Wednesday, August 6, 2008

How to Stop Acne - The Role of Genes and External Factors in Causing Acne

How to Stop Acne

The Role of Genes and External Factors in Causing Acne
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Genetic factors play an important role in acne, although which genes exactly are involved have yet to be identified. It is likely that a combination of genes from both parents is responsible. And by identifying this factors would be a very big help to be able to know how to stop such acne.

It is often observed that several members of the same family have acne, albeit to varying degrees. Identical twins are usually both affected by acne, while such an incidence is much less for non-identical twins. If one or both parents has or had a severe acne, then the child is at risk of also developing severe acne in his teens. The methods how their parents stop their acne should be taught carefully to them.

External factors also play a role in aggravating and/or causing acne. These includes a hot, humid climate, stress, picking and squeezing at the lesions, medicaments, drugs, cosmetics, and occupation. These factors should ideally be minimized in the overall management of acne.

How to Stop Acne

Severity Grades of Acne

1. Mild Acne

In mild acne, the degrees of inflammation is minimal, with mainly comedones and small, inflamed papules and pustules. The risk of scarring in mild acne is low. There is often associated increased oiliness (seborrhoea) of the skin.

2. Moderate Acne

In moderate acne, the degrees of inflammation is more intense. In addition to comedones and increased oiliness of the skin there are many inflamed papules and pustules. There maybe a few nodules present as well. The risk of scarring increases with the degree of inflammation.

3. Severe Acne

In severe acne, the inflammation is very intense and extends deep into the skin, with multiple nodules and cysts. The individual lesions may merge to form larger confluent lesions and pus-filled tracts (sinuses). The inflamed nodules tend to be painful, and discharging pus is often seen. Over-the-counter acne creams are generally ineffective against severe acne. As there is great risk of scarring in severe acne, patients should seek early medical advice on how to stop of acne of this grade, so that the inflammation can be reduced rapidly.

How to Stop Acne

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