Acne | |
| Acne or acne vulgaris is a chronic skin condition affecting mainly the face and back. It occurs more in males than in females and is characterised by blackheads - or comedones - small lumps at the openings of sweat glands which have a dark plug in the centre. If this lump becomes infected or inflamed it gets larger and a pulsule or pimple develops. If these lesions are very extensive, large areas can be scarred. The condition usually begins at puberty when sexual development commences and the cause and treatment can be linked to the male sexual hormone. Untreated acne may persist throughout adulthood. The main aim of treatment in the early stages is to achieve a dry skin. You must get the grease out of the skin by using soft soaps and really hot water. Clean the affected skin thoroughly night and morning. Your chemist will be able to advise you on medications which have a drying and antiseptic effect on the early stages of the condition. Cut out greasy foods, dairy products and sugar, lollies and sweets of all types. Get out in the sun and surf. Women should avoid greasy cosmetics. Moderate to severe acne is best treated by a skin specialist who will prescribe local applications. For women, supervised hormonal treatment can be part of the cure. The contraceptive pill can help acne, but unfortunately it is the strong pill which is most effective and this may create other problems. Long term oral antibiotic treatment can prevent recurrences of acne but this treatment also has to be carefully supervised. The latest treatment which the specialist might consider is isotretinoin which is available for use in severe cystic acne which is not responding to a conventional therapy. However, this substance has major side effects and has to be used cautiously. It must not be used during pregnancy or if pregnancy is possible. |
