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One of the skin’s main functions is protection, and one of the ways it does that is by producing sebum. During teenage and early adolescent years, there is a release of excessive sexual hormones, which also leads to excessive sebum production. This clogs the pores, leading to accumulation of sebum within the skin layers. There are also bacteria trapped within this, leading to infections. Symptoms could include blister formation with pustules, redness, and severe pain. In people with naturally oily skin, this can be a major problem, with large acne which may leave marks when healed.

Causes:
Excessive hormones (androgens).
In girls, correlation with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and polycystic ovaries,  indicating an association with increased hormone levels.

Management: As it is easy to identify if you are prone to developing acne, steps should be taken to avoid developing acne or reducing its severity once they appear.

1. Touching acne is a strict no-no. There is a great tendency to keep picking at it, but this should be avoided as the infection can spread to other unaffected areas.
2. Using a cold towel or soft cotton cloth can help in soothing the area
3. Ice cubes can also be used on the acne. This will also reduce blood supply and curtail increase in severity
4. Acne is proven to be an indication of stress, and so stress management is very essential.
5. Keep calm by various methods – meditation, music, yoga, exercise
6. A regular exercise routine also is very helpful. The sweating during the exercise helps in clearing up the pores and keeping the skin clean. Sebum is more often cleared out this way, leading to reduced acne
7. Lifestyle (sleep and diet): A healthy eating pattern with reduced oily foods and sugars and more amounts of fresh foods is highly helpful. A good amount of sleep is also beneficial for overall skin health.
8. Garments which come in touch with facial skin like pillow covers should be washed with gentle soap
9. Regular skin care routine should be maintained including frequent washing, regular moisturising, and periodic exfoliating.
10. Avoid too many chemicals and adhere to a regimen using as many natural substances as possible.
11. Mild gels or lotions like tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene are useful in controlling acne
12. Topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin combined with benzoyl peroxide may also be used if more severe
13. Birth control pills are also used to regulate hormonal levels in some women.
14. Scars can be treated with laser light therapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, or steroid injections
15. Remember that acne is a part of growing up, and will naturally reduce after the growing years.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

What is acne?

Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Hair follicles are the areas around the base or root of each hair. Sebaceous glands are the tiny glands that release oil (sebum) into the hair follicles. The sebum moistens the skin and hair. The sebum and hair get to the skin surface through tiny holes called pores. 

Acne is very common. Most children and young adults between ages 11 and 30 will have acne at some point. Acne most often begins in puberty. But it can happen at any age. There are different types of acne that affect newborns, infants, younger children, and adults. 

Acne may occur when the pores gets clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Bacteria that are normally on the skin may also get into the clogged pore. Acne comes in several types. One type is a comedone. This is a plug of sebum in the hair follicle. They are either closed whiteheads, or open blackheads. These are not inflamed or infected.

Inflamed acne causes red, painful bumps or sores. The sores may be infected with bacteria. This type of acne includes:

• Pustule. Bacteria cause the hair follicle to be inflamed. Pustules are closer to the skin surface.
• Papule. The wall of the hair follicle gets irritated. Papules are deeper in the skin.
• Nodule. These are larger, deeper, and more solid.
• Cyst. This is a nodule with pus.

What causes acne?

The cause of acne is not fully understood. Acne is linked with:

• Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and the menstrual cycle
• Rising levels of male sex hormones (androgens) in both boys and girls during puberty that causes more sebum and more dead skin cells
• Using makeup or cosmetics that block the pores
• Using certain products to wash the skin
• Wearing clothes that rub or irritate the skin
• High levels of moisture in the air (humidity) and sweating
• Taking certain medicines, such as corticosteroids    

Who is at risk for acne?

Being a teen (adolescent) is the greatest risk factor for acne. A family history also increases the risk for severe acne.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne can occur anywhere on the body. It is most common in areas where there are more sebaceous glands, such as:

• Face
• Chest
• Upper back
• Shoulders
• Neck

Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:

• Small bumps that are skin-colored or white (whiteheads)
• Small bumps that are dark in color (blackheads)
• Red, pus-filled pimples that may hurt
• Solid, raised bumps (nodules)
• Darker areas of skin
• Scarring

The symptoms of acne can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is acne diagnosed?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will look at the areas of the body with acne. The provider may advise that your child see a doctor who specializes in skin care (dermatologist).

How is acne treated?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. The goal of acne treatment is to improve the skins appearance and to lessen the chance of scarring. Treatment for acne will include gentle, regular skin care. Your child's healthcare provider may advise:

• Non-prescription cleansers and creams, lotions, gels, or other products
• Prescriptions that are put on the skin (topical) or taken by mouth (oral)
• Other therapies or procedures, such as laser therapy, light therapy, or chemical peels
• Draining of a cyst, or injecting it with medicine

Topical medicines are often prescribed to treat acne. These can be in the form of a cream, gel, lotion, or liquid. These may include:

• Benzoyl peroxide. This kills bacteria.
• Antibiotics. These help stop or slow down the growth of bacteria. They also reduce inflammation.
• Tretinoin. This stops new comedones from forming. It also encourages new skin cell growth and unplugs pimples.
• Adapalene. This helps stop new comedones from forming.

Medicines to take by mouth may be prescribed, such as:

• Antibiotic medicines. These may include tetracycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin. They are used to treat moderate to severe acne. 
• Isotretinoin. This may be prescribed for severe acne that can’t be treated by other methods. It helps to prevent new acne and scarring.

What are possible complications of acne?

Acne can cause problems with self-esteem. It may cause emotional problems. It may result in depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Severe or long-term acne may cause scarring. Serious infections may also develop.

Living with acne

Acne can be a long-term condition. Early treatment can help to prevent or lessen severe acne. Help your child by:

• Reminding your child to not pick, pop, or squeeze acne, which can spread infection and cause scars
• Talking with your child's healthcare provider if over-the-counter treatments don’t work well
• Considering taking your child to a dermatologist for long-term or severe acne
• Making sure your child stops acne treatment slowly, not quickly, once acne clears
• Having your child treat acne a few times a week to prevent it from returning, if needed
• Making sure your child does skin care regularly and gently

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call your child's healthcare provider if: 

• Your child is upset by his or her acne
• The acne is getting worse
• Over-the-counter treatments are not working

Key points about acne

• Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
• Acne may happen when the pores gets clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Bacteria that are normally on the skin may also get into the clogged pore.
• Most teens and young adults between 11 and 30 years old will have acne at some point.
• Both over-the-counter and prescription medicines are available to treat acne.
• Acne can have an emotional effect. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
• Scarring can result from severe or long-term acne.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s health care provider:

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

The skin produces a natural oil known as sebum from the sebaceous glands. This acts as a protective layer and is passed out through the multiple, minute pores. With the teenage years seeing excessive hormones, excessive sebum is produced which clogs the pores, and the underlying sebum may not be released from the glands. In some cases, there could also be bacteria trapped in these acne. In severe cases, there can be extreme pain and pus formation. The acne can be quite large in size and may leave marks, which often take a long time to disappear.

Causes

Though acne affects any age group, it is most common in the teenage years and is attributed to the hormones called androgens. In women, there is also a hormonal correlation where acne is more common with menstrual cycles, pregnancy and polycystic ovaries all conditions associated with increased hormone levels.

Management

Before heading out for medical help, the following are some tips to manage acne.

Avoid touching it or picking it. Else it will result in a faster spreading of the infection to the surrounding areas.

Use ice cubes on the acne as they help reduce redness and swelling by lowering the blood supply.

Learn to keep calm as stress increases hormonal release and thereby acne.

Do regular exercises. A good workout routine helps by keeping your skin clean and the pores open. There is a more frequent clearing of sebum leading to reduced acne.

Maintain a healthy eating pattern. Avoid oily food items, which only add to the oiliness of the skin. Sugars again are proven to be harmful for acne.

Follow a proper sleep routine as it will relax your muscles and keep you calm.

Use mild detergents for washing pillow covers and towels, which are often used on the skin.

Frequent washing, regular moisturizing, and exfoliating should be a part of your skin care routine. Avoid heavy chemicals and adhere to one regimen with as many natural substances as possible.

The skin produces a natural oil known as sebum from the sebaceous glands. This acts as a protective layer and is passed out through the multiple, minute pores. With the teenage years seeing excessive hormones, excessive sebum is produced which clogs the pores, and the underlying sebum may not be released from the glands. In some cases, there could also be bacteria trapped in these acne. In severe cases, there can be extreme pain and pus formation. The acne can be quite large in size and may leave marks, which often take a long time to disappear.

Causes

Though acne affects any age group, it is most common in the teenage years and is attributed to the hormones called androgens. In women, there is also a hormonal correlation where acne is more common with menstrual cycles, pregnancy and polycystic ovaries – all conditions associated with increased hormone levels.

Management

Before heading out for medical help, the following are some tips to manage acne.

1. Avoid touching it or picking it. Else it will result in a faster spreading of the infection to the surrounding areas.

2. Use ice cubes on the acne as they help reduce redness and swelling by lowering the blood supply.

3. Learn to keep calm as stress increases hormonal release and thereby acne.

4. Do regular exercises. A good workout routine helps by keeping your skin clean and the pores open. There is a more frequent clearing of sebum leading to reduced acne.

5. Maintain a healthy eating pattern. Avoid oily food items, which only add to the oiliness of the skin. Sugars again are proven to be harmful for acne.

6. Follow a proper sleep routine as it will relax your muscles and keep you calm.

7. Use mild detergents for washing pillow covers and towels, which are often used on the skin.

8. Frequent washing, regular moisturizing, and exfoliating should be a part of your skin care routine. Avoid heavy chemicals and adhere to one regimen with as many natural substances as possible.

Medical Management

Medications would be required in more severe cases, where there is infection along with pain.

Topical products would include creams, gels or lotions with retinoids like tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene. In some cases, topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin combined with benzoyl peroxide are used. Light therapy, laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peels and steroid injections can be used to remove acne scars, which may be very concerning cosmetically.

Very severe cases may require a systemic antibiotic course with doxycycline and minocycline. Birth control pills may be used in some to regulate hormonal levels.

Despite all this, let nature take its own course, and in majority of the cases, acne runs its course and settles down with the passage of teenage years. Try the next level therapy only if absolutely required. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dermatologist.

What is Acne (Pimples)?

Acne is a very common skin disease that is characterised by the clogging of hair follicles of the skin with dead cells or oil produced from oil glands called ‘sebum’. It is a long-term skin disease and is seen to affect people who fall within the age group of 13-25.

They mostly occur on the face but it can also occur on the back, arms, neck, chest and shoulders. This can result in an uneven, bumpy appearance on the skin that may swell up and appear red. In severe cases, when the swelling subsides, it may leave a mark on the affected area.

What Causes Pimples?

The reasons behind pimples are not very clear although it is seen to be more prominent with teenagers and is more severe in boys as compared to girls.

But some factors that may cause acne are:

1. Hormones: The levels of hormones called ‘androgens’ increase when someone hits teenage. Androgens cause the pores on the skin to enlarge and secrete more sebum. This causes the pores to get clogged, thus causing acne.

2. Genetics: It is more likely for you to get pimples if your parents have had them in their childhood.

3. Medications: Certain medications used to treat diseases such as epilepsy can result in acne.

How To Treat Acne?

It is usually recommended to consult a dermatologist who may give you several options such as-

Although it is generally a temporary condition, severe acne can leave a scar problem that can last a lifetime. A cosmetic dermatologist can provide a variety of procedures for acne scar removal or reduction.

Microdermabrasion, deep chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing have all been shown to effectively reduce or eliminate acne scars. The right acne scar removal treatment for each patient depends on the degree of acne scarring, skin type, and other factors. A cosmetic dermatologist can recommend the procedure that is best for you. Some of the treatments are:

1. Topical Ointments: Ointments are topical agents that are used on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane. Agents with Salicylic acid as an active ingredient can help in treating acne.

2. Oral Prescriptions: Oral antibiotics such as clindamycin can be prescribed to you for treating your acne.

3. Acne Surgery: It can be used to treat current acne conditions. It involves cleansing the skin and its pores of infections and excessive oil and clusters of dead cells.

4. Skin Peeling Treatment: It is a very effective way of removing current pimples and scars that are left behind by the older ones. It basically removes the old, dead skin cells and encourages the growth of new ones. This must be done upon consulting your dermatologist.

Other measures that can be taken to control outbreaks include maintaining a healthy, junk-free diet.