Acne is a disorder of the skin, which usually occurs in adolescence especially in people with a strong family history of allergic disorders.

It is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. Severe acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring.

The underlying cause of Acne, which affects approximately 80% of all teenagers, is the increase in quantity of androgens secreted, or increased sensitivity of the sebaceous glands to androgens. These glands are found in areas where acne is common (the face, upper back, and chest). Rarely, Acne can be due to a hormonal imbalance.

Certain foods especially to which the patient is allergic also causes an increase in the activity of the sebaceous glands. The most common offenders are chocolates, nuts, cheese and fatty foods.

Types of ACNE

A comedo is a sebaceous follicle plugged with sebum, dead cells from inside the sebaceous follicle, tiny hair, and sometimes bacteria. When a comedo is open, it is commonly called a blackhead because the surface of the plug in the follicle has a blackish appearance. A closed comedo is commonly called a whitehead; its appearance is that of a skin-colored or slightly inflamed "bump" in the skin.

Dandruff, or shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp at an excessive rate, is the result of normal growing process of skin cells of the scalp. Dandruff scales appear dry, white or grayish, small, unsightly patches, especially on top of the head.

It has been observed that dandruff is more common in people with a family history of allergic manifestations. In this condition there is diffuse scaling of the scalp. It may be of dry or greasy variety.The condition can spread to other hairy regions of the body e.g. eyebrows, beard, axilla, genitalia etc.

It is triggered by overactive oil glands, food allergies, stress, excessive perspiration, too harsh shampoos and further aggravated by endocrine disorders, unbalanced diet, constipation etc.

At any one time, about 10 percent of the hair on scalp is in resting phase. After 2 to 3 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair starts to grow in its place. This growing phase lasts for 2 to 6 years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month during this phase. About 90 percent of the hair on scalp is growing at any one time. It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive (more than normal) hair loss.

Partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly of the scalp occurrs as a consequence of genetic or hormonal factors. It may be associated with dandruff. Hair loss may occur without scarring or gross atrophic changes (noncicatricial) or may follow inflammation, tissue destruction or scar tissue formation (cicatricial).

Skin pigmentation disorders are conditions that cause the skin to appear lighter or darker than normal, or blotchy and discolored. A condition called vitiligo, creates smooth, depigmented white spots on the skin. Any part of the body may be affected, but the most common sites are hands, face, trunk and legs. In hyperpigmentation, the body produces too much melanin, causing skin to become darker than usual.

It is a common, chronic non-infectious skin disease whose course is punctuated by intermissions and remissions. Attacks are more common in winters. It has been commonly observed that it is a hereditary familial disease aggravated by stress, mental trauma, physical injury, digestive upsets etc.

Psoriasis is characterized by well defined slight raised , dry and a typically extensor distribution. Eg. Scalp, palms soles, nails etc.

Follow a healthy diet, rich in red colour fruits, vegetables and fish. Food, high in saturated fats including meat, butter and full-fat dairy as well as soft drinks, cakes, pastries and potatoes, increase the likelihood of skin wrinkling. So they should be avoided. Avoid food which produces heat in the body, for e.g. chocolates, nuts, dry fruits, excessive spicy & sour food, mangoes etc as they increase the activity of sebaceous glands.

Irregular meals and off-time unnecessary snacks should be avoided. Note: Avoid sudden exposure to cold wind, dust, rain, smoke.