ACNE

Symptoms

• Site: mostly face, neck, chest, shoulder and back
• Mild: Whiteheads and blackheads which when infected can turn into pimple
• Severe: many pimples over large area or few but large pimples
• Pain, scarring and pigmentation

Causes

A result of variety of factors:

• Genetic
• Infection: with Propionebacterium acnes
• Hormonal: Thus seen around puberty and premenstruation
• Diet: High sugar containing diet are suspected
• Cosmetics: oil based products, facial massage
• Others: Stress, drugs

Preventions

• Skin hygiene: Regular gentle cleansing with soap and water and avoiding oil-based cosmetics
• Diet: not necessary  to restrict diet
• Avoidance of stress

Complications

Severe forms of acne lead to scarring and pigmentation of face which can lead to low self-esteem and even depression in some.

Treatment

• Mild: Retinoic acid gel/cream

• Benzoyl peroxide/azelaic acid/antibiotic creams can be added

• Moderate: Oral antibiotics and retinoic acid cream/gel
• Severe: oral retinoic acid

*Oral retinoic acids are highly teratogenic so should be avoided in pregnancy and are also toxic to liver. So they should be used only after consulting a doctor.

• Other : Cryotherapy, Laser therapy, phototherapy