Acne
Acne
vulgaris (cystic acne or simply 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. 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. 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
accrues during puberty, regardless of sex. For most people, acne diminishes over
time and tends to disappear — or at the very least decreases — by age 25. 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.
Some of
the large nodules were previously called "cysts" and the term nodulocystic has
been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne. 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.
Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than does common
acne.
Aside
from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem
and in very extreme cases, depression or suicide. 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
long-term impact to individuals.
The term acne comes from a mutation of the Greek ἀκμή (akmē),
literally "point, edge", but in the sense of a "skin eruption" in the writings
of Aëtius Amidenus. Used by itself, the term "acne" refers to the presence of
pustules and papules. 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.
The term "acne rosacea" is a
synonym for rosacea, however some individuals may have almost no acne comedones
associated with their rosacea and therefore prefer the term rosacea. Chloracne
is associated with exposure to polyhalogenated compounds.
Signs and
symptoms
Typical features of acne
include: seborrhea (increased oil-sebum secretion), comedones (blackheads and
whiteheads), papules (pinheads), pustules (pimples), nodules (large papules),
and possibly scarring. The appearance of acne varies with skin color. It may
result in psychological and social problems.
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.
Physical acne scars are often
referred to as "ice pick" scars. This is because the scars tend to cause an
indentation in the skin's surface. There is 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.
vulgaris (cystic acne or simply 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. 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. 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
accrues during puberty, regardless of sex. For most people, acne diminishes over
time and tends to disappear — or at the very least decreases — by age 25. 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.
Some of
the large nodules were previously called "cysts" and the term nodulocystic has
been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne. 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.
Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than does common
acne.
Aside
from scarring, its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem
and in very extreme cases, depression or suicide. 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
long-term impact to individuals.
The term acne comes from a mutation of the Greek ἀκμή (akmē),
literally "point, edge", but in the sense of a "skin eruption" in the writings
of Aëtius Amidenus. Used by itself, the term "acne" refers to the presence of
pustules and papules. 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.
The term "acne rosacea" is a
synonym for rosacea, however some individuals may have almost no acne comedones
associated with their rosacea and therefore prefer the term rosacea. Chloracne
is associated with exposure to polyhalogenated compounds.
Signs and
symptoms
Typical features of acne
include: seborrhea (increased oil-sebum secretion), comedones (blackheads and
whiteheads), papules (pinheads), pustules (pimples), nodules (large papules),
and possibly scarring. The appearance of acne varies with skin color. It may
result in psychological and social problems.
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.
Physical acne scars are often
referred to as "ice pick" scars. This is because the scars tend to cause an
indentation in the skin's surface. There is 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.
