Diet

How important is a balanced diet in the prevention of acne.

This article highlights the significance of the different vitamins in diet to avoid the occurrence of acne.

It gives the sources of vitamins found in food and the right doses to be taken in a day.

Remedies

Are you tired of using ointments and medicines, which are ineffective for treating your acne?

If you are looking for natural methods of treatment of acne scars, here is a detailed treatment of the various home remedies you can use for the treatment of acne scars.

Myths

Various myths abound regarding acne. For myths surrounding acne this article is an in-depth study.

It dispels these myths with the actual truth behind these myths.

Acneiform facial eruptions Acneiform facial eruptions refer to a group of skin diseases that resemble acne.

The consequences of acneiform range from acne-like lesions such as red nodules, to pustules, comedones and even cysts.. These eruptions are commonly seen on the face, trunk, and the limbs. However, the physical location of the eruptions may vary based on the form of the disease. Similarly, the treatment also differs. This article is designed to educate you on the different types of acneiform eruptions.

Types of Acneiform eruptions:
Apart from acne vulgaris (true acne), rosacea, folliculitis, perioral dermatitis, steroid acne and chloracne are some of the diseases that present like acne. These eruptions are more common in women than men. Acne vulgaris: Acne vulgaris, also called true acne, is a disease of the sebaceous gland. The function of these glands is to secrete sebum, which is a type of oil that keeps the skin soft. However they also serve as the favorite medium for the growth of bacteria like Propionibacterium acne. In adolescence, there is an increase in certain hormone productions, which leads to an increase in the production of sebum. If the face is not kept clean, the bacteria may grow and clog these glands, thereby producing infection.

Acne can be of two types and the external appearance varies accordingly.
1 Inflammatory type- inflammatory acne is painful and has a reddish halo around the elevation. This acne may ooze out pus when broken. 2 Non-inflammatory type- Non-inflammatory acne may show elevated small spots called as comedones, which may be either open or closed. Closed comedones may be dome shaped and pale white with no visible orifice. Open comedones on the other hand, are flat or slightly raised but have a central black or brown tips called blackheads. They are collection of dried sebum and keratin that reflect light irregularly.

Prevention is always better than cure. Acne can be avoided by simple measures like:
  1. Reducing stress
  2. Cutting back on fried food and chocolates
  3. Washing your face regularly.
Rosacea Adults more commonly suffer from rosacea than adolescents. Although bacteria are a cause for rosacea, the lesions may also be caused by parasites and connective tissue disorders. In rosacea the characteristic comedones are absent. Additionally, the red spots in this condition are transient. A person suffering from rosacea may have an abnormally flushed cheek, forehead or nose, with reddish spots or even elevated white spots containing pus. In a few cases, the eyes may also become symptomatic. They may itch, turn reddish, become dry and have a burning sensation, and the person may experience a sense of discomfort in bright lights. There may also be a swelling of the eyelids. Folliculitis: Folliculitits is another disease that presents with facial eruptions. In folliculitis the eruptions are abrupt, well defined and occur in clusters. As the name suggests it is an inflammation of the hair follicle. Our face also has minute hairs. These hair follicles can harbor bacteria. Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus can grow there and cause acne-like eruptions. Mechanical trauma like shaving and a depressed immune system are some of the causes for folliculitis. Sometimes, organisms like fungi are also known to cause folliculitis. Fungal infections are non-responsive to antibacterial therapy. Folliculitis differs from acne in the area of eruptions. Folliculitis occurs where there is more hair, whereas acne occurs where there are more sebaceous glands.

Perioral dermatitis:

 Perioral dermatitis is a condition affecting the skin around the regions of the mouth. The lesions occur as symmetrical, discrete, slightly elevated red spots. Excessive use of corticosteroids on the skin, overapplication of moisturizers (which make the skin too moist) facilitates the growth of fungi, which are the main cause of perioral dermatitis.

Other causes:

Acne like eruptions can also be caused by other causes:
  1. Steroid acne is observed as flat or raised reddish spots located predominantly on the trunk and extremities, and less seen on the face. Characteristically, it appears after the administration of topical (on skin) or systemic corticosteroids

  2. Exposure to halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, by inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact with contaminated compounds or food induces a cutaneous eruption of comedones and dewdrop like swellings referred to as chloracne.

  3. Excessive use of antibiotics is also a cause for acneiform eruptions because they favor the growth of fungi.