Category: Acne Types

Leg Acne

Is it difficult to treat leg acne? The condition of acne is one that is familiar to most teenagers or those going through the adolescent years.  The reason for this is that hormonal fluctuations are a huge cause of acne and pimples.  What many people don’t know however is that acne can occur on numerous areas of the body and is not restricted to the adolescent age group.  Acne is also common on the scalp, back, buttocks, arms, and legs.

Acne on the legs is one of the lesser common forms of acne, but it does occur and is seen primarily in the thigh region, but can occur onother sections of the leg. Acne on the legs manifests itself as small inflammations that appear reddish and these generally occur on the thighs.  Sometimes it will go away, but then come back.  Leg acne is a form of acne on thebody that persists for many people into middle age. The primary cause is currently unknown, but most studies speculate that it has a genetic or hereditary basis.  The medical term is known as keratosis pilaris, and it has been given this name because it is keratin protein that plugs up and collects in the hair follicles causing the red bumps.

For many people, treatment of leg acne is not even necessary as the acne may go away on its own permanently.  It is not uncommon for acne on the legs to disappear naturally over time and never to appear again.  However for those that deal with acne on legs on a recurrent basis, they may want to obtain treatment for it.  Treatment is very similar to treatment of acne anywhere else on the body.  A common over-the-counter method will be a treatment that includes both lactic and glycolic acid in its ingredient list.  These ingredients will dissolve bumps that exist around the follicle.  To date, outside of laser treatments or cosmetic surgery, there is no known treatment for acne on legs that will provide a solution that is permanent.  As with any other acne case, constant treatment to the affected areas is needed.

Natural remedies have been suggested as both preventive and treatment methods for acne on the legs.  Consistent exfoliation with pumice stones and exfoliating cleansers will work well for preventing acne on legs, and will also remove the buildup around the hair follicles, thus providing a gentle treatment method.  Ensuring the area is consistently moisturized following an exfoliation is also said to go a long way towards preventing acne on legs.  Some studies have suggested that a diet high in Vitamin A may be a preventive measure against acne on legs.  A diet containing a high intake of fatty acids has also been said to work as a preventative means for acne on legs.  If you suffer from leg acne, you can try any of these natural means to both prevent and treat it.  Using these methods in conjunction with over the counter treatments will also be a very effective treatment for your leg acne.

Categories : Acne Types

Feline Acne

Feline acne is also known as chin acne or kitty acne, and similarly to acne in humans, has been attributed to a variety of sources – food allergy, contact allergy to plastics, and in some cases stress. Many people mistake feline acne and its symptoms as dermatophytosis, or ringworm, although it has been clearly established that this is not the case.

 

 

Feline acne manifests itself almost exclusively on the face and, more often than not, on the chin and on the lips. It will look like a series of small black dots that look very much like blackheads. These dots may have a tendency to be oily as well. These small blackheads are known as comedones and they will appear in groups so that the chin area will look dirty. The comedones of feline acne may become inflamed or grow into tiny abscesses. These will burst and then form a crust on the cat”s chin. A severe case of feline acne will lead to swelling and hair loss on the affected area, and you will notice your cat scratching much more. If you see this happening, try to prevent this because it will cause more skin trauma; therefore, the potential for a secondary infection is possible.

Feline acne typically appears only once in a cat”s life but, depending on its cause, may turn into a recurring problem. Persian cats have a tendency to have feline acne on the face, as well as in the folds of the skin. Feline acne does not discriminate between either females or males and is present across all breeds and age groups.

The diagnosis of feline acne is fairly standard. In most cases, your veterinarian will be able to determine whether feline acne exists just from examining the patient. If other conditions are suspected, skin scrapings and biopsies may be performed on the lesions. If these procedures are performed, it is more likely to rule out secondary infections, allergies, feline yeast infections, and other conditions. The risk of secondary infection with feline acne can be significant, so your veterinarian will want to rule it out as quickly as possible.

Treatment of feline acne involves controlling the problem, because there is no true cure for it. Mild cases are generally left untreated with the hopes that the problem will rectify itself. More severe cases could involve antibiotic shampoos or creams or a treatment of 3% benzoyl peroxide to break down the oil that is causing the feline acne. Many times switching to stainless steel or glass food dishes can make a tremendous difference in terms of treatment. Plastic food dishes tend to be a breeding ground for bacteria, as debris will find itself into the grooves and nicks in the food bowl, and cause allergic reactions in the form of feline acne. Switching food bowls may be the only treatment your cat needs to overcome feline acne.

If you suspect that your cat has feline acne, there is no need for concern. Feline acne is a problem that carries the same weight as human acne does; it is a nuisance, but it can be dealt with quickly and effectively. And, as with any acne condition, severe cases of feline acne can be managed quite effectively through a doctor”s care.

Categories : Acne Types

Cystic Acne

Cystic acne manifests itself as thick bumps or cysts that occur under the skin and are created through a continuous buildup of oil that occurs deep in the sebaceous glands. There is a reason that acne is referred to as a common condition, and this is because a large percentage of the population is affected by it at some point in their lives. Acne most commonly occurs on the shoulders, face, back, neck, and chest because these areas contain more sebaceous glands than any other part of the body. While acne most often appears as what is known as whiteheads or blackheads, it can often appear as cystic acne as well.

Cystic acne that occurs deep beneath the skin is considered to be an infection, and cystic acne has a tendency to heal much slower than other forms of acne if the waste inthe cysts is not released. The cyst in the cystic acne is a sac that contains a liquid material that is composed of white blood cells, bacteria, and dead skin. The cysts are much larger than standard acne lesions and are usually very inflamed and can often be very painful. Cystic acne extends deep into the skin and is very difficult to treat through standard and over-the-counter treatments.

Because cystic acne is an infection of the pore, antibiotics are often prescribed for the treatment course. These antibiotics will reduce bacteria and combat the inflammation that occurs with cystic acne. In severe cases, antibiotic treatment may need to last for several months, and these can often be used in conjunction with topical treatments to eradicate cystic acne.

The prescription of Isotretinoin, more commonly known as Accutane, is a very effective treatment plan for patients who have severe cystic acne. This medication is taken orally one or two times a day for a period of 3 to 4 months. Accutane has proven to significantly decrease the size of sebaceous glands to ensure less oil production. When this occurs, the growth rate of bacteria slows significantly and cystic acne is eliminated. Accutane is generally used as a treatment of last resort for people with cystic acne due to its unpleasant side effects. This medication has been associated in the formation of birth defects and, thus, women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid this form of treatment.

Another form of treatment of cystic acne is through procedures that are done in the dermatologist ”s office. Your dermatologist can drain your cystic acne or use chemicals to destroy it. Freezing methods, light therapy, and laser resurfacing could be used not only to treat cystic acne but to eliminate any scarring that it may cause. Facial or skin peels are often used for scar removal, and procedures using rotating wire brushes are also used for this same purpose.

Cystic acne is a very painful condition both physically and emotionally. Cystic acne has a greater tendency to leave scarring and is much more difficult to treat than standard acne conditions. As a result, this condition is embarrassing and causes much emotional distress. If you have cystic acne on a regular basis, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about any of these treatment methods.

Categories : Acne Types