ACNE
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Acne vulgaris, the medical term for
common acne, is the most common skin disease. It affects nearly 17
million people in the United States. While acne can arise at any age,
it usually begins at puberty and worsens during adolescence. Nearly
85% of people develop acne at some time between the ages of 12-25
years. Up to 20% of women develop mild acne. It is also found in
some newborns.
The sebaceous glands lie just beneath the skin's surface. They
produce an oil called sebum, the skin's natural moisturizer. These
glands and the hair follicles within which they are found are called
sebaceous follicles. These follicles open onto the skin through
pores. At puberty, increased levels of androgens (male hormones)
cause the glands to produce too much sebum. When excess sebum
combines with dead, sticky skin cells, a hard plug, or comedo, forms
that blocks the pore. Mild noninflammatory acne consists of the two
types of comedones, whiteheads and blackheads.
Moderate and severe inflammatory types of acne result after the
plugged follicle is invaded by Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria
that normally lives on the skin. A pimple forms when the damaged
follicle weakens and bursts open, releasing sebum, bacteria, and
skin and white blood cells into the surrounding tissues. Inflamed
pimples near the skin's surface are called papules; when deeper,
they are called pustules. The most severe type of acne consists of
cysts (closed sacs) and nodules (hard swellings). Scarring occurs
when new skin cells are laid down to replace damaged cells.
The most common sites of acne are the face, chest, shoulders, and
back since these are the parts of the body where the most sebaceous
follicles are found. |
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