For millions, this condition has stopped
them from getting that perfect girlfriend or posing for that lovely picture.
Acne (or pimples, spot or zit) is a common
skin condition in which the skin pores become clogged, forming pimples which
become inflamed and infected pus (abscess).
Although it has spoilt the perfect dinners
for many, it is surprisingly very easy to control despite the brouhaha over it.
Acne tends to develop in teenagers as a result of the interaction among
hormones, oils and bacteria found on the skin and in the hair (like
Propionibacterium acnes).
During puberty, sebaceous (oil-producing)
glands in the skin become hyperactive and the excess oil blocks the skin pores
with the formation of what is called a comedo. Bacteria in the pores break fats
in the skin further irritating it. It is worse in winter and better in summer,
because of the sun.
Most form on the face, neck, back, chest
and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young
adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars, and many consider it
'uncool'.
Now, it is important to state that diet has
little or no effect on acne even though some think they are sensitive to
certain foods. But, stopping the food and taking it after a few weeks can help
determine if there is a correlation. That said, you can buy a bottle of
groundnuts on your way to school this morning...lol.
It may also appear during menses in young
women and may either increase or decrease during pregnancy. Teenagers using
anabolic steroids are going to worsen their cases, and the same goes for some
cosmetics. Stress can also worsen it so stop worrying!
WHAT TO DO:
Now, if you want to surprise your
girlfriend this new year with a flawless face or reduce the sadness of your
boyfriend (LOL!), you can make use of the following:
-►Try as much
as possible not to touch the face or affected areas (difficult ba?)
-►Washing the
face has no effect except to improve appearance. However, dabbing warm water
over the face compresses the comedones and makes them easier to remove. Far
from preventing acne, frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause
them to become clogged. Your doctor will show you the
correct way to remove a comedone with the use of a loop extractor or a sterile
needle. Stop that pinch-bursting joor!
-►Drugs like
isotretinoin and antibiotics such as tetracyclin and clindamycin can be taken (see your doctor).
-►Sunlight
can also help as it dries the skin and reduces scaling. But if you are placed
on tretinoin, do not expose yourself to the sun to prevent severe skin
irritation.
-►For a woman
who develops severe pimples during her menstrual
period, an oral contraceptive may help but therapy may take 4-6 months for
results to show.
SUMMARY: Nothing is as good as fixing an
appointment with your dermatologist. And stop taking pimples serious. Cos it
isn't!
-MedlinePlus/MMM/Wikipedia/Acne.org
Please Ħ̀́̀́̀☺w do I get a good dermatologist in Lagos.Thanks
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