October 15, 2009

The Different Types and Causes of Acne

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Many people suffer from the medical condition called acne that is characterized by blocked skin pores that result in lesions. Our skin pores can become plugged with sebum because of a variety of reasons that arent entirely understood. Sebum is the natural oil that is produced by our skins sebaceous glands. Dead cells and bacteria become trapped in the plugged pore which results in the lesions that are common to acne.

Scientists and doctors still havent been able to completely agree upon what causes the plugged pores that result in acne. Modern theories point to a combination of factors that include genetics, hormone changes, and stress. It was believed that diet was a strong component to acne, but most evidence today suggests that hormones and stress are more likely to be the culprits.

People usually suffer from the most common lesions called ?comedones. These comedones come in two basic varieties, ?white heads and ?black heads. A white head is produced when a plugged pore begins to bulge outward from the skin. This bulge is due to bacteria, dead skin cells, and other contaminants that have become trapped inside the pore. This bulging dome shape often takes on a white appearance thus the name ?white head. On the pother hand, black heads are simply comedones that have become opened, revealing the dark follicle plug within.

Papules or microcomedones are a less common form of acne lesion. These pimples are basically small comedones that form from localized cellular reactions to the processes that cause this affliction. These form of pimples usually occur in clusters and can be felt as a series of little bumps along the skin surface.

Pustules, nodules and cysts can form in more severe forms of acne. A pustule is similar to a normal comedone, but it larger. Its size is due to a higher amount of dead white cells, or pus, trapped inside the plugged sebaceous follicle. Nodules are a more severe form of papules that extend deeper into the skin tissue and result in large raised legions that are usually inflamed, and painful to touch. Cysts are very large fluid filled sacs that can result from pustules or nodules. These forms of acne can leave scars and are sometimes very disfiguring but none of them are dangerous or life threatening.