What's the Scoop on Acne?

Acne is a skin condition brought about by a multitude of factors that all play a role to its occurrence. It starts off with an excess production of oil on the skin due to the over activity of body's skin glands. The body's hormonal chaos may lead to the plugging and obstruction of the pores. When these oils intermingle with the dead skin cells that line up the pores and the grime that accumulates from the environment, outbreaks may occur especially when bacteria begins to build up.

Heredity play a part in acne. People whose family members have acne will most possibly develop acne or have children who will develop the condition. The body's internal hormonal system also contributes. This is the reason why teeners are more susceptible to it than adults.

Acne does not only occur on the face, even though it is much more noticeable there. Acne may crop up in numerous parts of the body but the most common is of course is on the neck, the back and on the shoulders.

Types of Acne

There are five different types of acne, or one may also call them stages of acne. The first one is the most common form, acne vulgaris. This is in fact the mild to moderate edition of acne problem. Do not get be befuddled. If your only problems is some zits that you can count with your fingers then this is not your problem. Acne vulgaris involves all the works, whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules, which are quite discernible as they often have a white or a yellow center. In severe cases of acne vulgaris, the person may also experience the occurrence of nodules and even cysts that are filled with pus. These are the forms of acne that when not treated thoroughly may lead to scarring.

An additional form of acne is the Acne Rosacea, which may appear as the red rash that covers the spaces in between pimples and other blemishes. The condition occurs more often in women than in men and may require expert treatment and care compared to Acne Vulgaris.

Acne Conglobata, on the other hand, is more severe as it occurs as an interconnected leasions that are sprinkled with pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. Because of the severity of the condition, this often leads to scarring.

The fourth one is the Acne Fulminans, which is in fact similar to Acne Conglobata except that it occurs abruptly. The acne oozes out and the body is even affected, often resulting in painful muscles and joints. Males are more affected by this than women. To deal with the condition, doctors often propose the use of Accutane, which is very useful in totally stopping the breakouts in general. This on the other hand is not often prescribed and only as a last resort because of the side effects that it can cause in the body especially for women who have just gotten pregnant.

The last type of acne is the Pyroderma Faciale, which can be often seen in women, 20 to 40 yeatrs old. This is in fact quite severe as it often involves the occurrence of nodules, sores and some pustules, which will no doubt all lead to scarring in the future. Still, if treated well, the condition will seldom continue or last for longer than a year. The key is to have it treated as soon as it crops up.