Why People Get Acne

What is the reason behind acne being such a common skin disorder? It’s difficult to pin-point exactly why acne is so widespread in teenagers, more recently in adults, and sometimes in infants. There are three main reasons which come together to cause this irritating skin disease. High hormonal activity during puberty, excess oil (sebum) production by sebaceous glands and a bacteria residing on the surface of human skin, Propionibacterium acnes.

High levels of the male hormone, testosterone, somehow excites the oil glands of skin, called sebaceous glands, to produce more amount of oily substance sebum. These sebaceous glands are situated in the middle layer of skin, the dermis, and secrete oil onto the skin.

Testosterone belongs to a family of hormones called androgens. Usually androgens are considered to be male hormones, but that’s wrong perception as adult women also have active level of androgens in their blood, although this level is just one tenth of those found in men.

This is the reason why some women find that their acne gets worsened before the onset of their menstrual cycle. Obviously, it is related to change in hormonal level which perhaps gives rise to testosterone at mid cycle.

It is not clear why this particular hormone has this effect on the sebaceous glands but it results in the pore-clogging in skin. These pores, called follicles, contain a fine hair which surfaces on the skin through a pore. Higher production of sebum combined with dead cells along the wall of the follicle clogs this pore and leads to pimples or Acne vulgaris (common acne). This acne can be with open pores, called blackheads or with closed pores, called whiteheads. Acne usually occurs on the face, but it can spread onto the back, chest, upper arms, neck and shoulders also. Large, deep and pus filled acne is called cystic lesion and it leads to deep scarring of the skin

Acne infects these body parts because of the large number of sebaceous glands present here. Sometimes infants also suffer from acne which is caused by certain hormones passed to them by their mothers. Sometimes young children or people in their middle age also suffer from acne which might be because of rare conditions of endocrine system.

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by chocolates, colas, or spicy food. Although statistics are available which point out that heredity might be a cause of Acne in some cases.

All these factors would still not have produced any acne had it not been for the bacteria inhabiting our skin. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the most common bacteria found on human skin which is the causative agent of Acne vulgaris. This bacterium thrives on the mixture of dead cells and sebum clogging follicle. P acnes produces propionic acid and lipase to digest the surplus sebum. These bacterial enzymes and chemicals cause local inflammation which causes swelling, redness and pain in the skin as whiteheads.

Simply exfoliating that dead layer of skin though, lets medications like 2.5% Benzoyl Creams kill the hiding bacteria. The anti-inflammatory properties will reduce swelling in infected papules and pustules, allowing a relief from the soreness that often accompanies acne outbreaks. The oxidizing factor dries out the thickened sebum or fluid within the acne and helps to alleviate the plugged pores, so that acne may heal without trauma to the area caused by popping the acne. To be most effective, one should use a Benzoyl Peroxide exfoliator. To read more about this particular form of treatment, click here.

P. acnes is believed to be a non-toxic bacteria, but research has proven that it’s capable of causing serious infection to various body sites. It may cause intravascular infections, infect central nervous system and rarely, arthritis and dental infection.

Not that P. acnes is only harmful to humans. A recent research says that this acne causing bacteria may actually save the patient the risk of other infections and even cancer in later years.

According to Dr Anne Eady, (Skin research center, University of Leeds), “people suffering from acne had shown to be more resistant to certain types of skin cancer.”

According to Dr Eady, when P. acnes bacterium triggers an immune response, it enhances immunity to unrelated antigens including bacterial, viral, parasitic and tumor cells.”

Dr. Eady envisions a future where people will pop pills of P acnes in a bid to safeguard against more deadly disease than acne. “Acne may simply be the price we pay for the optimum performance of a natural defense mechanism.”

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