Acne? It is not just a “child’s problem”. What you need to know – Corriere.it

by time news

It is not a purely aesthetic disorder: acne a full-fledged disease, plus among the ten most common, along with diabetes and hypertension just to name a few. In Italy it affects between 75 and 85 percent of children in the period from 12 to 18 years, but it can also affect other age groups. An emerging form of acne, for example, the one that appears around the age of 25. It mainly affects the female sex and occurs in women who had not had it previously, due to hormonal alterations, excessive exposure to the sun, use of too occlusive cosmetics, smoking and stress.

What is it due to?

Acne is a sign of adolescent growth, as are height gains and other physical and psychological changes. It is a disease in which both male and female sex hormones play a decisive role, says the professor Stefano Veraldi of the Dermatological Clinic of the University of Milan. The appearance of sex hormones during adolescence leads to an increase in the volume of the sebaceous glands and the beginning of sebum production. The increased production of sebum, associated with an altered function of the cells that line the outlet of the hair follicle, can favor the development of acne in more sensitive individuals. The sebum tends to build up to occlude the pilo-sebaceous canal, which becomes so more easy prey for bacteria, among which the Cutibacterium acnes stands out, a normal commensal of the skin. The proliferation of microorganisms triggers an inflammatory process with the formation of the typical acne lesions, pimples.


How does it manifest itself?

At first they appear comedones, or the well-known black or white points. If no action is taken, these first manifestations can have an inflammatory evolution with the formation of papule (inflamed patches of the skin) and then adventure (the classic pimples). Therefore important to treat acne from the first signs to reduce the risk of an inflammatory process that is more difficult to counteract and which may be accompanied by significant psychological distress.

How can you intervene?

To immediately undertake an optimal path well go to a dermatologist, even in the face of mild forms of acne because these can quickly become more serious. Treatment varies according to the severity of the manifestations. In mild forms, dermocosmetics, such as soothing or photoprotective creams, are essential, but must be associated with local therapy based on the use of retinoids and substances such as azelaic acid and salicylic acid, which have an exfoliating action and thus help to eliminate the blackhead “plug” and the sebum contained. In the intermediate forms it is ideal to use combinations of several active ingredients. For local treatment, for example, products containing an antiseptic, such as benzoyl peroxide, and a retinoid, such as adapalene, or an antibiotic, such as clindamycin, and a retinoid, such as the third. If local treatment is not enough, one can be considered antibiotic therapy by mouth to be continued for no more than three months. Finally, in the most severe forms with nodular lesions, alongside local therapy, the use oforal isotretinoin, a very effective and powerful drug, to be combined with safe contraception because it causes malformations to the fetus in case of pregnancy.

Which areas of the body are most affected?

Face, especially in the forehead and cheeks: this is the area most affected by acne. On the nose comedones may appear, but inflammatory lesions are uncommon. A form of acne that seems to be growing and in any case more widespread than in the past, especially in men, is that of back, an area characterized by larger sebaceous glands and thicker skin.

Can protective masks help it?

Long-term use of masks can maintain and aggravate acne. Wearing the mask for most of the day results in an increase in skin temperature and increased sweating. In this way a microenvironment suitable for the proliferation of bacteria is created living on the skin surface. In addition, sweat composed of water and minerals and the latter can irritate the skin and cause itching, explains Veraldi. The masks therefore, in addition to being able to induce a worsening of acne, cause symptoms that did not exist before, as precisely itching. For similar reasons, masks can also have negative effects on other dermatological diseases such as rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.

May 6, 2021 (change May 6, 2021 | 4:54 pm)

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