Though it's often portrayed as a scourge of the teen years, acne can affect people of all ages. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 have outbreaks of the skin disorder at some point.
"Many see their acne go away by the time they reach their 30s," says Jane Liedtka, a medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). "But for some, acne persists into their 40s and 50s."
For more information about Acne Treatments at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
Spurred by inflammation of skin glands and of tiny, narrow canals in the skin known as hair follicles, acne is marked by pimples and other lesions. It commonly appears on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.
Acne is not usually a serious health condition. "But it can cause significant emotional distress, as well as permanent scarring of skin tissue," says Liedtka, who has 15 years of clinical experience treating acne. She now works in CDER's Division of Dermatology and Dental Products.
A Disease of the PSUs
Clinically, acne is described as a disease of features known as pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found just under the skin, PSUs are numerous on the face, upper back, and chest, and contain sebaceous glands that are connected to hair follicles. The sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that empties onto the skin via the hair follicle.
Liedtka explains, "it is known that acne is partly the result of the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands and the hair follicles," she says. "The earliest lesion of acne is a plugging of the pores of the skin."
Factors believed to be related to acne formation include increases in sex hormones called androgens that occur in both boys and girls during puberty. Androgens cause sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum in hair follicles hormonal changes related to pregnancy or to starting or stopping use of birth control pills genetics.
Beware of Myths
"There are many misconceptions out there about how acne forms, as well as on how to treat the condition," says Liedtka.
Here are some facts about acne:
There is no known way to prevent the development of acne.
Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, sweating, or not washing. "These factors do not cause the clogged pores that contribute to acne development," says Liedtka. While medicated washes containing benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are one form of treatment for acne, simple soap and water does not treat the condition, she adds.
Acne is not caused by diet. No scientific connection has been found between diet and acne. No food—not chocolate, fries, pizza, or any other food—has been shown to cause acne.
Acne does not need to be allowed to run its course. "The condition can be treated," says Liedtka. "There are prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products for it. If products you have tried haven’t worked, consider seeing a dermatologist."
Types of Acne
Every mark on the skin produced by acne is a type of lesion. The mildest cases of acne produce blackheads and whiteheads. (The color of these is determined by whether the plugged follicle remains open or closed. If it is closed, it is a whitehead.)
More troublesome acne lesions include:
papules – inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch
pustules (pimples) – white or yellow pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base
nodules – large, painful, solid lesions lodged deep within the skin
cysts – deep, painful, pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring
Treatments
The type of treatment people with acne get depends on the severity of the outbreak. "There are OTC products for mild cases, while a visit to a health care professional such as a dermatologist may be in order for the more stubborn cases," says Liedtka.
Acne treatments are regulated by FDA under the same provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act covering prescription and non-prescription (or OTC) products.
Topical OTC medicines are applied to the skin and come in many forms, including gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and pads. Typical OTC treatments for mild acne include benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur.
"It is best to read the labels or talk to your health care professional before you use any of these products, so that you know which is right for you, what if any side effects may occur, and when you can expect to see results," says Liedtka.
Types of prescription topical medicines used to treat acne include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, dapsone, and vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids.
People with moderate to severe inflammatory acne may be treated with prescription topical or oral medicines, alone or in combination. And people with nodules or cysts should be treated by a dermatologist.
Caution with Isotretinoin
Patients with severe nodular acne that does not improve with the use of other treatments may be prescribed isotretinoin, which is sold under the brand names Accutane, Sotret, Claravis, and Amnesteem.
Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative that is taken orally once or twice a day with food for 15 to 20 weeks. It reduces the size of the oil glands so that less oil is produced.
Although effective, isotretinoin is associated with serious side effects, especially for pregnant women. According to the medication guides for these products, isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects in the developing fetus of a pregnant woman. It is vital that women of childbearing age are not pregnant and do not get pregnant while they take isotretinoin, or for 30 days after completion of treatment.
Because isotretinoin can cause birth defects, it is only for patients who can understand and agree to carry out all of the instructions in iPLEDGE, a mandatory distribution program intended to prevent the use of the drug during pregnancy due to the high risk of birth defects.
Products containing isotretinoin may cause serious mental health problems in persons taking the drug. Other side effects include dry eyes, mouth, lips, nose, or skin; itching; nosebleeds; muscle aches; sensitivity to the sun; poor night vision; changes in the blood, such as an increase in fats in the blood; and changes in liver function.
Keeping Acne in Check
Meanwhile, it helps to know what can cause or worsen an outbreak. According to the National Institutes of Health, these factors can make acne worse:
changes in hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered in the work environment (for example, a kitchen with fry vats) pressure from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight sports uniforms environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity squeezing or picking at blemishes hard scrubbing of the skin
stress The Web site KidsHealth.org suggests that if you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that are noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic, which means that they don't clog pores.
"Acne can cause a lot of distress," says Liedtka. "But consumers have treatment options. Just remember to learn as many facts as possible, and to disregard the myths. And do not hesitate to talk to a health care professional about your treatment options."
For more information about Acne Treatments at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
Source: This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products
Showing posts with label adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adult. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Teens Would Take Parents to Prom to Get Rid of Acne
PALM COAST, Fla., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's image-obsessed society where millions of photos are uploaded daily through digital networks such as Facebook and Flickr, how much of an impact can a common skin condition like acne have on the life of teens? Based on first impressions, teens with acne are perceived to have different personality and social traits than if they had clear skin, according to results of a new online perception survey sponsored by the American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS), and co-authored by Dr. Eva Ritvo, psychiatrist and co-author of The Beauty Prescription.(1) The survey asked thousands of teens and adults to offer their impressions of a group of teens based solely on photos of their faces - with clear skin or digitally enhanced to simulate acne. The results, which are being released to mark the first-ever National Acne Awareness Month, also expose the significant lengths that teens with acne would go to if it meant they could get rid of their acne forever.(1a)
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
Seeing is Believing
According to the survey, teens with acne are more likely than teens without acne to be perceived by their peers as shy (39% vs. 27%), nerdy (31% vs. 17%) and lonely (23% vs. 13%).(1b) Teens with acne are also less likely than their clear-skinned counterparts to be seen as leaders (29% vs. 49%) rather than followers.(1c) In contrast, teens with clear skin are more commonly perceived as self-confident (42% vs. 25%), happy (50% vs. 35%), fun (40% vs. 28%) and intelligent (44% vs. 38%), compared to teens with acne.(1d)
The survey also found that teens aren't the only ones that form a first impression based on acne. According to the survey, American adults believe that more than half (56%) of teens with acne are likely to be bullied, compared to 29 percent of teens without acne.(1e) When it comes to dating, adults assumed that on an average weekend, teens with acne are more likely to stay at home with their parents than go out on a date, compared to teens with clear skin (58% vs. 36%).(1f)
What Teens Would Do for Clear Skin
When asked about their own acne, American teens admit the lengths they would go to if they could get rid of the condition forever, such as staying off of Facebook for one year (59%), not going on a date for one year (30%), taking their mom or dad as their date to prom (13%) and having their grade-point average drop (11%).(1g)
"The eye-opening results of this survey demonstrate that acne plays a key role in how society forms a first impression of teens based on appearance alone. The stigma of acne should not be overlooked -- parents can help diminish its emotional and social impact on teens by talking to the doctor about treatment," said Dr. James Del Rosso, President, American Acne & Rosacea Society. "The goal of National Acne Awareness Month is to educate parents and teens that acne is a medical condition. By treating the root cause with prescription medication, teens can achieve clearer skin and take more control of those important first impressions."
"Now more than ever, it's important that parents take the time to monitor and help improve their teen's self-esteem, as confidence plays a major role in their ability to successfully navigate these turbulent adolescent years. For teens, how others view them on the outside hugely impacts how they feel about themselves on the inside," said author Dr. Eva Ritvo, who also serves as Vice Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "While there are multiple factors that can affect a teen's confidence, thankfully acne is one thing that mom and dad can easily do something about."
Acne Awareness Month Educational Resources
The AARS has declared June the inaugural National Acne Awareness Month to help teenagers and their parents understand that acne is a medical condition that can be treated with help from a physician. Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit www.acnesociety.org for more information on the causes of acne and how it can be treated.
About Acne
Acne vulgaris is one of the most widely experienced chronic skin diseases. In recent years, research has lead to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease.(2) The disorder begins with the onset of puberty and is thought to result from hormonal action on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) leading to plugged pores and outbreaks.(3) It can be challenging to manage due to the variability in response to treatment and the need for long-term therapy.(4)
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
About American Acne & Rosacea Society
The American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS), founded in 2005, provides a forum for the exchange of information about acne and rosacea, as well as the promotion of research into these two skin diseases. Its mission is to address the need to bring clarity to the millions of Americans who are suffering from acne and/or rosacea and who are not receiving adequate treatment.
For more information visit, www.acnesociety.org. This educational initiative was supported by Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
About the Survey
Kelton Research conducted two separate national online surveys, one with a sample of 1,002 nationally representative adults age 18+ and one with a sample of N=1,006 teens age 13-17. Both groups took the survey which was fielded between April 10th and April 24th, 2009. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of each audience.
As part of the survey, each respondent answered questions about several pictures of people with or without acne. The total amount of visual stimuli used in the survey consisted of 12 pictures - based on a 2 x 3 x 2 exposure model (gender x race x acne/clear). Each respondent reacted to 3 randomly selected pictures, with the only condition being that it was a combination of either (a) 1 clear and 2 acne pictures or (b) 2 clear and one acne picture.
This design allowed the respondents to focus in-depth on specific stimuli and kept the survey at a reasonable length. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. The overall margin of error for each group in this study (teens and adults) is +/-3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins for subgroups are slightly higher.
(1) American Acne & Rosacea Society/Dr. Eva Ritvo Teen Perception Study, Conducted by Kelton Research, 2009.
(2) Gollnick H, Cunliffe WJ, Berson D et al. Management of Acne: A Report From a Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003; 49(1):S1-S37.
(3) Why Do I Get Acne? Nemours Foundation. http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/acne.html.
(4) Thiboutot D, Pariser DM, Egan N et al. Adapalene gel 0.3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006; 54:242-50.
SOURCE American Acne & Rosacea Society
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
Seeing is Believing
According to the survey, teens with acne are more likely than teens without acne to be perceived by their peers as shy (39% vs. 27%), nerdy (31% vs. 17%) and lonely (23% vs. 13%).(1b) Teens with acne are also less likely than their clear-skinned counterparts to be seen as leaders (29% vs. 49%) rather than followers.(1c) In contrast, teens with clear skin are more commonly perceived as self-confident (42% vs. 25%), happy (50% vs. 35%), fun (40% vs. 28%) and intelligent (44% vs. 38%), compared to teens with acne.(1d)
The survey also found that teens aren't the only ones that form a first impression based on acne. According to the survey, American adults believe that more than half (56%) of teens with acne are likely to be bullied, compared to 29 percent of teens without acne.(1e) When it comes to dating, adults assumed that on an average weekend, teens with acne are more likely to stay at home with their parents than go out on a date, compared to teens with clear skin (58% vs. 36%).(1f)
What Teens Would Do for Clear Skin
When asked about their own acne, American teens admit the lengths they would go to if they could get rid of the condition forever, such as staying off of Facebook for one year (59%), not going on a date for one year (30%), taking their mom or dad as their date to prom (13%) and having their grade-point average drop (11%).(1g)
"The eye-opening results of this survey demonstrate that acne plays a key role in how society forms a first impression of teens based on appearance alone. The stigma of acne should not be overlooked -- parents can help diminish its emotional and social impact on teens by talking to the doctor about treatment," said Dr. James Del Rosso, President, American Acne & Rosacea Society. "The goal of National Acne Awareness Month is to educate parents and teens that acne is a medical condition. By treating the root cause with prescription medication, teens can achieve clearer skin and take more control of those important first impressions."
"Now more than ever, it's important that parents take the time to monitor and help improve their teen's self-esteem, as confidence plays a major role in their ability to successfully navigate these turbulent adolescent years. For teens, how others view them on the outside hugely impacts how they feel about themselves on the inside," said author Dr. Eva Ritvo, who also serves as Vice Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "While there are multiple factors that can affect a teen's confidence, thankfully acne is one thing that mom and dad can easily do something about."
Acne Awareness Month Educational Resources
The AARS has declared June the inaugural National Acne Awareness Month to help teenagers and their parents understand that acne is a medical condition that can be treated with help from a physician. Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit www.acnesociety.org for more information on the causes of acne and how it can be treated.
About Acne
Acne vulgaris is one of the most widely experienced chronic skin diseases. In recent years, research has lead to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease.(2) The disorder begins with the onset of puberty and is thought to result from hormonal action on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) leading to plugged pores and outbreaks.(3) It can be challenging to manage due to the variability in response to treatment and the need for long-term therapy.(4)
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
About American Acne & Rosacea Society
The American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS), founded in 2005, provides a forum for the exchange of information about acne and rosacea, as well as the promotion of research into these two skin diseases. Its mission is to address the need to bring clarity to the millions of Americans who are suffering from acne and/or rosacea and who are not receiving adequate treatment.
For more information visit, www.acnesociety.org. This educational initiative was supported by Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
About the Survey
Kelton Research conducted two separate national online surveys, one with a sample of 1,002 nationally representative adults age 18+ and one with a sample of N=1,006 teens age 13-17. Both groups took the survey which was fielded between April 10th and April 24th, 2009. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of each audience.
As part of the survey, each respondent answered questions about several pictures of people with or without acne. The total amount of visual stimuli used in the survey consisted of 12 pictures - based on a 2 x 3 x 2 exposure model (gender x race x acne/clear). Each respondent reacted to 3 randomly selected pictures, with the only condition being that it was a combination of either (a) 1 clear and 2 acne pictures or (b) 2 clear and one acne picture.
This design allowed the respondents to focus in-depth on specific stimuli and kept the survey at a reasonable length. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. The overall margin of error for each group in this study (teens and adults) is +/-3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins for subgroups are slightly higher.
(1) American Acne & Rosacea Society/Dr. Eva Ritvo Teen Perception Study, Conducted by Kelton Research, 2009.
(2) Gollnick H, Cunliffe WJ, Berson D et al. Management of Acne: A Report From a Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003; 49(1):S1-S37.
(3) Why Do I Get Acne? Nemours Foundation. http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/acne.html.
(4) Thiboutot D, Pariser DM, Egan N et al. Adapalene gel 0.3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006; 54:242-50.
SOURCE American Acne & Rosacea Society
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