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Adult Acne / Pimples :- Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Surgery, Home Care and Home Remedies of Acne / Pimples

Skin Problems can be a nuisance but that are not life-threatening vast majority of skin problems are minor, self-limiting, and pose no major threat to health usually it is reasonable for one to wait for sometime to see if the problem goes away by itself diagnosing skin problems may require doctor's help, especially the first time you have a particular ailment.

Definition of Acne / Pimples

Acne is a superficial skin eruption caused by a combi­nation of factors. It is trig­gered by the hormonal changes of puberty and is most common in children with oily skin. The in­creased skin oils accumulate below keratin plugs in the openings of the hair follicles and Gil glands. In this stag­nant area below the plug, se­cretions accumulate, and bacteria grow. These normal bacteria cause changes in the secretions that make them irritating to the sur­rounding skin. The result is usually a pimple or some"" times a larger pocket of se­cretions, or cyst. Blackheads are formed when air causes a chemical change-"oxida­tion" -of keratin plugs; the irritation of the skin is minimal.

In other words, acne is the term for pimples or black heads that commonly form on the face, chest, upper back, or shoulders.

Women get pimples just before the menstrual periods. Other cause of acne can be stress, some birth control pills.

Symptoms of Acne/ Pimples

The common symptoms of acne include persistent, recurrent red spots or swellings on the skin known as pimples. Some of the other symptoms include dark spots with open pores at the center, which are known as blackheads, bulged spots under the skin without openings, which are known as whiteheads, and red swellings or lumps filled with pus, which are known as pustules. Inflamed fluid-filled lumps under the skin known, as cysts are also a symptom of acne. These cysts can become as large as an inch across

Causes of Acne / Pimples

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne.

Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the disorder. Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together, producing a plug

Other causes of acne are as follows:

Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts

Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin

Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars

Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity

Squeezing or picking at blemishes

Hard scrubbing of the skin.

WHAT DOES THE DOCTOR DO

The doctor will advice about hygiene and the use of medications. Several new topical preparations such as retinoic acid (Retin-A) and benzoyl peroxide have been found helpful; they act by fostering skin peeling, which prevents plugging of the hair follicies. This peeling is not noticeable if the medication is used properly.

In resistant cases, an antibiotic may be prescribed to be taken by mouth. Some antibiotics for application to skin are also prescribed.

What is Acne / Pimples Surgery

Acne surgery is the term generally applied to the doctor's removal of black heads with a suction device and an eyedropper. Large developing cysts are sometimes arrested with injection of steroids. Such procedures should are required only in severe cases. Acne surgery is usually done on back than the face.

General Home Care of Acne / Pimples

Cleanliness is essential wash your face, shoulders, chest, and back with a very. Gentle soap

Avoid drying soaps, such as deodorant soaps. Always rinse well

Keep long hair off your face and shoulders, and wash it daily.

Don't squeeze pimples and black­heads. This can cause infection and scarring.

Benzoyl peroxide gel or cream, a nonprescription medication, is one of the best treatments for acne.

Start with the lowest strength, and increase the strength if your skin is able to tolerate it. Apply the

medic­ation sparingly once a day, half an hour after washing. It may take several weeks to work and

may cause mild redness and dryness never use more than 5 percent benzyl peroxide unless recommended by doctor.

Natural sunlight or sunlamp is also effective in acne cure.

Steam may help to open clogged pores, so hot compressions are sometimes helpful.

It has scan evidence that some foods may aggravate the problem acne, despite popular belief.

Use only water based lotions and cosmetics that do not clog skin pores, and only if they don't aggravate acne.

Controlling stress may help reduce acne flare-ups.

Home Remedies for Acne / Pimples

Orange peel has been found very effective in the treatment of acne. Pound the orange peel with water on apiece stone and apply to acne affected areas.

Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes, and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes has been found effective. It is the best tonic for the skin of the face. Its regular use prevents pimples and blackheads.

Garlic is very effective to cure acne. Rub with raw garlic several times a day. Garlic is known to have cured the toughest of acne problem. The external use of garlic helps to clear the skin of spots, pimples and boils.

A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is another effective home remedy for pimples and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after thoroughly washing it every night before retiring. Mint juice can be used in a similar manner as coriander juice.

Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour.  Wash the face with fresh water.   About 15 days application should provide the cure. 

Apply toothpaste on the pimples at nighttime just before bed,and wash off in the morning. Do several times until acne is gone.

For women, you should always remove all your makeup at night, wash your face completely and try to get all the make up off. You could also use special makeup made of sensitive skin that doesn't use oil as a base. Place strawberry leaves on the acne, the alkalinity helps to reduce the swelling.

Blend cucumber and apply the paste on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevent acne.

Make a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the acne, pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water.

Mix groundnut oil with an equal amount of fresh lime juice and apply on face. Leave for 10-15 minutes and wash.

Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on affected area. Leave for 15-20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

Fenugreek is a useful remedy for acne. Make a paste made of the leaves of this vegetable, apply over the face every night before going to bed and wash with warm water in the morning, it helps in preventing pimples and blackheads.

Two vitamins, namely, niacin and vitamin A have been used successfully to treat acne. Vitamin therapy should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin, three times daily, and 50,000 international units of vitamin A, three times daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once daily. This therapy should be continued for a month.

When to Call a Health Professional

Despite several months of home treatment, if acne get worse.

If you notice severe red or purple inflammation, cysts, or nodules under the skin.

If scars develop as the acne heals .