Friday, November 25, 2011

Adult Acne - What Brings It About?

By Alice Nance


It does not matter how old you are - acne will always emanate from the sebaceous glands. These glands, as the name implies, create the oily secretion called sebum, and are attached to our hair follicles. An acne lesion forms when a hair follicle becomes plugged with sebum and dead cells. The pathogenic (disease-causing) events in the sebaceous glands are believed to be due in large degree to changes in levels of androgenic (male) hormones in the body-a circumstance usually associated with the growth and development that occurs between the ages of 12 and 21. Given the following information, you will want to check for any underlying causes should you acquire acne in adulthood.

There are many reasons that acne may be acquired by people over 25 to 30 years old, and here are the most significant:

Adolescent acne returning "with a vengeance" in adulthood

A sudden resurgence of acne after years of inactivity - often occurs during pregnancy

A first-time occurrence for somebody who has never had acne even in adolescence

It would behoove you to see a dermatologist to find out the underlying cause of your acne if it is the first time you have ever experienced it. Some causes of adult acne are.

Over-the-counter (and sometimes, under-the-table) medication. There are many medications that could cause acne or serve as its precursor, but here are just a few - lithium, iodine-laced medication, anti-tuberculosis medications like rifampin and isoniazid, a few select anti-epileptic drugs and steroids - yes, steroids, that home run-inducing "magic juice" which is, in most cases, illegal.

Constant and consistent physical pressure against body parts. Acne mechanica occurs whenever there is constant and consistent physical pressure against body parts, such as the act of carrying a huge backpack as the straps abrade against your skin, or playing a violin tucked between your jaw and chin for one entire concerto performance.

Occupational hazards, like chlorinated chemicals. These chemicals create chloracne - an occupational hazard which is a portmanteau of "chlorine" and "acne."

Hormonal imbalances. Certain physical conditions such as those directly related to pregnancy or menstruation, or quirks in the hormonal system can result in acne.

It is also important to know that some lesions which appear to be acne are not acne at all. For example, folliculitis may occur if the hair follicles are inflammed, and its symptoms share a lot of similarities with acne. Despite the similarities, folliculitis would require a totally different cure all together.

If this is not the first time you have gotten acne as an adult, it may be more difficult to treat than an isolated case. In some cases, patients with chronic acne as adults have been subject to repeated treatment patterns with isotretinoin, a "wonder drug" of sorts against certain skin conditions.

Since adult acne may be difficult to treat, acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be examined and treated by a dermatologist.




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