Acne is a very common skin complaint, which not only affects teenagers but quite a few adults as well. It is caused when the too much sebum (oil) is produced and causes the pores on the skin to become blocked. Certainly if left untreated not only is it unsightly but also can if severe enough lead to scarring on a person’s skin. Below we take a look at the acne signs and symptoms.
In most cases the main area on which the acne is likely to appear is a person’s face. However, in some cases it can also appear on their neck, chest, back or shoulders also because these areas also have glands, which are able to produce sebum. But when it comes to identifying if you have acne or not you should be looking for the following.
1. In most cases the first sign of acne is when white head or black heads begin to erupt on the person’s skin. Known as Comedones by medical professionals these are produced at the hair follicle openings that will have become blocked because the body is secreting too much oil and this prevents dead skin cells from leaving the body. Also there is an increased risk that these can become infected as bacteria may well be prevented from being eliminated from the body also.
2. The next form of acne that some people suffer from is known as Papules and which will often appear on the skin as little raised bumps. These are often formed around the hair follicles on the skin, which have become infected and inflamed and will not only be tender to touch by red in color.
3. Another form of acne that some people may get is pustules that are very similar to Papules but will have a white tip, which contains pus. This pus is made up of bacteria which if allowed to come into contact of other areas of skin can cause further eruptions of acne.
4. Next we move on to a form of acne, which is known as Nodules. These are much large and unsightly bumps compared to the other signs that you are suffering from acne. Along with being large they can be painful and are caused by a build up of secretions (including oil and dead skin cells) deep inside the hair follicles.
5. Finally there are cysts these again are painful and are similar in appearance to nodules but they are also filled with pus. The biggest problem a person faces if they have this kind of acne symptom is that they can lead to scarring.
The biggest problem a person faces with these signs and symptoms of acne is that if any are allowed to rupture they can actually lead to the infection and inflammation spreading to other areas of skin surrounding them. Therefore it is important that a person suffering from any of the acne signs and symptoms above should seek medical advice from their doctor as soon as possible. Simply because they may actually find that they have some other underlying medical condition that is causing them to suffer from this particular kind of skin condition.