All about acne
The causes of spots appearance (or, scientifically, acne) can be various factors. But the mechanism of development, typically involves four main elements.
Lets consider the four main causes of acne:
Elevated levels of male sex hormones (hyperandrogenic)
Hyperactivity sebaceous
Cornification of skin tissue (follicular hyperkeratosis)
Acne and Bacteria
Hyperactivity sebaceous
Not many people know that virtually the entire surface of the skin is covered with microscopic sebaceous glands. The only exceptions are palms and soles.
However, these glands cover the body not uniformly: the largest and most frequently are located on face particularly on nose and cheeks, as well as on the upper chest, above the shoulder-blades and between them.
The sebaceous glands lie at a level of about 0.5 mm below the surface of the skin. In places of the highest concentrations of sebaceous glands (scalp, forehead, chin, back), their number reaches 800 or more per 1 cm2.
In the course of life, the depth of the skin and the magnitude of the sebaceous glands are changing. The younger the child, the greater its sebaceous glands, the more they work, and closer they located.
However, over the years, the activity of these glands gradually slow down, some of them dying. The chemical composition and texture of sebum is changing. This continues until the beginning of puberty: the action of hormones (in particular, male sex hormones – androgens) sebaceous glands increase their secretary activity increases, reaching the “maximum life” for 18-25 years.
The sebaceous glands are different from short hair and long hair. The largest glands are located just where there are typical elements of acne – in the places of greatest congestion. They consist of many parts and that is why they are called sebaceous follicles.
The main objective of the sebaceous glands, as it follows from their names – producing sebum. It serves as a lubricant for the hair during their growth, softens the upper layer of the epidermis, protects the skin from the water, microorganisms, giving it elasticity. Within 24 hours the sebaceous glands secrete up to 20 g secretion, consisting of fatty acids, fats, cholesterol, glycerol, etc. Mingling with the sweat, the fat forms a thin pellicle of water-fat emulsion (“acid mantle of the skin”), which plays an important role in maintaining the normal state of the skin.
But it is only in cases where the functioning of the sebaceous glands is normal. (more…)
Acne treatment. What to do about them?
Acne should be treated correctly to avoid scars. First of all consult a dermatologist. Only the dermatologist can determine the cause of your acne break out. If you are older than 25 years old, he is likely to ask you to undergo a full examination, since acne at this age may be a consequence of some disease.
The treatment of acne should be prescribed by your dermatologist as well and may vary depending on your sex, age, duration of the break-out, clinicopathologic examination (identifying type, localization and abundance of the elements) and the results of complete examination (helps to detect concomitant diseases). The treatment course should be determined individually for each patient and may include hormonal treatment, immune system improvement or topical treatment only, etc. Self-treatment is ineffective and even dangerous, since it may worsen acne break-out and cause complications including scars.
The acne treatment approach depends on the type of acne break-out, but the common principles are the following:
* inhibition of sebaceous gland function;
* elimination of dead skin cells blocking the canals of sebaceous glands;
* elimination of bacteria causing skin inflammation.
Acne therapy consists of special skin care and medicines. The medicines for treating acne may come in a form of ointments, creams, masks, tablets for peroral administration and even injections(in severe cases). However, today most dermatologists recommend their patients to use medicines for topical use, i.e. lotions, creams, ointments, etc.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is one of the most common and at the same time mysterious diseases. Nobody can tell for sure what the exact causes of psoriasis are. It is only known that it is a systemic disease of noninfectious etiology. The first symptoms of psoriasis are skin exfoliation and itching. Further on, round pink plaques with scales develop on the skin; when scratched droplets of blood appear on them. With time psoriasis may affect significant areas of skin and nails. But the most dangerous form of the diseases is psoriatic arthritis which damages vessels.
Earlier psoriasis had been treated with small doses of arsenic. Presently it is treated with immunosuppressive agents, creams with vitamin A and D and other ointments. If the disease has reached a more serious phase, blood purification and ultraviolet therapy are usually prescribed. But do not think that you can treat yourself by simply attending a solarium, though UV therapy is almost same thing. Ultraviolet in large doses may worsen the course of the disease.
Most researchers have come to the conclusion that the causes of the psoriasis have neurological nature. They advise psoriatic patients to cope with internal problems, fears, sense of guilt and offence, etc. Psychotherapy sessions indeed may give positive effects in the treatment of psoriasis.
Hemangioma treatment
Surgical treatment is used when the vascular tumor is localized too deep and it could be removed wholly without much cosmetic damage or when other methods of treatment are supposed to be ineffective.
Radiotherapy is used in complicated cases when Hemangioma is localized in areas where other methods of treatment are impossible to use (e.g. eye socket region). Radiotherapy is intended for treating simple Hemangioma, when it affects large areas of skin.
Radiotherapy is carried out by separate fractions with intervals varying from 2-4 weeks to 2-6 months. Tiny Hemangioma localized in regions inaccessible for other methods of treatment are treated with electrocoagulation. Bleeding Hemangioma are treated with electrocoagulation too.
Electrocoagulation is not used for treating deeply located and spreading types of Hemangioma.
Sclerosing is used for treating small but deeply localized vascular tumors, especially cavernous and mixed Hemangioma on the face and tip of the nose. For sclerosing a 70% alcohol is used.
The disadvantages of sclerosing therapy include painfulness and prolonged course of the treatment.
The advantage of injection therapy against other conservative methods consists in its simplicity.
One of the new methods of treatments of spreading Hemangioma in children is hormonal therapy with prednisolone. Hormonal therapy is a rather efficient method of treatment, however its high effectiveness (98%) does not provide desired cosmetic effect. This method stops the vascular tumor growth and is used as a supplemental treatment.
Cryogenic therapy (treatment with low-temperature impact) is used for simple Hemangioma of any localization. It does not require anesthesia and is carried out in the outpatient setting.
Hemangioma
Hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor very common in children.
In spite of its benign nature, Hemangioma may develop into malignant tumor.Even tiny vascular tumors in infants may reach huge sizes. Though there is a possibility of self-recovery, generally the course of this disease is unpredictable.
Simple Hemangioma is red or purple in color, well-defined and located on the surface of the skin. It grows predominantly from under its sides and affects the skin and several millimeters of subcutaneous fat. The surface of Hemangioma is usually smooth, though sometimes it could be uneven or bulging. When pressed, Hemangioma turns pale but later restores its color.
Cavernous hemangioma is located under skin in a form of a circumscribed nod. It looks like a tumor covered with bluish or unaltered skin at the top. When pressed, Hemangioma recedes and turns pale (resulting from blood outflow).
Mixed Hemangioma represents combination of surface (simple) and subcutaneous (cavernous) Hemangioma.
Mixed Hemangioma consists of tumor cells originating from vessels and other tissues. The appearance, color and consistency of Hemangioma depend on the tissues the tumor consists of.