” and do not contain acne-causing ingredients.
During treatment, fatty, spicy, fried foods, sweet and starchy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is recommended to limit the consumption of carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee. Alcohol and smoking negatively affect the condition of the skin. The diet should be dominated by vegetables and fruits, freshly squeezed juices, dairy products. Proper nutrition, walks in the fresh air, physical activity in combination with medication or alternative treatment will help you forget about acne (acne and acne).
