- Roughly 80 percent of teenagers are affected by acne, while about five percent of women and one percent of men aged between 25 and 40 continue to be affected by the condition. Acne develops the same way in all different kinds of skin colors, and is caused by overactivity of sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin. Those who suffer from acne have glands that are very sensitive to normal blood levels of testosterone, which occurs naturally in both men and women. Testosterone triggers the glands to produce excess sebum, while dead skin cells at clog up skin's pores, causing a build up that causes blackheads, whiteheads and eventually pimples to form.
- Topical steroids were first introduced in the late 1950s as an anti-inflammatory treatment for eczema and dermatitis, among other skin conditions. They can be divided into groups depending on its strength, although it is advised to only use the weakest possible steroid that will accomplish treatment. However, sometimes a stronger treatment is needed for a short time to make sure the skin conditions is properly cleared up before a milder treatment is used.
- Steroid creams can treat inflammatory acne quickly as it is easily absorbed into the skin cells. However, it is important to follow a doctor's prescription exactly to avoid exacerbating the problem. Used properly, steroid creams can clear up acne problems quicker than other available nonsteroid medications. The quick effects of steroid cream also help patients avoid possible permanent scarring.
- The adverse internal side effects of topical steroids include adrenal gland suppression, which can hinder the production of naturals steroids that are important to the body. Suppression of these natural steroids could result in illness. Steroid creams can also cause Cushing's syndrome, which is when large of amounts of steroid are absorbed through the skin, resulting in fluid retention, raised blood pressure, and diabetes. External side affects of topical steroids include skin thinning and stretch marks, easy bruising and tearing of the skin, rashes, enlarged blood vessels, and susceptibility to skin infections.
- For those who are wary of using steroid creams, the are other ways to treat acne. The affected area must be kept clean, so it should be washed at least twice a day with an unperfumed cleanser. However, the skin also needs a certain amount of natural oils, so it is important to use gentle soaps. Pharmacies usually offer several over-the-counter topical medications that contain antibacterial agents to treat acne, such as benzoyl peroxide. However, users should be careful as benzoyl peroxide can severely dry out the skin, causing redness and peeling.
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