Treatment for Acne: Does It Go Away Spontaneously?

cne is the most common of all the skin conditions. Its diagnosis is fairly easy that one can know it without consulting a physician. It occurs at puberty, although the onset maybe delayed into the third or fourth decade.

It is caused by obstruction of hair follicles and occurs mostly in the face, neck, and upper chest. It is more common in males. It does not always clear spontaneously when the lesion reached maturity and at which time it develops to pus [pustule]. Retention of sebum in obstructed hair follicles will stimulate the growth of Acne Bacillus [Propionibacterium acnes] resulting to inflammatory reactions by the released of fatty acids and released of sebum extrafollicularly. Acne occurs occasionally or persistently in an acute or chronic manner. If it persist despite of treatments tried, my advice is to seek a physician to rule out the possibility of any of the following risk factors that need to be dealt with:diabetes, hyperandrogenism, obesity, and excessive eating of fatty foods and sweets.

Treatment of acne is based on the type and severity of lesions.

1 Simple, mild, and uncomplicated comedones are treated with hygienic measures such as: washing the skin with mild soap for oily skin. Hibiclens soap which is popularly used in surgery is a good example. It has added antibacterial action and degreasing effect. Topical creams containing Bensoyl Peroxide can clear the acne. Antibiotics are indicated for multiple comedones especially if the above measures don't eliminate the lesions.

2. Moderate to severe inflammatory acne are treated with antibiotics by a physician. It is administered in the form of topical cream or given in oral form. Hygienic measures as mentioned above should be observed. For severe and resistant acne to treatments, Acutane [Isotrinoin] is used with great caution as this drug can be toxic. Incision and drainage for pus formation can be indicated.

3. Acne scar can be treated with topical creams containing Salicylic Acid 2%-6%. This stimulate the growth of new epithelial cells of the epidermis of skin surrounding the scar tissue. Other modalities in treating that are resistant to other medications Laser, Dermabrasion, and surgical excision and skin grafting in extreme cases.

Prognosis: Acne remits eventually. This spontaneous clearing of acne, however, is unpredictable as to when it does. Recurrence at some certain frequency can occur until the patient reaches the age of 45 and very occasional after. Scars, however, will remain if not treated.