To millions of teenagers around the world currently going through puberty, acne is an absolute nightmare. To adults who suffer with acne it is often annoying and slightly embarrassing.
Some of the more common terms for acne include; pimples, zits, oil pockets, blackheads and whiteheads. However, the most accurate term is Acne.
Acne is a skin condition in which tiny hair follicles under the skin or pores in the skin get clogged with oil and debris, breading grounds for bacterial growth.
Often painful lesions form, usually starting out under the skins surface and rising forming a bump also known as a pimple.
Typically within a few days if the acne lesion has not been scratched or touched it will have formed a white head near the centers surface, surrounded by deep red or pink discoloration.
Some acne lesions are extremely painful. Most people break the acne lesion when it appears white on top; when this happens the toxins or white pustule liquids are pushed out to the skins surface with the pore-blocking core that has been the heart of the inflammation. Many acne lesions will bleed intensely if they have been popped.
Acne can often times be cleared up or at least controlled by the use of over the counter creams, designed specifically for the treatment of acne. The actual cause of acne is unknown.
While medical professionals still work on this concept millions of people around the world are forced to deal with the emotional turmoil that comes from having a face that represent a pepperoni pizza.
Often many cases of acne are so severe that over the counter medications do not work as an effective treatment. If this sounds like you or someone you know its time to visit your physician or dermatologist immediately before things get even worse for your skin.
A medication that will be more effective usually must be prescribed. With the fact that acne is a skin disease, in severe cases, it can also leave serious scars.
Acne lesions often form on the face, forehead, and neck. However, acne can also form on the back, shoulders and in some cases the chest.
The scientific term acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, although there are others.
Acne lesions left untreated, are considered slow healing, as well as unsightly. When acne lesions form on the shoulders or back they are also considered more painful; than if they were on the neck or face yet they are better hidden from the world, a trade of sorts I suppose.
Another point to consider is that acne left untreated can lead to horrible scarring especially on the face and back.
Some forms of acne itch intensely causing the individual to scratch them almost as if they were a mosquito bit. This only makes the affected area worse, more difficult to heal and far more likely to spread infection and lead to further more serious acne breakouts.
Any form of acne should be treated as soon as possible to speed the process of healing and greatly reduce the chances of life-long scarring to occur.