Category: Children’s Health

What factors causes Acne?

What causes Acne?

Did you know that common Acne, also known as Acne Vulgaris, is suffered by up to 85% of adolescents and young adults? That is an extremely high portion of the population which is affected by this skin disorder.

The cause of Acne is not fully known, but there are several factors which contribute to the development of this inflammatory skin disorder. Your genes play a role in this, meaning if your parents or grandparents suffered this skin condition, you will be prone to getting Acne yourself.

Most notably, there is a link to a change in hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty. In the past the over production of sebum was considered to be the main cause of Acne. Sebum is an oily secretion of fats and the remains of fat producing cells, caused by hyperactive sebaceous glands in the skin.

However, it appears as though the narrowing of follicle channel, where the hair is rooted in the skin, is also a major factor causing common Acne. There are several other factors which can contribute, such as Stress, accumulation of dead skin cells, an allergic reaction to bacteria in the pores, scratching and the usage of anabolic steroids.

What has not been confirmed in any way, is the contribution a fatty diet, including chocolate, potato chips and French fries, may have on Acne. Generally, sufferers should experiment with their diet to ascertain what food stuffs affect the severity of their Acne.

What could have an influence on Acne is a diet high on refined sugar products. Acne is rare in societies which have not been influenced by our western way of life. These people have a low glycernic level in their diets. However, if the reduction of high glycernic foods, such has soft drinks, sweets and white bread, has a significant effect on alleviating Acne disorders has yet to be proved. Keeping a low consumption of these kinds of foods will influence your general health for the better.

Another misconception concerning Acne is personal hygiene. Acne is not caused by dirt, so a poor personal hygiene is not a factor. To make this clearer, Acne causes blockages to occur deep within the follicle or hair channel and as such cannot be washed away. In fact, anything more than a gentle cleansing can cause new lesions by damaging or over drying skin.

On a lighter note, if you have heard that celibacy or masturbation can cause Acne and sexual intercourse can cure it, I have good news for you. There is absolutely no scientific evidence at all that this is true.

Vitamins Used To Treat Acne

What vitamins can be used to treat acne?

Due to the incredibly unhealthy diets that have become the norm in modern day America, it is no wonder that vitamin deficiencies are so rampant. Only about 10-20% of Americans consume the recommended amount of the important vitamins and minerals on a daily basis.
This vitamin deficiency has led to many problems in the bodies of Americans, and obviously the skin, the largest organ of the body, is affected by this deficiency as well.

There are many vitamins that can all contribute to fighting and preventing the formation of acne on the skin. Different vitamins have different uses ranging from antioxidants (clearing the skin of harmful toxins) to antibacterial (fighting bacteria which can cause acne, helping to prevent it from forming) and more.

This article will help to point out and explain which vitamins can be used to help against acne and what it is that they do.

The main vitamins that help to combat acne are Vitamin A, the B Vitamins, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Chromium and Zinc. Each of these vitamins helps to fight acne in a different way and when used in conjunction they can help greatly to reduce the affects of acne and even prevent its breakout altogether.

If you decide to use these vitamins, most likely through form of supplements since trying to consume the right amounts through dieting can be difficult, it is extremely important to follow the dosage instructions and to never take too much of any vitamin. Taking too much of many vitamins can be toxic and can lead to illness and worse problems, so always be careful and patient.

Vitamins A and E are strong antioxidants and help to promote healthy skin. Zinc is also an antioxidant but more importantly it helps to regulate the production of oil in the oil glands. Chromium aids in reducing the infections in the skin which can prevent acne from spreading. The B Complex vitamins and Vitamin C are more like super-vitamins. Both of these have countless functions in maintaining a healthy body and involving these in your daily diet is only too important.

The main reason that each of these vitamins is so important is not only their assistance to fighting and preventing acne but also the simple fact that a deficiency in any single one of these vitamins can lead to acne breakouts.

Because of this, the importance of consuming the correct amounts of these vitamins every day through either diet, which can be very difficult, or in supplement form is simply undeniable. By being knowledgeable of these vitamins and by attempting to meet the recommended amounts each day, a person can combat acne much more effectively and help to prevent it from occurring altogether.

Understanding Acne in Puberty Stage

Puberty acne develops from a few simple steps. First, teenage acne occurs when for some unknown reason or combination of reasons, hair follicles, also known as pores, become blocked. Although the exact combination of reasons that pores become clogged may not be fully known, many contributing elements for teenagers and adults alike can include:

* genetics (whether or not there is a history of acne problems and if so, to what extent)

* hormones

* dietary and vitamin make up (or lack of /deficiency)

* stress related factors

Other denominators in the development of puberty acne could include factors like how your body normally rids itself of its dead skin cells. And influences that may be working against this regularity.

For example, climate and other environmental factors, overall body health at the time of the outbreak, and your hormones and their effect on your own body’s sebum production (especially for females).

Second, the normal dead skin cells that combine with your body’s natural sebum oil as it drains through the skin’s surface become clogged in these blocked pores. This substance becomes somewhat sticky, further clogging the passageway.

Third, bacteria begins to grow around these clogged areas. As a normal reaction, your body’s white blood cells attack the bacteria, fighting it and pushing it out of the body.

And forth, the resulting growths during this 14-day to 21-day battle are called microcomedones. Microcomedones turn into comedones, commonly referred to as blemishes, pimples or acne.

There are basically four types of puberty acne: whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and nodules.

Whiteheads are when the sebum (oil) and resulting bacteria are trapped below the skin’s surface and you can actually see a white head appear above (or near popping out of) the skin.

Blackheads are when the sebum and resulting bacteria are only partially trapped, slowly draining out the surface and turning black because of your skin’s melanin or pigmentation.

In the absence of either white or blackhead are generally (but not always) smaller pimples. And the often deeper, boil-like lesions are referred to as nodules.

All forms of puberty acne can be mild, moderate or severe. Typically, mild puberty acne is visible in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, sometimes pimples.

With moderate puberty acne, more pimples and pustules are present on the face, some may appear on the back or chest.

And with severe puberty acne, many nodules develop, often large and sore, over parts of the face, back, chest and other body areas. This type of acne can lead to scarring.

Actually, lesser cases of puberty acne have been followed by scarring. So for those with possible nodular acne, seeking advice from a healthcare provider as soon as possible is recommended.

A gender issue to note is that males more often have the severe form of acne rather than females, due to their hormones. And the areas where they tend to break out most frequently are unfortunately more difficult to treat, the chest and back.

The Whole Truth About Natural Acne Treatment

Acne can happen to anyone. It shows up primarily in the face and can cause embarrassment and even avoidance of going out in public. Some people only experience light, occasional break-outs. Unfortunately for others, this problem can go on for years and requires treatment. There are several choices when it comes to healing yours.

A dermatologist is recommended for severe or frequent blemishes. Natural Acne Treatment is the ideal remedy for milder cases.

Natural Acne treatment is simple. Changing your diet or taking herbs and vitamins to cleanse and provide additional nutrition could be enough to clear your skin up.

You should eliminate sugars, oils, and fats from your diet as much as possible. They are not part of a good balanced diet and are all unhealthy to begin with. Drinking water instead of sugary soda and eating a vegetable snack instead of you usual chips is not a difficult change to make. The healthier you are overall will reflect the health of your skin.

It has been debated that diet has no effect on acne. Diet alone is not a suitable natural acne treatment. However, modifying your diet in addition to taking certain vitamins can clear up your skin.

Taking certain vitamins is a great natural acne treatment used by many people. Zinc can prevent acne from ever occurring. It also heals existing blemishes. Vitamin A in low doses reduces the production of your skin’s natural oil, called sebum. Certain herbal blends can also help to benefit your body and your skin.

The advantages to natural acne treatment are that you avoid ever having to see a dermatologist, your body will benefit from healthier eating, and you are not exposing your skin to harsh chemicals. Visiting a dermatologist to take care of your acne can get expensive. It usually requires many follow-up visits and paying for prescriptions. This can also be time consuming and overall just not worth it if your acne is not severe enough to actually require it. Not consuming greasy foods will keep your system clean, which is beneficial to your overall health as well as your skin.

Typical acne medicines contain ingredients that can cause your skin to be sensitive to sunlight or even worsen your condition.

Modifying your diet and taking vitamins are not the only options that you have as natural acne treatment. You could suffer from stress-induced acne. Ways to reduce stress in your life can differ from person to person because everyone gets stressed out by different things. Exercising and getting plenty of rest could help to calm the stress in your life.

Perhaps taking a walk or practicing yoga would help you to relax and clear your mind to be stress-free. A life without stress could be a life without suffering from acne. Natural treatment may not be the answer to your acne, depending on the cause of it. Experimenting is an easy and painless method to try, and it could save you a lot of money if it is right for you.