Juvenile acne is one of the biggest aesthetic problems that many adolescents face when they reach puberty. Find out what symptoms it produces, what causes it and the most useful and recommended treatments.
Acne is one of the most typical signs of puberty and adolescence. However, it is not exclusive to young people and adults can also suffer from those annoying pimples on our face and other parts of the body, although it is true that from a popular point of view it is better known as juvenile acne.
It basically consists of a skin disease characterized by the inflammation of the sebaceous glands and by the appearance of pimples and blackheads, especially in two points or common areas of our body: on the face and back, and may also appear in other areas. just as common, as is the case of the chest and shoulders.
In the skin we find small dimples known as pores, which are connected to the sebaceous glands located under the skin through a channel known as a follicle.
The glands are responsible for producing sebum (an oily substance), which transports dead skin cells to the skin’s surface for removal. However, when the follicle becomes clogged or plugged, a pimple or pimple forms.
Symptoms of juvenile acne
Acne is a condition that occurs on our skin. The pimples that we usually see in these cases originate in the follicles, a small channel that has each of the pores of the skin and through which it connects to the sebaceous glands.
When the follicles become clogged, they retain a greasy substance -produced by the sebaceous glands- that is called sebum. This process is usually accompanied by a swelling caused by bacteria.
Acne can manifest itself in different ways, the most common are:
- White dots under the surface of the skin.
- Black dots on the surface of the skin.
- Papules are raised pink pimples that can be sore to the touch.
- Pustules are red pimples on the bottom and contain pus on top.
- Nodules are larger, solid pimples that form inside the skin and cause pain.
- Cysts are pimples that are lodged deeper and have pus inside, they also cause pain and can leave scars.
Causes of juvenile acne
Although an exact cause of this condition has not yet been determined, some factors can cause its appearance. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, pimples are something that we normally associate with puberty, this is because during adolescence there is a huge hormonal increase (which is responsible for the many changes that the body goes through at this stage of life) and this can cause the oil glands to become more clogged.
But intense hormonal changes also occur during pregnancy, this means that one of the changes experienced during pregnancy is the appearance of acne in the mother-to-be. Another factor that alters the normal levels of hormones and can cause acne is the contraceptive pill, whether it is started or has been suspended.
In addition, other causes of acne can be family inheritance, taking certain medications or using greasy makeup. It should be noted that, contrary to popular opinion, chocolate and fried foods do not cause acne! Although in any case we must consume them moderately to avoid other health inconveniences.
Acne treatment
Acne treatment should be done through consultation with a dermatologist, who is a doctor specializing in skin health. The goal of this treatment is usually to heal existing pimples or blackheads and prevent their reappearance, while also preventing the appearance of scars.
It is also important to work on how the patient feels about it, since acne in severe cases, and especially when it is located on the face, can generate feelings of shame, desire not to go out, shyness, etc.
Generally, dermatologists, depending on the case of each patient and the type of acne they present, will recommend medications with or without a medical prescription. Some of these medicines are topical, that is, they are applied to the skin, and others are oral pills.
