Juvenile Acne: Types And Causes
Juvenile acne is one of the skin manifestations that most worries teenagers. At the same time, it brings limitations to social relationships and also often affects self-esteem. There are several factors that influence its development, from hormonal changes to inadequate hygiene. Next, we’ll talk more about the subject.
Why does juvenile acne appear?
Juvenile acne is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit with a chronic and self-limiting course. In most cases, it is caused by Propionibacterium acnes during adolescence, under the influence of normal circulating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
It is a very common skin disorder that can manifest with inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, especially on the face, but it can also occur on the upper arms , trunk and back.
Causes of juvenile acne include the following:
- Use of medications such as lithium, steroids and anticonvulsants.
- Exposure to excessive sunlight.
- Wearing closed clothes.
- Endocrine disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome and even a pregnancy.
- The genetic factors affect the percentage of fatty acids in the oil. Heredity estimates range from 50 to 90%.
Food and acne
The relationship between diet and acne is quite controversial. The probable cause of the possible comedogenic effects of milk and its derivatives is the hormone content produced by cows during pregnancy.
According to studies in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology , the component of milk that most stimulates the pilosebaceous unit is the type 1 insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), whose concentration in the blood varies according to the severity of the disease. acne.
Type 1 insulin-like growth factor levels increase during puberty under the influence of growth hormone and positively correlate with the clinical course of acne.
Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than milk chocolate, which would lead to the conclusion that the former may have much less comedogenic effects.
A change in diet is recommended to prevent the recurrence of acne. This means avoiding chocolates, spicy foods, junk food and sodas. Following a high-protein, low-glycemic-index diet generally reduces the risk of acne breakouts.
Types of juvenile acne
Acne occurs in the central areas of the face, back, upper torso, and deltoid region. In most cases, it presents as polymorphic lesions that start with blackheads.
Grade 1: superficial, non-inflammatory
This type of acne is the initial, the mildest. It is located superficially and its lesions do not present a predominant inflammatory pattern. It is characterized by the presence of open or closed blackheads (also called comedones).
At the same time, it is possible to observe papules in the affected regions, but without presenting a relevant degree of inflammation. There is no evidence of another type of injury at this evolutionary stage.
Grade 2: inflammatory, superficial
The pathology progresses in severity, although the lesions remain in the superficial plane. A slight degree of inflammation is seen in the affected area. This level is characterized by the presence of the following lesions:
- Open or closed carnations.
- Inflammation.
- Papules and pustules (rare).
- No nodules.
- No scars.
Grade 3: highly inflammatory
Inflammation increases significantly and other types of lesions begin to appear, which causes mild discomfort. A moderate to severe degree of inflammation is observed, unlike the previous stages, and in turn, the number of papules and pustules present increases.
In this degree of acne, dermal nodules appear, in small numbers, but evident.
Grade 4: severe or nodule-cystic
It is the most serious of all types of acne. This degree of acne is also called cystic nodule due to the presence of new lesions that compromise a greater extension of the skin surface. The following are all the injuries that can coexist:
- Severe inflammation.
- Open and closed carnations.
- Papules and pustules.
- Nodules (abundant).
- Scars in varying degrees.
Recommendations to keep in mind
Acne is unavoidable, but can be controlled by washing your face regularly with available pH balance solutions such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
It is recommended to avoid foods with a high glycemic index and dairy-based foods, as they play an important role in pathogenesis.
In addition, the stress management, early detection and treatment of the underlying causes, such as, for example, polycystic ovary also help control acne and prevent residual lesions.
Juvenile acne is not just a skin problem
Acne may not be life-threatening, but it does have lifelong psychosocial effects. People with acne and acne scars often develop anxiety and depression, according to publications by the American Academy of Dermatology .
The overall prognosis for acne is good as long as it is accompanied by treatment. Therefore, the proper treatment for each person depends on the individual condition. If you have mild to moderate acne, such as pimples or blackheads, treatment is usually easy. However, if you have cystic or inflammatory acne, then treatment can be more challenging.
