Common, inflammation, and infection, are three of the words most frequently used to describe acne, and in its broadest sense these are quite accurate. Acne can be a very common skin condition that blights the lives of those who suffer with it, and inflammation/infection is a symptom in many types of acne.
A more detailed look at the condition though, reveals some other interesting facts. Although acne is frequently linked to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty, it can be found in men and women of all ages, and there are even some types of acne that are specifically female in origin.
Something else to bear in mind, is that acne isn’t always confined to the face, and can spread over the chest, shoulders, neck and back. The symptom aren’t limited to inflammation and bacterial infections of blocked up pores either. Acne rosacea is characterised by a red rash, gram negative folliculitis gives sufferers pus and cysts, while nodules see hard lumps form on the skin.
The hormonal changes that bring about acne, normally lead to an increased production of oil called sebum. Instead of draining to the surface, the excess oil can get stuck, blocking the pore and allowing bacteria to grow behind it.
It’s not widely known, but blackheads and whiteheads are forms of acne, and often form during this process. They are known as comedomes, and are often (and falsely) linked to dirty skin. These common types of acne are some of the easiest to treat and heal, but when the pores rupture, inflamed forms of acne can break-out. Then if you’re unlucky, the pores may completely disintegrate, and infection/inflammation may spread, leading to nodules and cysts forming, or processes to start that will form the most severe types of acne.
Whichever type of acne you or someone you know has, it can affect your lives and feel like a burden dragging you down, but if you read through this site to find out more about your particular type of acne, and the treatments available for it, then your new buzz word will be ‘hope’.
