SELF-HELP PREVENTION FOR VARIOUS CONDITIONS: ACNE

What is it?

Spots, usually a mixture of black-leads, red or purplish spots of various sizes, pustules, scars and pits on he skin. They are mainly found on the face, the back of the neck, the back and the chest, but can be found in the armpits and on the buttocks. The complexion is often greasy and muddy and the individual usually has lank, greasy hair.

Acne is most common during adolescence and most people grow out of it in their twenties.

What causes it?

During adolescence profound hormonal changes are occurring and the oil-producing glands in the skin begin to over-produce their secretions. These secretions often become dammed up in the sebaceous glands and the topmost part of the duct blocks up with oxidized sebum to produce a blackhead. If this is squeezed a worm of sebum appears. Some women have acne or similar types of spots every month pre-menstrually and others have them when they are pregnant but these are easily explained and usually disappear quickly.

Of the specific things thought to cause acne here are just a few:

• Refined foods, especially sweets and chocolates. Having said this, most acne researchers dismiss the effect of diet.

• Cosmetics and oil-based make-up and thick, greasy skin creams can contribute to a mild form of acne called ‘acne cosmetica’.

• Caffeine-containing drinks such as tea, coffee and cola.

• Stress. Some people definitely have more spots at times of stress. This may well come about as a result of the increased levels of androgens (male hormones) produced by the adrenal glands during stress.

• Woolly clothing next to the skin.

• Environmental factors are not uncommon in acne. Mechanics, fast-food workers and anyone who works in a greasy atmosphere can develop acne because the atmospheric grease blocks the pores in the skin. Those who work with chlorinated hydrocarbons found in paints, varnishes, mineral oils, pesticides and roofing materials may develop a type of acne called chloracne.

• Iodine and bromide-containing medicines. Iodized table salt contains too little iodine to worry about but some asthma medications and multivitamins contain a lot. Other drugs that cause pimples are steroids, male hormones, lithium and certain anticonvulsants.

• Tar and oil products.

• Infrequent washing. Ordinary oily skin has very little to do with pimples. The oil that reaches the skin is usually not the problem – it is the oil trapped in the hair follicle that produces acne. Antibacterial soaps have been found to be of little value compared with normal soaps.

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