Whitehead (acne)
| Acne | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Acne vulgaris |
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| Acne vulgaris in an 18-year-old male during puberty | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, scarring |
| Complications | Anxiety, reduced self-esteem, depression, thoughts of suicide |
| Usual onset | Puberty |
| Risk factors | Genetics |
| Differential diagnosis | Folliculitis, rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa, miliaria |
| Treatment | Lifestyle changes, medications, medical procedures |
| Medication | Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics, birth control pills, isotretinoin |
| Frequency | 633 million affected (2015) |
| Classification | |
|---|---|
| External resources |
Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, is a long-term skin disease that occurs when hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin. It is characterized by blackheads or whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and possible scarring. It primarily affects areas of the skin with a relatively high number of oil glands, including the face, upper part of the chest, and back. The resulting appearance can lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem and, in extreme cases, depression or thoughts of suicide.
Genetics is thought to be the primary cause of acne in 80% of cases. The role of diet and cigarette smoking is unclear, and neither cleanliness nor exposure to sunlight appear to play a part. During puberty, in both sexes, acne is often brought on by an increase in hormones such as testosterone. A frequent factor is excessive growth of the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, which is normally present on the skin.
Many treatment options for acne are available, including lifestyle changes, medications, and medical procedures. Eating fewer simple carbohydrates such as sugar may help.Treatments applied directly to the affected skin, such as azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid, are commonly used.Antibiotics and retinoids are available in formulations that are applied to the skin and taken by mouth for the treatment of acne. However, resistance to antibiotics may develop as a result of antibiotic therapy. Several types of birth control pills help against acne in women.Isotretinoin pills are usually reserved for severe acne due to greater potential side effects. Early and aggressive treatment of acne is advocated by some in the medical community to decrease the overall long-term impact to individuals.
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