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Description of Acne or Acne vulgaris
Acne is a disorder of the skin, especially common in adolescents, characterized by the presence of postules and blackheads on the face, upper back, chest and shoulders. It is associated with the sebaceous (oil-secreting) glands in the skin.
Persons most commonly affected by acne - Adolescents, especially boys.
Organ or part of body involved in acne - Skin.
Symptoms and indications of acne
Presence on the skin of blackheads, pustules and whiteheads. The surrounding skin may be inflamed, red and sore, especially with scratching.
Treatment of acne
The skin should be carefully and thoroughly washed and dried, and the spots should not be scratched or squeezed to avoid scarring of the skin. Sunlight is helpful, and acne is often worse in the winter months than during the summer. The use of a topical preparation containing benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin (retinoic acid), salicylic acid, vitamin A and/or clindamycin may be recommended by your doctor. Some cosmetics aggravate acne and should be avoided. Also, it is possible that certain foods make the condition worse in some people. Acne in adolescence usually clears up with time.
Causes and risk factors of acne
Increased production of androgen hormones at puberty, blockage of sebaceous glands and the breakdown of sebum (the secretion of the glands by bacteria (propionibacterium acnes) seem to be responsible for the inflammation that causes acne.
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