Acne commonly erupts in the areas where oil glands exist the most. While wearing headgear, applying greasy personal care products, consuming some foods and certain infections can trigger acne, it is best to visit a reputable dermatologist to get the right treatment.
Acne can appear anywhere on the skin, commonly affecting your face, forehead, chest, shoulders and upper back as oil glands exist the most in these areas. While wearing headgear, certain weather conditions, oily personal care products, stress, and some foods can trigger acne, some infections can also lead to this condition. Read ahead to learn more about the infections that can result in acne and the ways to treat it. Also, consulting a specialist like Dr Anju Mangla, one of the best dermatologists in Delhi, is recommended for accurate advice.
What is Acne?
A common skin condition, acne or acne vulgaris involves the clogging of skin pores that leads to blackheads, whiteheads and other types of pimples (pus-filled bumps on the skin that can be painful sometimes). Common amongst teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes, acne can also occur during adulthood.
Further, acne is of the following types:
- Cystic acne: It involves deep, pus-filled pimples that can leave scars.
- Fungal acne: Yeast builds up in hair follicles and these can become itchy and inflamed.
- Hormonal acne: Adults with an overproduction of sebum suffer from it.
- Nodular acne: It causes pimples on the skin surface and nodular lumps underneath it.
Both cystic and nodular acne can cause scarring that may affect one’s self-esteem. Considering this, it is best to seek help from a reputable dermatologist like Dr Anju Mangla early in order to determine the best treatment options.
Which Infections Lead to Acne?
While small amounts of bacteria naturally live on the skin, vast colonies of them can clog pores. This can plug up hair follicles, creating pimples and triggering inflammation. Notably, inflammation can be felt as pain and swelling and seen through skin discolouration like redness around a pimple.
Besides, pores can clog with sebum, which is an oily substance that acts as a protective barrier for the skin. Also, when skin releases dead skin cells, they get stuck in hair follicles causing a clog.
Acne Management and Treatment
To deal with bacterial infections, antibiotics are suggested that not only help treat acne, but can also decrease inflammation. They work by blocking bacteria from entering the body, destroying them and also preventing them from multiplying. Further, antibiotics help treat an infection when bacteria get into a popped pimple.
Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin and clindamycin help control surface bacteria that not only cause acne but also aggravate it. Notably, they are more effective when consumed in combination with benzoyl peroxide. Additionally, oral antibiotics like tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline are best for treating moderate to severe acne. However, they should not be taken for the long term.
To stop new pimples and heal the existing blemishes, the following are the other ways to treat acne that depend on one’s age, the type of acne, and the severity:
- Topical medications: Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, retinoids (or vitamin A derivatives and dapsone
- Oral medications: Isotretinoin
- Contraceptives or birth control pills having a combination of estrogen and progesterone
- Hormone therapy
- Steroids
- Lasers and light therapy
- Chemical peels
How to Prevent Acne?
While acne cannot be completely prevented, these tips can help to lower the risk:
- Wash your face at least once daily with warm water and a gentle cleanser
- Take a bath after exercising
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
- Avoid skin care products with ingredients like alcohol, astringents, toners and exfoliants
- Remove makeup before going to bed
- Use an oil-free moisturiser
- Do not pop, pick or squeeze your acne
- Keep your hands away from your face
In case, these self-care remedies don’t help, it is important to get professional help in time.
In a nutshell, bacterial infections causing acne require special attention and care. While using antibiotics can help ease inflammation, it is best to consult a specialist like Dr Anju Mangla at Apollo, one of the best dermatologists in Delhi, to start the right treatment before scarring occurs.
