Acne is a common skin ailment in which the pores on your skin clog. Pore obstructions cause blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of acne. Pimples are pus-filled, often painful lumps on your skin. Acne vulgaris is the medical term used to describe acne. Acne can be classified as fungal (pityrosporum folliculitis), cystic, hormonal, or nodular.

Symptoms

Acne symptoms on the skin include:

• Pimples (pustules)

• Papules

• Blackheads

• Whiteheads

• Nodules

• Cysts

Causes

Acne is caused by clogged hair follicles and pores. Your hair follicles are tiny tubes that contain a strand of your hair. There are many glands that empty into the hair follicles. A clog occurs when too much debris accumulates inside your hair follicles. Your pores may clog with:

• Sebum: An oily substance that forms a protective barrier for your skin.

• Bacteria: Your skin naturally contains small amounts of bacteria. If you have an excessive amount of bacteria, your pores can become clogged.

• Dead skin cells: Your skin cells shed frequently to make space for new cells to grow. When your skin sheds dead skin cells, they can get stuck in your hair follicles.

Diagnosis

Acne can be diagnosed with a skin examination. During this examination, the provider will thoroughly inspect your skin to learn more about your symptoms. They may also question about the risks associated with acne. Your healthcare practitioner will not need to undertake any diagnostic testing for acne, but they may recommend tests to rule out any underlying disorders if you have sudden, severe acne outbreaks, especially if you are an adult.

Treatment

There are numerous approaches to treating acne. Treatment options vary depending on your age, acne kind, and severity. To treat your skin, your doctor may advise you to take oral medications, use topical medications, or undergo medicated therapies. Acne therapy aims to prevent new pimples from emerging while also healing existing skin imperfections.

• Topical acne medications: Your doctor may advise you to treat your acne with a topical treatment. These drugs can be applied straight to your skin, much like lotion or moisturizer. These could include products with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), antibiotics, or dapsone.

• Oral acne medications: Oral acne medicines are pills you take by mouth to treat acne. Oral acne treatments may include antibiotics, isotretinoin (Amnesteem®, Claravis®, and Sotret®), contraception, and hormonal therapy.

• Additional acne therapies: If topical or oral drugs do not work for your acne, or if you have acne scars, your doctor may offer a variety of acne therapies to clear your skin, such as steroids, lasers, and chemical peels.

Prevention

Acne cannot be completely prevented, particularly during hormonal changes, but you can reduce your risk of developing acne by:

• Wash your face every day with warm water and a facial cleanser.

• Use an oil-free moisturizer.

• Wearing noncomedogenic makeup and removing it at the end of the day.

• Keep your hands away from your face.

Conclusion

Acne is a prevalent yet treatable skin disorder. Individuals can acquire cleaner skin and avoid recurrent breakouts by knowing their origins and adhering to an appropriate skincare and treatment strategy. There are several options for combating acne and maintaining good skin, including over-the-counter treatments, prescription drugs, and lifestyle adjustments. If acne persists despite attempts, seeing a dermatologist is the best way to find an appropriate remedy.