I. What is acne
Acne, also known as pimples and acne, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles. Most believe that its cause is closely related to androgens, sebaceous glands and microorganisms in the hair follicles, as well as a certain genetic predisposition. Acne often afflicts adolescent men and women, and this trouble can sometimes last beyond the age of 35. A study in France showed that the incidence of acne in adult women was as high as 41%, and more and more adults are suffering from the “youthful” face.
Causes
Simply put, the cause of acne is the excessive secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands, which blocks the hair follicles and causes bacterial infection. When the follicles are blocked by sebaceous glands and skin cells, they form what is commonly known as “whitehead” acne, and when the surface is exposed to air and dust, the color turns black, resulting in so-called “blackhead” acne. Once these blocked follicle walls rupture at the surface of the skin, a papule is formed. The rupture in the lower layers of the skin is most likely to lead to cystic acne, which is characterized by scarring or indentations.
Specifically, there are four main areas of concern.
1) Increased secretion of androgens leads to hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands and excessive sebum secretion, which can cause increased synthesis and excretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands.
2) Abnormal keratinization and increased adhesion of keratin-forming cells in the follicular funnel, which can block the opening.
3) Propionibacterium acnes proliferates in the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles and breaks down the sebum.
4) Intense inflammation of the hair follicle sebaceous gland structure destroys the hair follicle.
III. Influencing factors
Acne is often influenced by a variety of factors after its formation.
1) Endocrine: Some female patients’ condition worsens before menstruation.
2) Food: such as consumption of peanuts, chocolate, fried food or vitamin B1, B2, B6, zinc deficiency, etc.
3) Emotion: such as tension, anxiety, lack of sleep can aggravate.
4) Climate: sun exposure, high humidity some patients will worsen.
5) Cosmetics: Many adult women’s acne is related to the abuse of cosmetics.
6) Chemicals: Such as oral or topical use of paracortical hormones, certain cosmetics, industrial oils, PCBs, and certain anti-tuberculosis drugs may cause acne.
7) Genetic factors: Cystic acne is related to genetics.
IV. Clinical manifestations and classification
The disease occurs on the face of young men and women, especially on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and chest and back. The affected area has more oil, enlarged pores, and in some cases, more dandruff. Most of them have no conscious symptoms.
Due to the difference of individual’s constitution, the onset of the disease can be mild or severe, and the duration can be long or short. In light cases, there are only a few white (whiteheads) or black bumps (blackheads), such as the size of a pinpoint millet, which do not hurt or itch; in heavy cases, there can be large red bumps, such as the size of red beans, with the largest being the size of a fava bean, which are very painful and tend to have pus and blood flowing out when washing the face. Commonly occurring areas include the cheeks, forehead, corners of the mouth, chin, neck, back, and forehead. Most people wait until puberty is over and the acne will naturally subside.
Depending on the manifestation of the skin aggregates are divided into the following common types: acne vulgaris, acne papulosa, acne pustulosa, acne sclerosis, acne cystica, acne atrophica, acne aggregata, necrotizing acne, and neonatal acne.
The severity of acne can be further divided according to whether the acne is mainly pimples or pustules or cysts.
V. Treatment of acne (acne treatment)
Some people may say that when puberty is over, acne will naturally subside, so what is the use of treatment?
That is because acne seriously affects the beauty of the appearance, and the impact on the appearance is not only limited to the onset of the period, but may also be a lifelong regret due to the scars left behind. This may also have a negative impact on the psychological development of the patient. Many children become withdrawn and have low self-esteem because of a few pimples on their face. The vast majority of acne patients do not leave obvious marks, but there are a few patients who fail to treat their condition in a timely and reasonable manner due to the severity of their condition, or whose condition is not serious but is not treated and cared for properly, thus causing damage to the skin organism and leaving some sequelae. The two most common sequelae of acne are scarring and pigmentation changes (i.e., permanent changes in skin color).
The main objectives of our acne treatment are: first, to improve the aesthetic and painful symptoms of the child at the onset of acne; and second, to avoid the scarring left by acne. There are two types of scarring left by acne: raised hyperplastic scarring and depressed atrophic scarring, and sometimes the two can exist together in a mixture. However, if the child is not properly squeezed repeatedly, it can often lead to the formation of small depressed scars. If the child does not pay attention to hygiene, it can also cause septic infection, which will most likely leave a larger scar. Of course, the deeper the local inflammation, the more pronounced the scar will be after healing. Regardless of the type of scar, once formed, it is difficult to treat, and the methods generally used, such as grinding, are not very effective and the treatment process is very painful.
The specific treatment of acne is as follows.
1) Pay attention to rest, adjust diet and emotions based on the application of medication.
2) Depending on the type and severity of acne, the treatment method varies greatly. According to the pathogenesis mentioned earlier, treatment drugs are often divided into hormones, anti-keratinizing drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs.
If there are only a few whiteheads or blackheads, retinoid creams such as Dewey Cream and Daphne can be used topically on acne with good results. If there are more large red bumps, smaller doses of oral antibiotics such as erythromycin, memantin, etc. are needed. If scars have formed and new bumps have appeared or there are large cysts, oral retinoids are needed, such as the commonly used vitamin capsules, Tylenol, etc. Of course, the treatment of acne should be tailored to the specific situation of each child in order to achieve good results.
Sixth, acne prevention (as long as youth does not acne)
Although acne is a symbol of youth, a face full of acne does bring more trouble. Many teenagers are more concerned about how to take care of their skin, prevent acne, and stay young without acne.
Individuals in daily life herbal medicine pay attention to the following points.
1, to develop good living habits
Pay attention to personal cleanliness and hygiene, bathe regularly, change clothes regularly, keep the face and hands clean, so that facial sebum is discharged normally.
Wash your face often with warm water, avoid using alkaline soap, and do not use cosmetics with more oil and irritation to avoid further filling of hair follicles and aggravating acne.
Do not squeeze, pinch, or pinch with your hands, as this can cause the inflammatory bacteria to develop deeper and can also cause disfiguring scarring.
After acne occurs, you should go to the hospital to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. You should follow the doctor’s instructions and take the medication and rub the medication carefully.
Do not purchase your own medication and take matters into your own hands. You should never use topical medication containing hormones because one of the adverse effects of hormones is that they cause acne and can make acne more serious.
Skin care products that control oil and moisturize can be used.
The white-collar class should pay more attention to the regularity of life, to strengthen physical exercise, to pay attention to the timely breathing of fresh air, and not to use hands to touch the face. Do not wear heavy makeup, light makeup natural more appropriate.
Pay attention to sun protection, less exposure to the computer.
2. Pay attention to diet
Eat less fat, fatty meat, sexual food to reduce the intake of fat, to light diet is appropriate.
Eat stimulating food such as chili, wine, onion, garlic, etc., because these foods will stimulate sebum secretion. You should eat more vegetables, fruits and light foods.
3. Note that some drugs can aggravate acne
Including some androgen preparations and corticosteroids.
Other drugs include halogenated elements and sodium phenytoin, isoniazid, etc.
4. Maintain an optimistic mood and ensure adequate sleep
Avoid emotional anxiety and tension, maintain an optimistic and happy mood, and recognize that this is a temporary physiological phenomenon.
Pay attention to the combination of work and rest in study and work, don’t have long-term mental tension, and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day.
Keep bowel movements smooth