This week’s Ask A Doctor Kenya question is “What is acne?”
Ask A Doctor Kenya Answer to What is Acne?
Acne is the most common skin disease in the world. It is an inflammatory skin disorder which affects the skin pores. These pores are made up of a hair follicle which is the small hole through which the hair grows out of the skin and the sebaceous or oil gland which is connected to it.
Acne is caused by the following four main factors:
*Excess sebum or oil production
*Dead skin cells known as keratinocytes clogging the skin pores together with the excess oil
*Bacteria known as Cutibacterium acnes.
*Inflammation which is the body’s respond to the increasing number of bacteria in the clogged skin pores. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Factors which trigger acne include:
*Hormones like androgens which make the sebaceous glands produce more oil.
*Medications like corticosteroids, phenytoin and lithium.
*Foods like white bread, cakes, sweets and other high glycemic index (GI) foods.
*Stress since stress hormones can trigger more oil production by the skin.
Symptoms of acne include:
*Whiteheads which are closed clogged pores.
*Blackheads which are open clogged pores. They develop when the contents of the clogged pores are oxidized by oxygen in the air.
*Papules which are small bumps on the skin that are commonly known as pimples or zits. They become red when there is inflammation.
*Pustules which are small swelling filled with pus.
*Nodules which are large bumps on the skin.
*Cysts which are large swellings filled with pus.
Acne usually develops on the face but it can also develop on the upper chest, shoulders and upper back because these areas have large numbers of sebaceous or oil glands.
Acne affects both men and women of all ages. It can develop in persons of all ages but it usually begins in adolescence and ends in the 20s though it can develop in persons in their 30s or 40s.
Complications of acne include:
*Acne scars which can be pitted or hypertrophic or thickened
*Hyperpigmentation in which the affected area is darker than the surrounding skin.
*Hypopigmentation in which the affected area is lighter than the surrounding skin.
*Depression
*Anxiety
At Almasi Skincare, we offer the best acne treatment in Kenya to prevent the development of acne complications. This effective acne treatment utilizes the latest dermatological procedures like microdermabrasion and microneedling as well as prescription medications and over-the-counter skincare products that contains ingredients like benzoyl peroxide.
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