Friday, 21 November 2014

Learning About the Distinctive Types of Acne

Author: Minty Cavet
Having acne is really challenging. If it only had physical effects, it would probably be easier to deal with acne. But like most diseases, it has emotional and social consequences as well. No one can really be proud of zits on their faces.

A lot of people tend to pop the pimple, blackhead or whitehead off their skin. This provides a certain amount of relief to the acne victim. However, this is not safe. There are several kinds of acne and you need the expert diagnosis of a dermatologist. Only that person can prescribe the appropriate medication for your case.

Although acne is in no way a simple case of skin disorder (just ask those who are suffering from even one zit on their nose right now). However, there are cases which are relatively less demanding than others.

The type which does not require a lot of high-end antibiotics is known as Acne Vulgaris. Under this category are the common pimple (pustule), papules, blackhead and whitehead. All these contain bacteria, dead skin cells and sebum (oil). Although it seems easier to burst the bumps, it may cause even more infection.

There are over the counter ointments and creams which you can use. There are even mild soaps and foam washes that can help you in this case. It is advisable that you ask your dermatologist before using any of these products.

Nodules and Cysts are the two more serious types of Acne Vulgaris. The first one is basically a painful bump without an eye. This type cannot be ‘popped\' like the usual zit and may last longer on your skin. The latter is very difficult to treat. If you try to deal with this with your fingers, scarring may ensue. Cortisone injection may be the only source of relief.

The more severe kinds of Acne includes the following: Acne Conglobata, Acne Fulminans, Acne Rosacea Fulminans (Pyoderma Faciale), Acne Inversa (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) and Gram Negative Folliculitis.

Acne Conglobata and Fulminans are quite the same, except that the latter is more acute in nature and is accompanied by joint pain and fever. Both are resistant to certain antibiotic therapies and must be remedied by skilled doctors. Accutane is said to be a good medication for these two.

The three other types of Acne are even worse. Acne Inversa, for instance, display great abscesses rather than just small bumps on the skin. Gram Negative Folliculutis is so uncommon that medications are rare as well.

The good news is all of these can be treated. Not immediately, mind. There really is no magic cure for this kind of skin disease. Patience and sheer determination is very much needed when you want an end to Acne. Besides those two, a certain diagnosis is required.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/learning-about-the-distinctive-types-of-acne-4573125.html
About the Author
Minty Cavet has been writing articles for many years now on a broad range of topics. Minty likes to concentrate on popular subjects that are often in the press. She spends most of her time researching particular markets and then writing reviews on her findings. Take a look at some of Minty\'s most recent articles on types of acne and acne scar removal.

Acne - Understanding Acne and Its Prevention

Author: W. Darren -
Everyone, at one time or another, has experienced having a pimple. A pimple is fairly common. You cannot avoid it. Even movie stars experience a blemish or two every now and then. There are creams for pimples that you can apply and it will instantly clear a pimple but first let us know some details about Acne.

What is Acne?

There are people who do not only suffer a couple of pimples but have hordes of them all over the face, from whiteheads and blackheads. When this happens, the blemishes do not easily clear up. This is what you call serious acne and this requires proper treatment. Acne does not just occur in one area of the body. It does not just show up on your face. You could have acne on your shoulders, neck and back. The causes of acne can vary from one person to another. Teenagers are more prone to developing acne. However, there are people who still suffer from acne way beyond their adolescent years. The condition does not discriminate against race, age or sex. It affects everyone equally. Curiously though, acne tends to affect women more than men.

The proper medical name for acne is acne vulgaris. This is a skin condition that is characterized by the appearances of skin lesions consisting of whiteheads, blackheads and often, cysts. The causes of acne vulgaris vary; however, the proximate cause is the clogging of pores.

Acne vulgaris is common among people who are experiencing hormonal changes. This is why teenagers or adolescents suffer more from acne. Pregnant women also suffer from acne. Many women also experience acne breakouts before their menstrual periods. These are the periods when the body produces excess oil or sebum. Sebum is naturally produced by the skin in order to keep the skin lubricated. However, there are times when the skin produces excess oil which then causes clogging. This prevents the dead skin cells and dirt from being shed off which causes acne to form.

Daily Skin Care to Prevent Acne

There are people who will likely find it difficult to get rid of acne. In truth, it is actually far easier to prevent acne than to cure it. If you have suffered from acne and you have a teenage son or daughter who is just about to go through his or her adolescence years, it is a good idea to prevent acne early than actually try to battle with the skin condition once it occurs. Remember that acne can cause tremendous psychological effect on the person suffering from it. It could rob a person of his self-esteem. It could cause depression and a lot of stress. People who are suffering from it may also find it difficult to socialize with other people.

To prevent acne, you should instill a habit of proper skin care. Having a daily skin care routine will help anyone avoid acne. Skin care routine must include daily skin cleansing.

Cleansing starts with properly picking out the right bar of soap. A harsh soap can cause skin dryness and this skin condition is more likely prone to skin breakouts. Nowadays, you\'d find numerous cleansers being sold in the market. Make sure that you choose the cleanser that suits your skin type.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/acne-understanding-acne-and-its-prevention-461903.html
About the Author
The author is an online medical researcher and webmaster of Top Acne Products and Best Acne Treatments. Related article: Acne Products - Top 3 Acne Products Review.

Thursday, 20 November 2014

5 Antibiotics For Acne Cure - Reasons To Be Cautious Using Them

Author: Abhishek Agarwal
What causes acne?

When puberty begins, young people begin to experience a wide variety of developmental physical, physiological and emotional changes. The obvious physical changes include beard and muscle development in young males, and young females, with the onset of menses, also start to develop breasts and wider hips. In addition, the normal progressions toward adulthood produce rapid hormone changes frequently causing mood swings and the often embarrassing side effect of Acne Vulgaris.
More commonly known as just simply acne, breakouts or pimples, Acne Vulgaris is caused by an overproduction of the natural skin oil glands. When this excess oil combines with dead skin cells and surface dust, it forms hardened blockages in the ducts leading to the surface of the skin-these are usually called blackheads or whiteheads. Sometimes these blockages produce a localized infection, which manifests as pimples or Acne breakouts just under the surface of the skin. Of course, there are other factors which contribute to the development of Acne breakouts, including diet and genetics, but dermatologists have a great many options available to them for its treatment.

Medical research and breakthroughs

The treatment of Acne has become a multi-million dollar industry. Although Acne may seem very superficial and irrelevant in comparison to many other diseases, its effects on the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of adolescents can have far reaching consequences. The scars left by acne is one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among young adults, and has long reaching effects even for adults. Because of this, dermatologists and medical researchers are constantly working toward the development of better treatment options.

Unfortunately, there is no 'magic bullet' in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris because there are many different factors that contribute to its development. However, medical practitioners have been employing several different oral medications for its treatment. Some of these have undesirable side effects, and some cannot be used under certain conditions (such as during pregnancy or before a specific age) but they are often effective in controlling Acne.

Examples of commonly prescribed medications and their effects.

The following is a list of commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of Acne. While these treatments have positive outcomes for many users, there are side effects which should be considered when taking them. In addition, no one drug will work for everybody, so sometimes an Acne sufferer may have to try several treatment options. It must be noted that this list is neither exhaustive nor completely comprehensive but is designed as an overview of currently available treatment options.

Antibiotic Acne Medication

Taken orally, various antibiotic medications have been employed in the treatment of acne. Research has shown that many antibiotics ameliorate Acne and are often prescribed for persistent, moderate-to-severe acne. As with all these medications, they should be administered only by a qualified physician.

1. Cortiscosteroids: This potent antibiotic treatment should only be prescribed for very severe cases of acne, and should only be taken for short periods of time. The metabolic side-effects of steroids have been well-documented and if taken in large quantities, or for long periods of time, may have long-term effects on the reproductive capabilities of young people. As a result, they are not recommended for most cases of acne treatment.

2. Tetracycline: Tetracycline has been the most commonly prescribed acne treatment for many years. It has had good results for moderate-to-severe acne. The usual dosages range from 500 to 1000 mg per day, and dosage is decreased as the skin condition improves. Tetracycline has been associated with decreased bone development and teeth staining, and therefore it is not appropriate for children under the age of eight. Due to its effects on bone development, it is also not an appropriate choice for pregnant or nursing women. Other common side effects include increased sun sensitivity, diarrhea and nausea.

3. Minocycline and Doxycycline: Derived from Tetracycline, research suggests that these drugs may be more effective in the treatment of Acne. Both drugs have higher concentrations in the tissues and have been associated with more effective and more rapid improvements in visible Acne. Doxycycline may cause sore throats or heart burn and must be taken with large amounts of water. Minocycline has been associated with drug induced lupus symptoms but is the least likely of the Cycline drugs to induce photosensitivity. However, skin pigmentation problems do occur with both these medications. The higher concentrations of both drugs in the tissues may also lead to liver reactions. Neither is appropriate for use in young children or for pregnant or nursing women.

4. Erythromycin: Available in both oral and topical applications, is a safer alternative for pregnant women and young children. It has the advantage antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment results, reducing both the cause and the effects of acne. Its oral form is easy to use but may cause some gastrointestinal upset. It is also a good alternative for those who are allergic to penicillin and the cyclines.

5. Isotretinoin: Derived from Retinoid A, this antibiotic is a revolutionary new treatment that has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of severe and treatment resistant Acne. Clinical trials have shown it to be beneficial for all forms of Acne, but there are many side affects attributed to Isotretinoin. These include severe effects such as birth defects, excessive dryness of mucous membranes and the skin, depression, inflammatory bowel disease and erectile dysfunction. There are several other milder effects which should be thoroughly discussed with a physician before this drug is prescribed. In addition, there is disagreement among medical practitioners concerning the dosage levels needed for optimum effects and the long term effects are still under investigation.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/5-antibiotics-for-acne-cure-reasons-to-be-cautious-using-them-708958.html
About the Author
Abhishek is a Skincare expert and he has got some great Acne Prevention Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 115 Pages Ebook, 'How To Win Your War Against Acne!' from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/65/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.