Gram-Negative Folliculitis:

Gram-Negative Folliculitis:

This condition is a bacterial infection characterized by pustules and cysts, possibly occurring as a complication resulting from a long term antibiotic treatment of acne vulgaris.

It is a rare condition, and we do not know if it is more common in males or females at this time. Fortunately, isotretinoin (Accutane) is often effective in combating gram-negative folliculitis.

Pyoderma Faciale:

In the previous post we described about a type of acne which is know as acne conglobata which is the most severe form of acne vulgaris and is more common in males. Today we define about Pyoderma Faciale

Pyoderma Faciale

This type of severe facial acne affects only females, usually between the ages of 20 to 40 years old, and is characterized by painful large nodules, pustules and sores which may leave scarring. It begins abruptly, and may occur on the skin of a woman who has never had acne before. It is confined to the face, and usually does not last longer than one year, but can wreak havoc in a very short time.

Acne Conglobata:

This is the most severe form of acne vulgaris and is more common in males. It is characterized by numerous large lesions, which are sometimes interconnected, along with widespread blackheads. It can cause severe, irrevocable damage to the skin, and disfiguring scarring. It is found on the face, chest, back, buttocks, upper arms, and thighs.

The age of onset for acne conglobata is usually between 18 and 30 years, and the condition can stay active for many years. As with all forms of acne, the cause of acne conglobata is unknown. Treatment usually includes isotretinoin Accutane, and although acne conglobata is sometimes resistant to treatment, it can often be controlled through aggressive treatment over time.

Acne Rosacea

Acne Rosacea can look similar to the aforementioned acne vulgaris, and the two types of acne are sometimes confused for one another.

Rosacea affects millions of people, most of whom those who are over the age of 30. It appears as a red rash which is normally confined to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. The redness is often accompanied by bumps, pimples, and skin blemishes. Blood vessels may also become more visible on the skin. Blackheads are not a part of rosacea. It is more prevalent in women, but often more severe when found in men. Left untreated, it can cause swelling of the nose and the growth of excess tissue, a condition called rhinophyma. Treatment is often different for rosacea than for acne, and it is important that you consult a doctor can determine if what you are experiencing is acne vulgaris or rosacea.

Nodulocystic acne

Nodulocystic acne is also known as Cystic acne, it is a severe form of acne wherein acne develops into small cysts. Acne cysts are not true cysts in the sense that they are not abnormal dilations of skin structure, but rather nodules of inflammation. Although not uncommon, it is rarer than other types of acne. Like other forms, it is caused by an excess buildup of sebum in the pores and, contrary to popular belief, is not caused by, nor is it affected by, hygiene or the lack thereof. A common treatment for cystic acne is isotretinoin, which cures most acne in about 90% of patients.
Cystic acne can affect the face, chest, back, shoulders and, occasionally, upper arms. Like pimples, which are more common, cysts are usually filled with a white pus-like substance. They are usually several millimeters in diameter, and can be quite painful.

If cystic acne is not treated early on, especially with antibiotics along with a topical cream, some degree of scarring will occur.

This can be quite severe depending on the case. Although many scars can be treated, scars on the body often do not respond as well as those on the face. In most cases, it is unlikely that all scars can be removed.

Acne Scarring

Two types of true scars exist

• Depressed areas such as ice-pick scars,
• Raised thickened tissue such as keloids.

Macules or “pseudo-scars” are flat, red or reddish spots that are the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions. After an inflamed acne lesion flattens, a macule may remain to “mark the spot” for up to 6 months. When the macule eventually disappears, no trace of it will remain—unlike a scar.

Post-inflammatory pigmentation is discoloration of the skin at the site of a healed or healing inflamed acne lesion. It occurs more frequently in darker-skinned people, but occasionally is seen in people with white skin. Early treatment by a dermatologist may minimize the development of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Some post-inflammatory pigmentation may persist for up to 18 months, especially with excessive sun exposure. Chemical peeling may hasten the disappearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Causes of Acne Scars

In the simplest terms, scars form at the site of an injury to tissue. They are the visible reminders of injury and tissue repair. In the case of acne, the injury is caused by the body’s inflammatory response to sebum, bacteria and dead cells in the plugged sebaceous follicle.

When tissue suffers an injury, the body rushes its repair kit to the injury site. Among the elements of the repair kit are white blood cells and an array of inflammatory molecules that have the task of repairing tissue and fighting infection. However, when their job is done they may leave a somewhat messy repair site in the form of fibrous scar tissue, or eroded tissue.

White blood cells and inflammatory molecules may remain at the site of an active acne lesion for days or even weeks. In people who are susceptible to scarring, the result may be an acne scar. The occurrence and incidence of scarring is still not well understood, however. There is considerable variation in scarring between one person and another, indicating that some people are more prone to scarring than others. Scarring frequently results from severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne that occurs deep in the skin.

Avoid use of strong cosmetic in acne 2:

If you are having acne then you should avoid using cosmetics. If it is possible use, only water based cosmetics. Care should also be taken to check if they are noncomedogenic.

As it is got in the research that cosmetic manufacturers generally add artificial oil to the products assuming that sebum is always helpful for the skin. These oils actually block the pores and aggravate acne. So it is suggested to use water base cosmetic only.

Avoid make up products with a strong fragrance as they can trigger an allergic reaction. Instead, use products with a very lightly fragrance. Compact pressed powder should also be avoided. The puff tends to collect all the dirt, grime and bacteria of the skin and alleviate acne. Use loose face powder instead. The face powder will help to absorb the extra oil. Apply moisturizer evenly with a light hand. This prevents deposition of excess products at different spots.

Another option available is mineral make up. It contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They have anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that help prevent acne. Even these should be used with caution since at times they tend make the skin dry.
At the end of the day, completely remove all make up. You can do so very conveniently with witch hazel. It is easily available. It contains enough alcohol to cleanse the skin but does not dry it out completely.

Avoid the use of strong cosmetics in acne

We know that cosmetics are chemical compound if they are used then are directly related to acne. In fact, acne cosmetica, or acne caused by cosmetics, is a common mild form of acne. This type of acne is triggered by topical factors and not the complex processes that take place inside the body. Even those people who are not susceptible to acne sometimes suffer from acne cosmetica.

Acne cosmetica it is generated by outside chemical substances, acne cosmetica is easy to get rid of. Stop using the cosmetic which has triggered acne and the acne disappears. Acne cosmetica is small, rashy, pink bumps on the cheek, chin and forehead. It develops over a period of a few weeks or months and may be persistent for a long time.

The outbreak can be stopped by end the use of the particular cosmetic which triggers the onset. In any condition, people suffering from acne should avoid using cosmetics. It is proved that makeup does not cause acne, but it can worsen the existing acne condition. Unfortunately, people are not aware of this “action and reaction” relation between acne and cosmetics, and end up worsening their infection by using more cosmetics to hide acne.
Now days some skin and hair care products can induce comedones, or a basic form of acne. This ability to induce acne is called “acnegenicity.” Acne inducing ability refers to both comedogenicity (inducing comedones- whiteheads and blackheads) and papule and pustules formation. Acne cosmetica is different than other forms of acne because in this condition papules and pustules means pus filled pimples, appear first and comedones appear later. Most cosmetics carry the label of having been tasted for acnegenicity and being noncomedogenic, yet people suffering from acne should be careful in using even these cosmetics.

Prevention of acne

Acne is a problem which effect from sweet 16 to old 50 and beyond almost every one at some time of life. We know that acne has both causes like internal and external. So one can take basic precaution and prevent the acne. Because acne is caused by a combination of factors, including internal triggers that can cause imbalances inside the body, and an overproduction of oil and trapped bacteria on the outside, the most effective way to treat it is by addressing both areas.

There are some use useful daily use tips which is useful for any age.

• Try to shower as soon as possible after your workout since sweat combined with skin oils can trap dirt and bacteria in your pores.
• Wash your pillowcase often and always use clean face towels. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse.
• Don’t go to bed with makeup on. It can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to help “detoxify” the body from the inside out.
• Don’t pick, pop or squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse.
• By taking these simple precautions, most people can reduce the occurrence of acne. There are also a variety of products available to help in healing or preventing breakouts. However, consumers should be careful about what they choose to use.

Acne in adult

It is thought that adult acne in women is more common because of the reproduction cycles a woman goes through such as menstruation, pregnancy, child birth and menopause. And in some cases hormonal products such as the pill can be used by doctors as a very effective adult acne treatment to produce some hormonal changes which can have positive results on the woman’s adult acne. In fact this can be the best treatment for adult acne of this nature.

Normally though, adult acne does not result in a total face breakout as teenage acne can do, so can be more easily controlled by some form of masking such as makeup which negates the need for adult acne treatments. There may be spots, but not so likely to be thousands of them.
The only real reason for an adult acne treatment, or any acne treatment at any age, is cosmetic. And so where a cosmetic effect can be achieved by other means the need for a treatment is removed.
There are thought to be external factors which also contribute to adult acne, amongst them are stress, cosmetics and diet. Unfortunately none of these is sufficiently understood either so it is hard to get some hard and fast rules about what not to do and what to do.
The remedies for adult acne are the same for other acne. First see your doctor to check it’s normal acne and not something more serious. Next try out some of the very good adult acne treatments on the market which may control your adult acne. These adult acne treatments are, in fact, the same treatments used for our teenagers.
One thing that is known though, acne is not caused by eating too much chocolate as was sometimes said to be the case. Cheese is ruled out too.