ACNE: WHAT IT IS?

Acne vulgaris (the most common form of acne) is a chronic skin disease. It is the disease of the sebaceous gland which can be either inflammatory or non inflammatory. Usually severe forms of acne are inflammatory. Acne is most common in puberty; about 85% of teenagers suffer from this disease. Age group between 12-20 years is the most susceptible, but acne is not just restricted to adolescence, even adults between the age groups of 30 and 60 years are seen to suffer with acne.
Acne can manifest itself in either of the following forms:
Comedones (which are caused by blockade of pores)
Whiteheads
Blackheads
Pimples (zits)
Pustules
Nodules and cysts (more severe acne)
Acne rosacea is another form of acne which occurs mostly in adults and is more commonly observed in women. Other than these two forms of acne, there are some very severe forms of acne. These are:
Acne conglobata
Acne fulminans
Gram negative folliculitis
Nodulocystic acne
While there are many trigger factors that lead to acne, the most common reason is the over production of sebum or oil.
Sebaceous glands (oil producing glands) are present just beneath the surface of the skin. These glands produce sebum (or oil) which helps in moisturizing the skin and maintaining the softness of hair. These glands are located in each hair follicle under the skin and are found in large numbers on the face, back, chest, and shoulders. In certain circumstances the cells which are closer to the surface of the skin block the openings of these glands leading to accumulation of sebum under the skin surface. This leads to proliferation of bacteria that are already present in everyone and as such cause no harm. But this multiplication process of bacteria starts making the condition worse.
In certain conditions the production of sebum itself increases so much that it cannot be drained out through the pores efficiently. This excess sebum combines with the dead cells that are shred from the linings of the follicles and forms a plug, or comedo (or comedones), that blocks the pore, which is not usually seen.
In majority of cases the acne problem starts during puberty when the body starts producing large amounts of androgens (the male hormone). These androgens cause higher production of sebum, which in turn may lead to acne flare ups.