I JUST WANT TO POP IT!

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 found that Acne is the 8th most common skin disease. It has a estimated global prevalence of 9.38% within all age groups. The onset of acne is typically corelated with onset of puberty at which point sebum production increases.

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According to the Mayo Clinic article on acne, some of the risk factors for acne including age in which teenagers are most commonly affected (but people ages can get acne), hormonal changes such as pregnancy and puberty, family history of acne, greasy or oily topical substances, friction and pressure on skin caused by items such as cell phones and helmets.

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The occurrence of acne involves 4 factors:

1)Excess sebum production
2)Follicular Plugging with sebum and keratinocytes 3)Colonization of follicles by Cutibacterium Acnes(a normal human anaerobe)
4)Release of multiple inflammatory mediators

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Acne can be further classified into 2 types Inflammatory (Characterized by comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads) and Noninflammatory(Characterized by pustules ,papules, nodules and cysts).The occurrence of pustules and papules are due to breakdown of sebum in fatty acids due to Cutibacterium Acnes which will irritate the follicular epithelium and cause inflammation. This will illicit an inflammatory response by neutrophils and then lymphocytes which further disrupts the endothelium. The inflamed follicle ruptures and when further irritated produces papules.

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The diagnosis of acne can be done by a general practitioner by looking at the skin. This involves examining the face, chest or back for the various types of spots. Mild acne is characterized by mostly blackheads and whiteheads with a few papules and pustules. Moderate acne tends to have widespread whiteheads and blackheads with many papules and pustules. Severe acne is large painful papules, pustules, nodules or cysts and may leave some scarring. It is worth noting that there are over 25 types of grading systems for acne and one universal one has not been found.