Got Acne Read This!
Treat Acne With These Medication Tips
Acne is a common skin disorder caused by several factors including heredity, an increase in hormones and other hormonal changes. More commonly known as “zits” or “pimples”, acne often occurs to an individual during puberty, after which its occurrence decreases and may even disappear completely when a person reaches his twenties. Some individuals, however, continue to suffer from acne well into their thirties and forties. Acne produces immediate physical effects, but often its most damaging effects are psychological, such as low self-esteem and depression.
Acne is known to be partly hereditary, but why some people get it while others don’t is yet to be fully determined. There are, however, some factors that have been found to be commonly related to the occurrence of acne, such as hormonal activity (for instance during the menstrual cycle), bacteria found on the pores, hyperactive sebaceous glands (that is, the glands found in the skin which secrete an oily substance called “sebum”), the intake of anabolic steroids, and the build up of dead skin cells. Various hormones in the body have been found to be linked to the incidence of acne.
A common misconception about acne is that it is caused by a constant diet of French fries, potato chips, and other greasy food. Such is yet to be proven, however, and most health professionals suggest that people who suffer from acne should vary the types of food they consume and avoid those that appear to affect the severity of their acne.
Another misconception about acne is that it occurs due to excessive dirt brought about by deficient personal hygiene. On the contrary, the bacteria that cause acne are not brought about by dirt that has accumulated on the skin, and instead are the bacteria that have always been present on the skin. As such, regular cleansing of the skin can help reduce the incidence of acne, but not fully prevent it.
There are various ways and numerous products available for treating and preventing acne. A regular intake of generous amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is an ideal and healthy way to prevent, or at least decrease the incidence of acne. Try including a salad in at least one of your meals everyday, and opt for fruit smoothies and shakes instead of soda and other artificial beverages.
It is also recommended to drink plenty of water, at least two liters a day. Doing so will keep your skin hydrated and allow effective shedding of dead skin cells, which would help prevent blocked pores that lead to further acne.
Skin exfoliation is a particular method that has been proven effective against acne. Exfoliating allows for the peeling of the top layer of the skin, which helps prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells. While preventing pores from being blocked by the build-up of dead skin cells, it can also help unclog already blocked pores.
Products that contain Benzoyl peroxide are also effective in treating acne. Such products, which often come in gel or cream form, are easily available and can be purchased over the counter. The gel or cream should be used in moderation, often applied once to twice daily by rubbing it over the affected region of the skin. Though proven effective, the use of such products may often cause dryness of the skin as a side effect. Moisturizers are thus often used alongside the product.
There are also both topical and oral antibiotics that can be used to treat acne. Topical antibiotics are externally applied, thereby avoiding the risk of such side effects as an upset stomach or inappropriate drug interactions. It is as effective as an oral antibiotic and is best used when treating the face, but can prove to be problematic when one is dealing larger portions of the skin. An oral antibiotic, on the other hand, produces much the same results as the topical kind, but needs to be ingested to work.
Females can also use hormonal treatments to control acne. Contraceptive pills have some effect on treating acne and are sometimes used, but the least risky method with very minimal side effects is the injection of the hormone cortisone directly into a pimple. The procedure is done by a dermatologist, and it reduces the inflammation and redness of the pimple almost instantly after the procedure’s administration.
In treating acne, it is best to seek the advice of your dermatologist to find the most suitable method or product to help treat your acne condition.
Hanif Khaki is the widely respected author of numerous health related articles including many on acne treatment tips He is also the founder of the popular acne resource site http://www.acnecure.expert-health.com
Tags: acne, acne medication, acne treatment tips, benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating-
Posted by admin on November 9th, 2008 filed in Acne Treatment | Comment now »
Do Staph Infections Cause Acne Breakouts
There is no simple answer to this question. All acne is caused by some sort of infection. It can be due to clogged pores becoming infected, or an infection under the skin that can cause acne on the surface.
Staph infections can manifest themselves on the skin, in the form of eruptions that are pus-filled and look like boils. But, if the eruptions are smaller, they can be more like zits or pimples.
Typically, more than one eruption will be present, and they can be present in one or more areas on the body. They can be painful and very unsightly.
These eruptions are different than normal acne in that they are not caused by pores clogging and becoming infected. Therefore, normal acne treatments like topical Benzoyl peroxide will not be effective in treating the breakout.
If you have a staph infection, you will need a doctor to diagnose it and treat it. Antibiotics MUST be prescribed in order to cure a staph infection.
How do you tell if you have a staph infection or if it is just regular acne? It can be hard to tell the difference, but some signs to look for are eruptions in places you do not normally get pimples. For instance, if you occasionally get pimples, but only on your chin, then suddenly you start to experience eruptions on your cheeks or forehead, it may not be simple acne.
Everyone’s skin is different, and only you know how your skin usually behaves. If you see signs that something unusual is happening, then you should check with your doctor to find out the cause.
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and acne skin care products that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
Tags: acne treatment, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, breakouts, clear skin, clogged, pores, staph infection, zits-
Posted by admin on September 9th, 2008 filed in Acne Treatment | Comment now »
Acne Treatment - Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the common ingredients used to treat acne. You can find this active ingredient in the form of a cream, gel, lotion, facemask, or cleansing bar. Benzoyl Peroxide is very effective in treating mild cases of acne. This acne treatment drug is available in non-prescription form for concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10%. If you are looking for concentrations higher than 10%, you need a doctor’s prescription. Several studies have shown that 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is equally effective to combat pimples and is less irritating. Therefore, if you want to try Benzoyl Peroxide to treat your acne, you should begin with a low concentration (example 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide).
How Benzoyl Peroxide works
Before we go into details on how benzoyl peroxide can prevent acne, it is useful to understand how acne is formed. Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) is a bacteria that causes the skin disorder acne. P.acnes is a major inhabitant of human skin and is the causative agent of acne. This skin-dwelling organism will multiply rapidly within clogged sebaceous follicles if left untreated. Fortunately, these bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. Benzoyl Peroxide is an oxygen-releasing chemical in the organic peroxide family. Upon applying on the affected area, this chemical is absorbed into the pores and releases the oxygen to destroy P.acnes.
Side Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide
It is important to note that there are some side effects when using this anti-acne medication:
a. Dryness
If you are using 5% or 10% of benzoyl peroxide, you may want to try a lower concentration, say 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide.
b. Irritation
For irritation, you can reduce the usage frequency. If you encounter severe irritation even the usage frequency is low, you should discontinue using the product.
c. Allergy
If you are allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide, you should discontinue using it and consult your dermatologist for other acne treatments.
d. Bleach
Benzoyl Peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent. You should prevent your hair from contacting this bleaching agent as this medicine can cause permanent color dampening.
Before using Benzoyl Peroxide for your acne treatment, please take note that this medicine generates free radicals in the skin. The result is redness of the skin due to oxidative stress. The effect is similar to unprotected sun exposure. If you are using a benzoyl peroxide product to treat your acne, you should avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen during the day.
Please be reminded that the above information is for informational purposes only and it is not intended to replace any health care services you need. The information provided is strictly not meant to diagnose medical conditions, offer medical advice, or endorse specific products or services. Do not rely upon the information provided alone for medical diagnosis or treatment. Kindly consult your doctor about any personal health concerns.
Julian Chee is the founder of Skincare Daily. This accredited skin care website provides information on acne, acne treatments and acne products. For more acne information, please visit http://www.skincaredaily.com
Tags: acne, acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide, pores, Propionibacterium acnes, skin, skin disorder-
Posted by admin on August 16th, 2008 filed in Acne Treatment | Comment now »