Acne on the skin: causes and methods of treatment

Almost 90% of adolescents are faced with a problem like acne on the skin. Unfortunately, adult women and men are also not protected from the appearance of rashes. Acne can suddenly appear even after 35 years and affect not only the skin of the face, but also the body. Completely getting rid of acne can be difficult. Improper actions can cause stains, scars, and even scars.

Sebaceous Gland Disease

Not all people understand what acne is on their faces. This is one of the most common skin diseases. It can affect not only the face, but also the chest and back. In most cases, observed in adolescents, but often present in adults.

Acne on the skin appears due to pathological changes that occur in the sebaceous glands, as well as hair follicles. A secret is produced in the glands, which is a mixture of certain fats. This substance has a bactericidal effect and protects the epidermis from the penetration of pathogenic flora. In addition, the secret is involved in thermoregulation and protects the skin from dehydration, making it supple and elastic. Its deficiency leads to dryness and peeling.

For various reasons, sebum secretion may increase. In this case, it does not have time to come to the surface and begins to accumulate in the glands and follicles. Gradually it hardens, and its bactericidal effect decreases. There is a slow activation of the coccal flora.

Dust and cosmetic residues, as well as dead epidermal cells, begin to adhere to sticky sebum. The sebaceous plug increases in size and stretches the pore walls. This is an excellent environment for the development of bacterial flora. If the immune system is strong, it copes with the infection, and the pus that forms as a result of this fight accumulates under the epidermis. Thus, abscesses appear. If you remove one such pimple in non-sterile conditions, the bacteria will spread to other areas and the problem will only worsen.

Infection does not always develop in a blocked gland or follicle. The sebaceous plug gradually increases, its tip oxidizes and darkens under the influence of oxygen. Teenagers rarely turn to specialists with the question of whether it is possible to squeeze blackheads. As a result, their improper actions harm the skin. In that case, if the cause of the pathology is not eliminated, squeezing out the eel is useless and dangerous. In place of the removed cork, a new one appears rather quickly. And if the manipulation was carried out without observing the rules of asepsis, the problem can be significantly exacerbated.

Types of rashes

What is acne on the face and how to treat the pathology, the dermatologist should explain to the patient. Pimple is a rather vague concept. In order to choose the most effective method of treatment, a specialist must determine the cause and type of acne. Comedones can be inflammatory or develop without infection.

The following types of rash are distinguished:

1. Blackheads. Relate to non-inflammatory species. They are formed if the congestion from the sebum plug is close to the surface of the pore. The eel on the body looks like a small black dot and has a size of 0.2 to 2 mm. If the lard is of liquid consistency, then the pore is slightly expanded, and its contents are odorless. A thick secret can emit an unpleasant odor when removed. Weakly expressed black dots are a variant of the norm.
2. Whiteheads. Like black, they belong to non-inflammatory species. In this case, a congestion forms in the lower part of the pore and forms a cystic thrombus. It has no exit to the surface. In the people, such formations are called millet. Whiteheads on the body and face are not as easy to remove as black ones. To extract the contents, the pimple must be opened with a sterile needle.
3. A nodule, or papule. This is a barren kind of comedone. It refers to inflammatory manifestations. Such comedones look like small dense balls on the skin. Palpations are painful. Often, such acne leaves keloid or atrophic scars. Papules are formed as a result of an immune response to inflammation.
4. An abscess or pustule. An island-inflammatory abdominal element that has purulent contents. Its shape is hemispherical, flat or conical. A white loose head is visible on the surface, inflamed areas and hyperemia are visible along its edges. Such redheads on the body and face can be found in subcutaneous fat or dermis. Superficial in most cases are resolved without a trace. Deep can leave scars.

Acne Stages

The skin of the face and body can be affected by several types of rash. For a full recovery in this case, an integrated approach is needed. Treatment may take several months or even years. Fortunately, this happens quite rarely.

Acne has the following stages:

1. Easy degree. On the face and some parts of the body, you can notice a small amount of blackheads or sunflowers. There may be single pustules with yellowish heads. The number of all entities does not exceed 20 pieces.
2. Medium degree. An impressive amount of blackheads is noticeable on the face and upper neck. In addition, there are several pustules.
   
3. Severe degree. Acne on the skin is noticeable in very large quantities. Pustules and nodules are present. Pus cystic masses may form. Even with successful treatment of a severe degree of acne, the patient may remain scarred. It can be both invisible cavities on the skin, and deep recesses of irregular shape. Often they are painted in a darker color.
4. Conglobate, or spherical, acne. The most severe chronic form of a rash. These are tuberous painful formations that have a bluish tint. May occur not only on the face, but also on the scalp, arms, buttocks and abdomen. The treatment is long. Success is possible only with an integrated approach.
5. Lightning rosacea. It occurs suddenly.

Hormonal rash

Dermatologists are often asked why acne appears on the body and face. The reasons for all are the same regardless of gender and age. The correct determination of the main factor in the appearance of rashes is an important step in the fight against pathology.

Most often, hormones are to blame for the formation of acne. They stimulate the skin to produce more secretions. The pores cannot cope with this volume and become clogged. Sebum is mixed with epidermal cells and clogs them.

It is known that the skin is a hormone-dependent organ. Therefore, rashes most often appear during puberty, as well as in women before menstruation, during menopause or during pregnancy.

Rashes can be triggered by gynecological diseases that are associated with hormonal disorders. In addition, anabolic hormones or androgens can be adversely affected on the skin. Often, the state of the dermis worsens after the abolition of oral contraceptives.

Affects the condition of the skin and thyroid gland. If its function is increased, then the patient begins to appear pustules. In the event that the hormone is not produced enough, the skin becomes dry. Besides. inflammatory elements and acne appear.

The reasons for the deterioration of the skin helps to determine a blood test for sex hormones. An ultrasound of the thyroid gland may also be prescribed. Women are additionally examined for ovaries and uterus. After receiving all the tests and making a diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe treatment.

Digestion and acne

In the event that the results of the tests did not show the presence of hormonal imbalance, the patient should pay attention to the work of the digestive tract and nutrition. Facial cleansing and removal of blackheads will not give any result if the intestines work with irregularities. For example, dysbiosis provokes the development of pathogenic microflora. It secretes toxins that are absorbed into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.

Acne can occur due to an imbalance in the diet, when the menu is dominated by flour, refined, spicy, fatty and sweet foods. Sugar is especially dangerous for the skin. It increases insulin levels, which stimulate testosterone production. In turn, this hormone affects the production of sebum. Its quantity increases, it becomes more viscous. In other words, every time you eat a bar of chocolate, your blood sugar rises sharply. And with it, testosterone. It is important to ensure that such jumps during the day are as few as possible.

Sometimes in order to cleanse the skin, it is enough to adhere to the following rules:

1. Refuse the use of soups cooked in a strong meat broth.
2. Eat a few servings of fresh herbs and fruits daily.
3. Include whole grains and legumes in the diet.
4. Exclude any canned food.
5. Eat only fresh food. Do not cook for several days in a row.
6. Drink at least two liters of clean water.
7. Refuse alcohol and coffee.
8. Separate protein and carbohydrate foods.
9. Buns and sweets should be replaced with dried fruits. Those people who cannot imagine their life without chocolate can use black. It is better to refuse milk.
10. Exclude smoked, fried and salty dishes from the diet.

Other causes of acne

Acne on the face, as well as acne on the back in women and men, appear not only due to hormonal failure or malnutrition. There are many other factors that can ruin the condition of the skin. Among them are the following:

1. Heredity.
2. Hyperkeratosis There is an accumulation of dead skin cells that clog pores. The causes of hyperkeratosis are not fully understood. It is believed that such violations can provoke a lack of vitamins A and C. In many patients, the condition worsens in the winter, under the influence of cold air, and closer to the summer, the skin clears.
3. Demodecosis A healthy person has no more than two ticks per 1 cm of skin. The patient may have more than 60. Parasites are activated with a decrease in immunity, as well as with topical use of corticosteroid drugs.
4. Stress. Severe shock can activate the adrenal glands.
5. Humid climate and heat.
6. Contact with toxic substances.
7. Pathogenic microflora that lives on the skin. For example, staphylococcus, fungi.
8. Self-removal of blackheads without observing asepsis rules.
9. The reaction to cosmetics.
10. Taking certain medications. For example, those that contain iodine, bromine, lithium, fluorine or barbiturates.
11. Overactive sebaceous glands.
12. Mechanical damage to the skin.

Dermatologist treatment

Abscesses and large acne on the body and face should be treated under the supervision of a dermatologist. After the doctor receives the results of all the necessary tests, he will be able to prescribe the necessary therapy. Depending on the causes of the development of the pathology and its stage, the following procedures can be prescribed:

1. Phototherapy. Suitable for the treatment of advanced forms of acne. A flash of light destroys bacteria and also smoothes scars. In the event that the procedure is performed in the summer, the skin will need to be protected with sunscreen cosmetics.
2. Mechanical cleaning. This procedure has both supporters and opponents. Nevertheless, it is often used to cleanse the skin.
3. Chemical peeling. The procedure allows you to tidy up the work of the sebaceous glands, as well as cleanse and renew the skin.
   
4. Ultrasonic cleaning. Most suitable for skin with the first stage of acne. In more advanced cases, it may be ineffective.
5. Fractional laser. Manipulation allows you to completely renew the skin. Not only acne is eliminated, but also small wrinkles. The disadvantage of the procedure is the length of the recovery period. You will have to stay home for a week until the top layer of skin is completely peeled off.
6. Mesotherapy A cosmetologist nourishes the skin with the necessary vitamins and medicinal substances.
7. Plasma therapy. In the first stage of acne, positive changes can be noticed after the first procedure.

Pharmacy preparations

You can treat acne on the skin at home, but it is recommended to do this under the supervision of a dermatologist. First, you must go through all the necessary examinations to find out the cause of the development of the pathology. After that, the doctor will be able to prescribe the necessary drug, as well as prescribe a treatment regimen.

The following drugs are used to treat acne:

1. Metrogil. A popular tool that comes in the form of a gel. Destroys bacteria, destroying their protein components. The gel can be combined with other drugs or applied under cosmetics. The course of therapy is usually three months.
2. Zinerite. The drug contains erythromycin and zinc. Lotion is applied to the affected areas twice a day. Use the product with caution, as addiction can develop.
3. "Zerkalin." Contains alcohol and clindamycin. The product is applied locally or to all affected areas.
4. "Baziron AS". The gel is applied twice a day, for a month. In some cases, longer therapy may be required.
5. Adapalen. Effective for the treatment of moderate acne. Recommended for people with dry and sensitive skin. The duration of therapy is two months, the gel is applied once a day.
6. "Isotretinoin". The course of treatment is long and can be 24 weeks. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy, as well as during its planning. In addition, "Isotretinoin" is forbidden to take with liver and kidney pathologies.
7. Ichthyol ointment. Effective with deep ulcers.
8. Salicylic and zinc ointments. These drugs are often used to treat acne on the back. At first it is recommended to take a shower using tar soap. Then the ointment is distributed in a thin layer on the back, chest and other areas that are affected by acne.
9. Vishnevsky ointment. Accelerates the maturation of abscesses.
10. Salicylic acid. Suitable for spot application to inflammation, and can also be used to treat large areas of the skin.

If necessary, all of the listed ointments and lotions can be applied to the skin of the body. For example, on the back and chest. This must be done after cleansing the skin.

Traditional medicine recipes

Many patients find that acne medications are too aggressive. Therefore, they are looking for safer products that can eliminate blackheads on the body. Treatment can be carried out using traditional medicine recipes. But before applying this or that remedy, you should consult a dermatologist.

The following recipes allow you to eliminate acne:

1. Every day before going to bed, apply tar soap on the affected areas. After 10 minutes rinse with water.
2. Add a tablespoon of aloe and lemon juice to the yolk. The mixture is applied to the face for 20 minutes.
3. A clove of garlic is passed through a press. The resulting slurry is applied pointwise to inflammation. Removed after 15 minutes.
4. Two aspirin tablets are pulverized. Mix it with a tablespoon of natural yogurt and 15 ml of mineral water. The composition is applied to the face for half an hour.
5. When treating acne, daily lotions from fresh cucumber juice help.
6. Brew quality green tea. After the drink has cooled, the liquid is drained. The leaves are applied to the face, covered with gauze on top. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. It is recommended to repeat it once every three days.
7. Fresh lemon juice is applied to the affected areas. After two to three hours, wash with warm water.

Prevention

It is impossible to completely protect yourself from the appearance of blackheads on the skin, however, it is possible to minimize the risk. To do this, you must strictly adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, monitor nutrition and choose the right cosmetics. In addition, you should balance the hormonal background, more often be in the fresh air, abandon bad habits. And in the event that inflammation begins to appear on the skin, you should immediately seek help from a dermatologist. You should not wait until the initial stage of acne goes into severe and leaves scars and scars on your face.