Q: I am 20 years old. I have this pimples problem from past 3 years. I tried many medicines, but of no use. These pimples leave marks on my face which make them worse. Can you tell me what are the reasons for getting pimples? Is it because of hormonal imbalance or dust or food habits etc? I eat sweets and oily food. My skin is oily type. Many times the pimples have pus in them.
A:Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules), that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. It is a very common disease especially in teenagers although adults can also have acne many a times. The causes of acne are:
Linked to the changes that take place as young people mature from childhood to puberty.
Male hormones cause physical maturation also cause the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin to produce more oil.
The oil causes the cells from the follicular lining to shed more rapidly and stick together, forming a plug at the hair follicle opening.
Bacteria grow in the mixture of oil and cells in the follicle. These bacteria make chemicals that stimulate inflammation and cause the wall of the follicle to break.
The sebum, bacteria, and shed skin cells spill into the skin causing redness, swelling, and pus - a pimple.
Treatment:
Wash your face with soap and warm water atleast twice a day.
Shampoo your hairs 3-4 times/week
Applying creams, gels or lotions containing Vit. A derivatives, Benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics on all the affected areas
Oral antibiotics as per the severity of your problem (eg. Doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, etc)
Do not squeeze or pick at acne.
Use noncomedogenic (should not cause acne) cosmetics and toiletries.
Avoid things that can aggravate your acne, such as oils, airborne grease, irritating clothing, etc.
Acne is not caused by the foods you eat. However if certain foods seem to make your acne worse, then try to avoid them.
Lastly, remember that control of acne is an ongoing process. All acne treatments work by preventing new acne. Existing blemishes must heal on their own. Improvement takes time. If your acne has not improved after 6 to 8 weeks, you may need a change in your treatment.
