Acne spots

Acne spots are caused by the blockage and infection of the hair follicle in the skin. When the sebaceous glands surrounding the hair follicle produce too much of the skin's natural oil, sebum, a plug forms and darkens to become a blackhead. Bacteria multiply in the trapped sebum, causing infection, a pus-filled pimple to form, and inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

There are two main types of bacteria and a yeast type of fungus that are all over the skin surface. They are harmless and benign in normal skin. However, they become harmful bacteria on oily skin.

Acne spot Treatment

Moderate and severe acne may require a course of antibiotics taken by mouth. These have an anti-inflammatory action and are successful in most people after the first month. They can be used in combination with a skin preparation such as benzoyl peroxide. Some female acne sufferers seem to have an excess of the male hormone androgen and a contraceptive pill such as Dianette may prove very useful.

Washing the skin twice daily with warm water and a mild cleanser may help clear up acne and prevent further outbreaks.

A highly inflammatory form of acne is not uncommon amongst anaemic women who require frequent doses of Vitamin B12.

In treating acne, sulphur drug preparations work in other ways too. It loosens and dislodges the blackheads from skin pores by causing the skin to peel. The skin condition begins to improve within two to three weeks. There are no major side-effects. However, it is good to test whether the patient is allergic to sulphur or not.