Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Acne

Acne vulgaris (or acne) is a
common human skin disease,
characterized by areas of skin
with seborrhea (scaly red skin),
comedones (blackheads and
whiteheads), papules (pinheads),
pustules (pimples), nodules (large
papules) and possibly scarring.
[1] Acne affects mostly skin with
the densest population of
sebaceous follicles; these areas
include the face, the upper part
of the chest, and the back. Severe
acne is inflammatory, but acne
can also manifest in
noninflammatory forms.[2] The
lesions are caused by changes in
pilosebaceous units, skin
structures consisting of a hair
follicle and its associated
sebaceous gland, changes that
require androgen stimulation.
Acne occurs most commonly
during adolescence, and often
continues into adulthood. In
adolescence, acne is usually
caused by an increase in
testosterone, which people of
both genders accrue during
puberty.[3] For most people, acne
diminishes over time and tends
to disappear — or at the very
least decrease — after one
reaches one's early twenties.
There is, however, no way to
predict how long it will take to
disappear entirely, and some
individuals will carry this
condition well into their thirties,
forties, and beyond.[4]
Some of the large nodules were
previously called " cysts" and the
term nodulocystic has been used
to describe severe cases of
inflammatory acne.[5] The
"cysts," or boils that accompany
cystic acne, can appear on the
buttocks, groin, and armpit area,
and anywhere else where sweat
collects in hair follicles and
perspiration ducts.[6] Cystic acne
affects deeper skin tissue than
does common acne.[7]
Aside from scarring, its main
effects are psychological, such as
reduced self-esteem[8] and,
according to at least one study,
depression or suicide.[9] Acne
usually appears during
adolescence, when people
already tend to be most socially
insecure. Early and aggressive
treatment is therefore advocated
by some to lessen the overall
impact to individuals.[8]
Terminology
The term acne comes from a
corruption of the Greek ἀκμή
(akmē), literally "point, edge", but
in the sense of a "skin
eruption"[10] in the writings of
Aëtius Amidenus. Used by itself,
the term "acne" refers to the
presence of pustules and
papules.[11] The most common
form of acne is known as acne
vulgaris, meaning "common
acne". Many teenagers get this
type of acne. Use of the term
"acne vulgaris" implies the
presence of comedones.[12]
The term "acne rosea" is a
synonym for rosacea, however
some individuals may have
almost no acne comedones
associated with their rosacea
and prefer therefore the term
rosacea.[13] Chloracne is
associated with exposure to
polyhalogenated compounds.
Signs and symptoms
Typical features of acne include:
seborrhea (scaly red skin),
comedones (blackheads and
whiteheads), papules (pinheads),
pustules (pimples), nodules (large
papules) and, possibly scarring.
[1] It presents somewhat
differently in people with dark
skin.
Scars
Acne scars are the result of
inflammation within the dermis
brought on by acne. The scar is
created by the wound trying to
heal itself resulting in too much
collagen in one spot.[14]
Physical acne scars are often
referred to as "Icepick" scars.
This is because the scars tend to
cause an indentation in the
skin's surface. There are a range
of treatments available. Although
quite rare, the medical condition
Atrophia Maculosa Varioliformis
Cutis also results in "acne-like"
depressed scars on the face.
Ice pick scars: Deep pits, that are
the most common and a classic
sign of acne scarring.
Box car scars: Angular scars that
usually occur on the temple and
cheeks, and can be either
superficial or deep, these are
similar to chickenpox scars.
Rolling scars: Scars that give the
skin a wave-like appearance.
Hypertrophic scars: Thickened, or
keloid scars.
Pigmentation
Pigmented scars is a slightly
misleading term, as it suggests a
change in the skin's
pigmentation and that they are
true scars; however, neither is
true. Pigmented scars are usually
the result of nodular or cystic
acne (the painful 'bumps' lying
under the skin). They often leave
behind an inflamed red mark.
Often, the pigmentation scars
can be avoided simply by
avoiding aggravation of the
nodule or cyst. Pigmentation
scars nearly always fade with
time taking between three
months to two years to do so,
although can last forever if
untreated.

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