Friday, November 25, 2011

The Origins Of Adult Acne

By Alice Nance


It does not matter how old you are - acne will always emanate from the sebaceous glands. These glands, as the name implies, create the oily secretion called sebum, and are attached to our hair follicles. An acne lesion forms when a hair follicle becomes plugged with sebum and dead cells. The pathogenic (disease-causing) events in the sebaceous glands are believed to be due in large degree to changes in levels of androgenic (male) hormones in the body-a circumstance usually associated with the growth and development that occurs between the ages of 12 and 21. Given the following information, you will want to check for any underlying causes should you acquire acne in adulthood.

There are many reasons that acne may be acquired by people over 25 to 30 years old, and here are the most significant:

Recurrence of acne that cleared up after adolescence

A sudden resurgence of acne after years of inactivity - often occurs during pregnancy

Occurs for the first time in a person who had never previously had acne.

Acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be examined by a dermatologist who can investigate the underlying cause. Here are some causes of adult acne:

Medication. Here is a quick listing of medications whose usage may serve as a harbinger to acne - a few anti-epileptic medications, isoniazid and rifampin (anti-tuberculosis drugs), lithium, medications with iodine and yes, steroids are included here too, which may somehow make you want to scrutinize the faces of admitted steroid users like...oh, I don't know, retired MLB slugger Jose Canseco.

Constant and consistent physical pressure against body parts. Acne mechanica occurs whenever there is constant and consistent physical pressure against body parts, such as the act of carrying a huge backpack as the straps abrade against your skin, or playing a violin tucked between your jaw and chin for one entire concerto performance.

Occupational hazards, like chlorinated chemicals. These chemicals create chloracne - an occupational hazard which is a portmanteau of "chlorine" and "acne."

Metabolic conditions. Changes in the hormonal balance, such as those brought about by pregnancy, menstruation or hormonal abnormalities can induce acne.

It is also important to know that some lesions which appear to be acne are not acne at all. For example, folliculitis may occur if the hair follicles are inflammed, and its symptoms share a lot of similarities with acne. Despite the similarities, folliculitis would require a totally different cure all together.

If this is not the first time you have gotten acne as an adult, it may be more difficult to treat than an isolated case. In some cases, patients with chronic acne as adults have been subject to repeated treatment patterns with isotretinoin, a "wonder drug" of sorts against certain skin conditions.

Being that this article does not constitute medical advice, your best option if you are a first-time adult acne sufferer is to seek a dermatologist's advice as this is not an easy condition to treat.




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