Chapter 18 - Acne Flashcards
What is ance and how does it develop?
- Acne is a disease of the sebaceous hair follicle
- Sebum is trapped within the follicle unlike normal circumstances where sebum produced by sebaceous glands travels up the hair follicle and out onto the skin surface.
- Acne develops on areas of the skin where sebaceous glands are most numerous.
What is the common/ordinary acne called?
Acne vulgaris
What are the 4 basic factors for the development of acne?
(1) Hormones (androgens)
(2) Increased sebum production
(3) Changes inside the follicle
(4) Bacteria
How does hormone aid the development of acne?
- Acne begins when the body starts to produce hormones (androgens) at about age 11 to 14 years
- Androgens cause sebaceous gland to enlarge
- Acne develops when sebaceous glands are over-stimulated by androgens
- Young women have acne flare-ups that coincides with hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle.
How does increased sebum production aid the development of acne?
- Androgens stimulate sebaceous gland causing more sebum to be produced.
- Sebum accumulates in the follicle
- Sebum travels up the hair follicle and mixes with normal skin bacteria and dead skin cells
- Greater sebum production, greater the likelihood the follicle will get clogged.
How does changes inside the follicle aid the development of acne?
- As androgen production increases, sebaceous glands enlarge
- Dead cells inside the follicle shed gradually and are expelled onto the surface.
- During puberty, these cells shed more rapidly and tend to stick together
- When the cells mix with sebum, they can clog the follicle
How does bacteria aid the development of acne?
- Clogged follicle becomes a breeding ground for bacteria
- One type of bacteria specifically involved is Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes (Normal resident on the skin which ingests the sebum)
- Follice gets clogged and sebum builds ups inside causing P. acnes to multiply rapidly
How are acne lesions generally defined?
1) Size
2) Inflammatory/ non- inflammatory
What are the 2 types of non-inflammatory lesions and what are the general difference between them?
(1) Open comedones (Blackheads)
- Contents of the follicle are firmly impacted inside
- Tightly compacted cells and sebum give the follicle its ‘black’ appearance
(2) Closed comedones (Whiteheads)
- White or skin-coloured, small bumps on or under the skin.
What are the 3 types of inflammatory acne lesions?
(1) Papules
(2) Pustules
(3) Nodules
- Have a red colour, often making a ring around the pimple itself.
- Result when sebaceous materials from the comedo get into the surrounding tissue and cause an inflammatory reaction
Describe the genetic connection of acne.
Similarities in acne among family members regarding the types of acne lesions, duration of acne, severity of acne
How can cosmetics cause acne?
- May be caused by ingredients that clog pores. (known as comedogenic)
- Should look for non-comedogenic cosmetics and toiletries.
Describe the susceptibility of the public to acne.
- Close to 100% of age 12-17 have at least an acne lesion
- Most are able to manage with over-the-top counter treatments.
- Usually occurs between age 11 to 14 and usually last 5 to 10 years. Normally disappears in early 20s
- Young men more likely to have more severe, longer lasting forms of acne
- Young women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to the hormonal changes associated with menstrual cycle and acne caused by cosmetics
Describe the process and types of scars from acne.
- Scarring because acne is a skin disease and skin responds by repairing it
- Repair can produce a scar that looks like a pit in the skin.
- Red mark on skin called an erythematous macule will fade in 4-6 months after an acne outbreak (red macule not a scar)
When should you seek professional advice for acne lesions?
- Tried OTC products but does not work.
- Acne interferes with enjoyment of life
- Acne scars in addition to acne lesions
- Acne lesion are large and painful
