Acne Vulgaris Causes Information

Acne vulgaris is usually caused by more than one factor, interacting to produce the troublesome symptoms of the condition. If a skin process called keratinization in the upper canal of the hair follicle causes an over-production of skin cells, plugs comprised of dead skin cells and excess skin oils result in comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Comedones are the non-inflammatory variety of acne vulgaris. Androgens, or male-like hormones, add to the mix by stimulating the sebaceous glands which secrete lipid-rich sebum. Sebum, in turn, provides the ideal culture for the growth of “Propionibacterium acnes,” the bacteria associated with acne vulgaris. P. acnes, as they are commonly called, tend to reproduce best in an environment short of oxygen -- so the plugged hair follicles offer a prime breeding ground. All these factors come to a “head” (no pun intended) in the inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris: papules, pustules and nodules. Physicians treat acne vulgaris by targeting one or more of these causative factors. Topical agents may be used alone for mild cases of acne, while oral antibioticss are generally reserved for patients with moderate to severe cases. Oral anti-androgens diminish sebum production, which results in the improvement of inflammatory lesions. Accutane is a potent and highly controversial drug that affects all of the major causative factors of acne vulgaris. However, a variety of serious adverse side effects reserves Accutane for the selective treatment of severe, resistant acne.