Vulgaris – the name says it all. The term ‘acne’ refers to the eruptions that occur on the skin of a person, while the term ‘vulgaris’ means common. Albeit, the eruptions on a person’s face, neck, back or chest are nothing less than vulgar as not only do they affect a person’s appearance but have long term yet damaging effects on a person’s self-esteem or self-worth.
How Does Acne Erupt?
The layman term for acne is pimples or zits and is a skin condition wherein one finds inflammation on the skin of the face, neck, chest or back. The inflammation occurs when the sebaceous glands malfunction due to the follicle of the skin being blocked by dirt, oil or pollution. What happens is that the sebum gland enlarges and produces excess sebum resulting in the skin becoming prone to infections. Apart from infecting the surrounding skin, the bacteria causing infection spreads to the inner layer of the skin as well.
Acne thus causes itching, swelling, redness and contributes to the overall discomfort in a person. In order to get rid of itching, some people scratch it or try to break the pimple which leads to further break out. This condition is commonly found during puberty though not restricted to it as adults also are at the receiving end of pimple outbreaks because of various factors.
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How Is Acne Caused?
One comes across a lot of literature and medical observations as regards to the common causes of acne. Few of which are discussed below:
1. Hormones – A human being goes through hormonal changes at various phases of his/her life. For example Growth Hormones (hgh), sometimes wreak havoc within the system. Acne is typically found during puberty as an average human body produces more androgens causing the follicular glands to enlarge resulting in more sebum production. During adulthood, acne in women is common due to pregnancy or menopause.
2. Hereditary – Some people are prone to acne as it runs in the family. Certain traits and hormones are passed down from one generation to the next, which might be the cause of acne.
3. Age – Age is another factor taken into consideration while conducting research on acne. Teenagers are likely to break out with acne than adults, though not necessarily so. Adults and especially women are prone to acne due to age related conditions like menopause or menstruation.
4. Stress – Stress is a contributing factor to the acne break out, though there are no studies directly relating it. Stress causes the body to release certain toxins and hormones which ultimately lead to acne. During stress the body’s adrenal glands start producing steroids like cortisol which make sebaceous glands produce excessive oil. Hence people find inflamed pimples on their face, neck, chest or back during highly stressful situations.
5. Infections – Many a time’s people have the habit of touching their faces which passes on the germs from the hand to the face, thus resulting in an outbreak.
6. Change in Cosmetics – Change in the use of cosmetics has also been a culprit for an outbreak. Women especially find that some cosmetics do not suit their skin type and thus result in pimples.
7. Dietary – Research has established that certain food types aid the production of oil in the sebaceous glands leading to pimples. Dairy products, high-glycemic-index foods and foods comprising fatty acid composition contribute to high acne incidences.
8. Weather – People find that a hot and humid weather contributes to a greater extent to their pimple problems as compared to a dry wintry one. Even sudden changes in weather disturb the oil balance in the skin leading to pimples.
9. Medication – Some medicines react with the body in such a manner that their side effect is pimple outbreak. Though not everybody is prone to it, some people are. Some medications cause stress in the body leading to increased hormonal activity. These active hormones cause the skin of a patient to go flaccid, sag or break out in the form of acne.
10. Bacteria – Certain virulent strains of bacteria are responsible towards causing acne. Research indicates that these different strains are becoming immune to the antibiotics being used to contain acne, thus leading to further acne.
Whatever the cause, acne in extreme cases mars not only the personal appearance but also is a major contributor to low self – esteem and social awkwardness in a person.
The author is a content writer with a flair for writing on topics related to Skin Care, Acne, Hair Care and Hair Fall due to various.
