What is ACNE?
- Acne (acne vulgaris) is the term for pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads that commonly form on the face, chest, upper back, or shoulders.
- Acne usually starts during the teens and often persists into adulthood affecting people in their twenties and thirties.
- Fatty foods such as chocolate and nuts are not considered a cause of acne.

Causes of ACNE
- Acne is caused by obstruction of pores by sebum and a protein found in skin, hair, and nails called keratin.
- Production of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that reaches the skin surface through pores, is stimulated by hormones (androgen).
- Accumulation of sebum and keratin under the skin may lead to the formation of open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).
- Bacterial colonization of the trapped sebum may cause an inflammatory reaction that produces inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.

Treatment of ACNE
- The face should be washed with a mild soap or soap which contains benzoyl peroxide. The face should be washed as often as necessary to keep clean, but not scrubbed or over-dried.
- Topical benzoyl peroxides (over-the-counter and prescription) affect both follicular keratinization and the bacterial infection. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- Topical retinoids (prescription only) act primarily on the abnormal follicular keratinization.
- Topical antibiotics (prescription only) kill the bacteria associated with acne.
- Systemic antibiotics (prescription only) also kill the bacteria associated with acne.
- Systemic retinoids (prescription only) shrink sebaceous glands and prevent follicular keratinization.
- Hormonal therapy (prescription only) may help by decreasing sebum production (androgens stimulate sebum production).

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This information is of a general nature and may not apply to your special circumstances. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician or an appropriate health care professional.  These monographs are counseling aids for healthcare professionals only and are not to be used as a reference to diagnose or treat medical conditions.          Copyright 2005 RXinsider LTD