What comes in our mind when we think of acne and pregnancy? When we think of acne, we almost always associate it as being one of the standard trials of adolescence.  The reason acne is so common in adolescence is due to the extraordinary changes of hormones that occur during the teenage years.  These hormonal surges are also very common during pregnancy and acne and pregnancy is a very common problem.

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy result in a noted increase in sebum production that consequently fills the pores and forms acne.  During the various stages of pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations are extremely high, and as a result, acne and pregnancy quite often go hand in hand.  Acne and pregnancy is most commonly experienced during the first three months of pregnancy as this is when the highest and quickest fluctuations of hormonal surges occur.

Acne and pregnancy is a very difficult condition to treat. The reason for this is that most medications traditionally prescribed for acne would have negative effects on the unborn baby.  One antibiotic known as Erythromycin may be prescribed for acne and pregnancy if the condition is severe.  This is not always the most effective solution however as many bacteria on the skin are resistant to the antibiotic.  Erythromycin may be used as an alternative if other methods have failed, but it is not always the most effective treatment method for acne and pregnancy.  Thus, acne and pregnancy is generally treated with over the counter solutions or through natural remedies.

The condition of acne that occurs on the head or scalp area is known as acne keloiditis.  Acne keloiditis occurs on the occipital section of the scalp, on the back of the neck, and in rare situations over the whole scalp area.  This kind of acne is a condition that commonly occurs in men as the result of using unsterilized hair clippers or products that have gotten too close to the skin.

In the hair styling industry, it is standard that many clippers, blades, and their assorted attachments have previously been used on dozens of clients before being used on any specific individual.  If these appliances have not been sterilized properly, they can cause an inflammation on the scalp and neck area known as acne keloiditis.

Acne keloiditis can be an extremely painful and even disfiguring situation.  Acne keloiditis is considered a chronic case of acne that often results in inflammation and raised scarring.  The scars caused by acne keloiditis are known as keloids, and these scars can itch, swell, bleed, and grow significantly in size in severe cases.  In many cases, acne keloiditis will even cause permanent loss of hair in the affected area.  In acne keloiditis, lesions and keloids will become inflamed and will burst and bleed overnight while sleeping, or shortly following a shower.

Acne rosacea is a condition affecting tens of millions of people throughout the world. Often called the “curse of the Celts,” acne rosacea is most prominent in fair-skinned people of Northwestern European descent and is almost three times more likely to appear in women than in men. There are also many subtypes of acne rosacea that will be discussed later. The cause of acne rosacea is not known exactly, although there are several theories about its onset; there are several effective methods of treatment.

Acne rosacea is categorized into four main subtypes, but multiple subtypes may manifest simultaneously in the same person. The first of these subtypes is Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, which exhibits permanent redness and a tendency to blush very easily. This condition is also accompanied by visible blood vessels at the skin”s surface and also some itchiness. The second subtype is Papulopustular rosacea. This is often confused with acne because, in addition to sustained redness, there are red papules, some of which are filled with pus. The third major subtype is Phymatous rosacea, which is usually characterized by an enlargement of the nose. Other symptoms associated with Phymatous rosacea include thickening of the skin and other facial irregularities. The last major manifestation of acne rosacea is Ocular rosacea. This affects the eyes and eyelids and often results in burning, redness, and irritation in the eyes. Also typical of Ocular rosacea is the feeling of a foreign object in the eye.