Dr Sahil Gorka
“…Now I’m 14 and am all of a sudden getting it. It’s made me depressed and suicidal. Twice I’ve tried committing suicide because of this .
I cry basically everyday. My parents just tell me “it happens at this age.” but I’m the only one at school with it……”.
These are the words of a teenage schoolgirl from USA. After reading it, everyone must be wondering how can a simple 2 mm “pimple” drive someone up to the extent of suicide and depression. Well “pimple” is not something related only to skin, it elicits a strong emotional and psychological response in the patients, most of whom are emotionally vulnerable teenagers. The first and foremost thought that arises in the patient’s mind is the one told to me by a budding film actor Bela . She said , ” When i had pimples, i feared that i would never
be able to look like the way i used to be…that thing used to haunt me the most “. That, in itself is such a heart breaking thought for a teenager, but fortunately, its a false belief . The pimples as well as the scars go off eventually and the real natural skin returns in due course of time. Yes, just like other simple diseases, these pimples can be cured .
Now since the patients reading this must be a little relieved, i shall go into the basic medical cause behind pimples. ” Acne vulgaris” is the actual term for “pimples” , and it may affect the face, upper part of chest and over the back. it may present as red papule like, nodule like , as Blackheads or as Whiteheads. Our skin contains hair follicles which are like pores or pits . Acne occurs when these pores (hair follicles) become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands. These glands secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate your hair and skin. Sebum normally travels up along the hair shafts and then out through the openings of the hair follicles onto the surface of your skin. When your body produces an excess amount of sebum ( as under the influence of hormones in puberty) and dead skin cells, the two can build up in the hair follicles and form together as a soft plug, creating an environment where bacteria ( Propionibacterium acnes ) can thrive.
Since there is hormone abundance in teenage, hence pimples are fairly
common in that age . The Acne scars are the result of inflammation within the skin brought on by acne and most of these scars go away fairly early after the acne has healed, although some scars may take longer time.
Globally acne affects almost 90% of people during their teenage years and often persists into adulthood.
Pimple precaution
* Wash, wipe and dry- – Whether or not you have acne, it’s important to wash your face twice daily with a good facewash ( oil control ) or mild soap to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin’s surface. Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly , it may aggravate acne. Be gentle, thorough and generate good lather. Always wash with cold water and wipe your face with a clean sun dried towel , in such a way that skin should be free of the moisture after wiping.
* Be a water tank – Drink loads and loads of water. It helps to rejuvenate the tone of your skin and hydrates it.
* Break up with make up– Strictly avoid cosmetic applications and creams, as they will clog your pores and cause the sebum to accumulate inside your pores, leading to pimples. Even if you have to wear a make up, choose oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals. Wash it well before sleeping and never ever sleep with your make up on .
* Dry hair no fear– Avoid using oils or gels on your hair while you have pimples . If they get on your face, they can block your skin’s pores and irritate your skin. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face, so wash your hair often. If you have long hair, Keep them pulled away from your face.
Remember, The cleaner your face is , the clearer your face will be .
* Do not touch it- Keep your hands off your face. Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already inflamed facial skin. Never ever pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can lead to infection and scarring. No matter how itchy you get, do not touch it, wipe your face with dry hankerchief or tissue paper.
* Eat Healthy- Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate, don’t cause pimples. Okay Girls, you do not have to jump at this. Still, it makes sense to avoid oily and junk food . Add more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet, no matter how boring that gets. Diet Studies indicate that certain dietary factors, including dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods — such as bread, bagels and chips may trigger acne.
Concluding , I must say , only the teenager knows, where the pimple pinches !!!
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