Acne

Acne is the most frequent skin disease worldwide. Acne consists of a disturbance in the functioning of sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are situated around the hair follicle beneath the surface of the skin. Usually the glands of face and upper body part area are affected. The sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, which clogs up the follicle and forms both open or closed comedos. When bacteria settle in a comedo, the comedo inflames and develops papules and pustules. This severe form of acne can even leave behind scars. Acne mostly affects young adults, seldom older people. More than 90 per cent of teenagers have acne. It begins during puberty, between the age of 15 and 18, but usually subsides by the age of 30.

Acne is classified in three major forms:

• Acne comedonica: higher production of dead skin cells, comedos, sometimes slightly inflamed papules, no scars
• Acne papulo- pustulosa: papules and pustules, partly highly inflamed , possible scarring
• Akne conglobata: most severe form of acne, papules, pustules, fistulas

Various forms of acne exist:

• Acne vulgaris, also reffered to as “common acne", is the most frequent form of acne. It mainly affects individuals going through hormone changes, such as teenagers, pregnant women or women during their menstrual cycle. During this phase, the production of the male sex hormone, testosterone, increases, causing the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum and oil. The results are comedos.

• Acne aestivalis appears after extensive sun bathing. It is caused by the combination of UV-rays, cosmetics and sun screen.

• Acne cosmetica affects 25% of women. It is triggered by certain cosmetics that encourage the production of comedos. By discontinuing these cosmetics, the acne usually disappears.

• Acne medicamentosa is triggered by certain drugs. (Barbiturates, corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, lithium, iodine-containing drugs and an overdose of the vitamins B1, B12 and D2)

• Acne venenata is caused by a direct exposure to chlorine and certain oils.

• Acne inversa is a severe infection of the sebaceous glands in body parts that have regular skin contact (knees, armpits, genital area). This form of acne is caused by smoking, obesity, constant friction of that skin area, the bacteria staphylokoccus aureus and severe sweating.

• Acne fulminans afflicts boys in puberty. Inflammations cover face and the upper body. This rare form of acne starts off with fever, weight loss and aching joints.

• Acne neonatorum afflicts newborn babies.

• Patients with severe forms of acne are usually not the only ones in their family suffering from acne. As such, genetics play a role as well.

General acne symptoms are:

Redness of the skin, swelling, itchiness, swelling of the lymph nodes, headache, fever, scarring. Severe acne can also cause psychological trauma and can often lead to social isolation.