Acne: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Acne is one of the most common skin problems among people. It is a condition during which the hair follicles under the skin get clogged due to dead skin or oil and results in breakout of lesions.

It can occur to anyone irrespective of age, race, or gender but is highly common in certain age groups like teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms of acne

In most cases, acne typically develops on the face. However, it can also appear on the back, neck shoulders, and chest. Some common symptoms of acne include:

• Whiteheads and blackheads - Also known as comedones, these are the most common lesions experienced with acne. Blackheads typically occur at the surface of the skin while whiteheads are closed just under the skin’s surface.
• Papules – These are small red bumps that typically occur as a result of skin inflammation or infection.
• Pustules – These are small red pimples that are filled with pus on the tip.
• Nodules – These are solid lumps that form beneath the skin. They are often painful.
• Cysts – These are large pus-filled lumps that develop beneath the skin. They’re painful but are softer as compared to nodules.

Many-a-times, acne can also lead to scarring of skin, crusting of skin bumps, and redness around the skin eruptions.

Causes of Acne

Heath experts assert that excess sebum production, building up of dead skin cells, growth of bacteria in the pores, and skin inflammation are some of the primary causes of acne. However, it can also be a result of hormonal changes, medications, and poor diet. It can also be passed on genetically in the family.

Treatment of Acne

Acne is a common problem that can be treated easily with OTC products and natural remedies for pimples and acne.  However, it is not an over-night process rather a long one that requires patience. Here are some of the most effective treatments for acne:

1. Anti-Acne Diet

An anti-acne diet includes a balanced mixture of skin-friendly anti-inflammatory foods and low-glycemic foods made of complex carbohydrates.  Whole grains, legumes, yellow and orange vegetables, leafy greens, berries, nuts, fatty fishes etc. are some of the food options that promote health skin.     

2. Over-The-Counter Products

OTC products like clear gels for acne, acne facewash, and anti-acne soaps are highly helpful in alleviating the skin problem. For instance, you can decide on best anti-acne gels from AcneStar.  These are generally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial in nature and serve as a rapid solution for a flawless skin.   

3. Natural face masks

Face masks made with kitchen ingredients is one of the most effective ways of treating acne at home. For instance, turmeric and honey mask, tea-tree oil clay mask, aloevera and turmeric mask, oatmeal mask, yeast and yoghurt mask etc. are some of the highly recommended remedies for pimples and acne. 

Though acne is treatable, it is unfortunately, a subject of social stigma. It tends to affect a person’s mental health and causes emotional distress. Various studies assert that the respective skin condition may hamper one’s confidence and self-esteem and contributes in making them stressed.

Thus, it is important that we break this taboo and stop associating acne with impaired physical appearance. Understand that acne is temporary skin condition and does not define you or your beauty.