[align=center][u][b] ACNE[/b] [/u] Also called: Pimples, Zits [img]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/images/acne.jpg[/img] [/align] Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars. No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and pimples are not caused by dirt. Stress doesn't cause acne, but stress can make it worse. If you have acne * Clean your skin gently * Try not to touch your skin * Avoid the sun Treatments for acne include medicines and creams. Treating Mild Acne Mild acne consists of small lesions, such as blackheads, whiteheads or pustules, which appear at or near the surface of the skin. As such, mild cases of acne can sometimes be controlled at home by: * Gently washing the affected area(s) with warm water and a mild soap twice a day to remove dead skin cells and excess oil * Using a topical (applied to the skin) over-the-counter acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid * Following the 12 Ways to Get Better Results from Acne Treatment Most mild acne can be controlled by gently washing the affected area(s) and using a topical preparation, such as benzoyl peroxide. [align=center][img]http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/images/TreatMildAcne.jpg[/img][/align] At-home treatment requires 4-8 weeks to see improvement. Once acne clears, treatment must be continued to prevent new lesions from forming. Even mild cases of acne may require the help of a dermatologist. If the acne does not respond to at-home treatment, a dermatologist can assess the situation and determine an appropriate therapy. In these cases, combination therapy (two or more treatments) may be used. Combination therapy may include use of a prescription topical antimicrobial or topical retinoid. These prescription topicals can be very effective in clearing mild acne. ------- SOURCE: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/acne.html

Last edited by bryekristoff20 (2010-05-01 09:54:49)