Acne: Causes and treatment

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Thu Hang - Dermatologist, Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Acne is a common skin disease caused by increased sebum secretion and inflammation of the hair follicle system of the sebaceous glands. The disease is common in adolescents, especially during puberty.

1. Symptoms of acne


The disease manifests itself with many different types of lesions such as acne bran, papules, inflammatory papules, pustules, cysts, cysts, etc., located in areas where a lot of sebum is secreted such as the face, chest, back. The disease can progress for many years, affecting the patient's aesthetics and quality of life.

2. Causes of acne


Acne is formed under the influence of 3 main factors:
Increased sebum secretion The sebaceous gland is regulated by the activity of hormones, especially male sex hormones, these hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to work and develop. Volume expansion increases sebum secretion.
Keratinization of the neck of the hair follicle The neck of the sebaceous gland is horned, making the sebaceous gland secretion duct narrow, the sebum cannot escape, so it is trapped in the sebaceous gland, condensed to form a nucleus for a long time. fish eggs.

Tăng tiết chất bã là nguyên nhân gây ra mụn trứng cá
Tăng tiết chất bã là nguyên nhân gây ra mụn trứng cá

Increased activity of bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. Acnes) P. acnes is an anaerobic and mildly aerobic Gram (+) bacillus residing in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Normally, P.acnes resides on the skin harmlessly. When the hair follicles are blocked, sebum and dead cells will create an anaerobic environment and P. Acnes can grow, becoming pathogenic.
Some other factors
Abuse of cosmetics and topical drugs, especially products containing corticosteroids Abuse of systemic drugs, especially corticosteroids Eating: too much sugar, milk.. Stress Environment , climate...

3. Diagnosing Acne


Definite diagnosis: mainly based on clinical: bran acne, papules, pustules, cystic acne, cysts are mainly concentrated in areas with a lot of sebum such as face, chest, back.
Diagnosis grade: According to Karen McCoy (2008), acne is divided into three levels:
Mild: less than 20 non-inflammatory lesions, or less than 15 inflammatory lesions or the total number of lesions less than 30. Moderate: 20-100 noninflammatory lesions or 15-50 inflammatory lesions, or 20-125 total lesions. Severity: more than 5 cysts, nodules, or more than 100 non-inflammatory lesions, or total inflammatory lesions over 50 or more than 125 total lesions.

4. Acne Treatment


4.1 Treatment principles 4.2 Specific treatment Topical drugs: can use one of the following drugs:
Topical antibiotics: Clindamycin 1%, Erythromycin ... a topical drug should not be used. more than 2 months. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO): The drug has both bactericidal properties and has a dekeratolytic effect on the neck of the hair follicle. Retinoids: drugs with bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-keratinizing and immunomodulating effects. The drugs commonly used are Tretinoin, Adaphalene, Tazaroten ... Azelaic acid: the drug has anti-keratin and anti-inflammatory effects.

Retinol điều trị trứng cá rất hiệu quả
Retinol điều trị trứng cá rất hiệu quả

Systemic drugs:
Antibiotics:
Azithromycin
Cyclin 2nd generation: Doxycycline, Minocycline. Erythromycin
Clindamycin
Isotretinoin: Indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe acne, persistent acne - unresponsive to other drugs. Hormone therapy: Indicated in moderate to severe acne Other drugs: Biotin, zinc, Bepanthen...

5. Health counseling and education on disease-related issues


Limit the use of drugs containing substances of the group Halogen, corticosteroids. Eat less sugar, chocolate, fat, fried food... Avoid psychological stress...

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