Characterizing Adult Teenage and Baby Acne
Adult teenage and baby acne have a lot in common. For one, whether young or old, we would rather not have it. For another, there is always hope of avoiding or treating the condition. Whatever phase in our lives we do acquire this irritating skin condition, it is much better to know a bit of what we are up against.
Adult teenage and baby acne are conditions characterized by the inflammation of the skin due to changes in its structure, particularly in the sebaceous gland. Acne is more associated with adolescence, but it can also afflict adults - and in some cases - babies.
Adolescence is the period most prone to pimples or acne. This is because the sebaceous gland is more likely to secrete excessive oil during teenage years than any other period of human life. The onset of puberty is associated with the production of hormones called androgens which could lead to excessive oil production. The excess oil causes the skin pores to get clogged with dead skin cells, hair follicles, dirt and other unwanted materials. The clogged pores then provide a home for the acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes.
For some, acne eventually disappears after they get past their teenage years, but for others, this affliction continues on to their adult years. There is no way of predicting whether a teenager who suffered from acne will be free from it once he or she reaches adulthood. Whatever the case might be, seeking the help of skin specialists is still the best way to cope with this skin condition.
It is not only teenagers and adults who suffer from zits; babies too can experience this skin problem. Baby pimples, also called acne neonatorium, can result from overstimulation of the baby's sebaceous glands due to maternal hormones. These maternal hormones cause the baby's oil glands to produce red papules. They usually appear on the cheeks but can also manifest on the baby's neck and back. Baby pimples usually disappear after a few weeks, although there are cases when it could last for a few months. However long these pimples do stay, it is advisable not to use adult acne treatment on babies since their skin is more sensitive than adults and using adult medication can result in skin breakouts.
Adult teenage and baby acne, unless already in the severe stage, can be treated easily. But before anything else, a visit to a skin specialist is recommended to avoid potential complications and also to prevent scarring.
