Acne

Posted by on March 4, 2011 under Diseases and Conditions | Be the First to Comment

Though common and virtually never life-threatening, acne is a potentially disfiguring skin disease which often strikes those in an emotionally and developmentally vulnerable stage of life-adolescence. It affects the glands in the skin which secrete the natural lubrication (sebum) for the hair follicles and surrounding skin, which are located in greatest concentrations on the face, back, shoulders and chest.

Acne lesions are of several types. Blackheads (comedones) are glands plugged with excessive material which discolours on exposure to air. Whiteheads are small collections of pus within glands, and nodules or papules are the red, inflamed areas of more extensive infection. Read more of this article »