The Basics of Acne and How to Treat It
The bane of teen hood for many people, acne causes red, painful skin eruptions, primarily on the face and back, but also on other parts of the body. Although the causes of acne are poorly understood, treatments ranging from simple home remedies and over the counter medications to prescription corticosteroids can help to relieve the pain and embarrassment it engenders.
The term “acne” actually covers several conditions. The most common of these is acne vulgaris, caused when pores become blocked by oil, or sebum, causing dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells to build up and form a plug on the surface, called either a whitehead (completely blocked pore with a white spot on top) or a blackhead (a partially blocked pore with a dark spot formed by some of the skin’s own melanin). Acne vulgarism tends to be most common in teenagers, although anyone can develop it.
