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AcneNet This Month
March 1999
Tip of the Month
A condition known as "primary irritant
dermatitis" sometimes develops on the skin after long-term or excessive use of a
topical acne treatment. The skin reddens and becomes rough and scaly. The condition may be
especially prominent around the eyes, or on the neck.
Because primary irritant dermatitis is most likely to develop after
excessive use of a topical treatment, the condition is likely to improve if the amount or
frequency of application is reduced. Hard "scrubbing" of the skin can also cause
irritation; the facial skin should always be washed gently. A noncomedogenic moisturizing cream may relieve
redness and scaling.
If the problem persists you should consult a dermatologist. A more potent
treatment for the condition may be needed, or patch testing may be ordered to determine
whether have an allergy to the topical medication.
Fact of the Month
Acne is a condition that may go without effective treatment because a
person is too shy or too ashamed to seek help. AcneNet can report that quite a number of
people have told this us on our Tell us about yourself
questionnaire.
While no one should be ashamed about having acne, myths about the causes
of acne can have a powerful effect - for instance, a mistaken belief that acne is an
indication of uncleanliness, or of poor personal habits, can make a person literally hide
from contact with other people.
The reddened skin, comedones,
and pustules of acne can also make a shy person
even more nervous about being with other people. One respondent to our questionnaire
stated that because she sure "no one looked at me, they only looked at my acne",
she avoided friendships and even hesitated about consulting a dermatologist.
The fact is, acne can be treated effectively, but only if the person with
acne seeks treatment. To find a dermatologist in your area, return to Table of Contents
and click on Find a Dermatologist.
A dermatologist can start treatment of your acne, as well as help you overcome acne’s
negative effects on your emotional and social life.
Question of the Month
Each month we pose a question that is answered the following month. This
month’s question:
Why does acne clear up on the faces of some women while they are taking
birth-control medication?
We’ll have the answer, and a discussion of the answer, on AcneNet
next month.
Answer to Last
Month’s Question of the Month
Last month’s question was:
What is benzoyl peroxide, and why is
it used in so many topical medications for acne?
Answer:
Benzoyl peroxide
is a topical medication with proven effectiveness in treating and preventing acne.
Benzoyl peroxide was one of the first topical medications proven effective
in the treatment of acne. It has been in use for more than 30 years, as an ingredient in
lotions, creams, and gels applied to the skin.
Benzoyl peroxide works in several ways:
Probably most importantly, it is an anti-bacterial that is especially
effective against Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria most often associated with
inflammation in acne;
It is believed to reduce the skin’s production of sebum, the fatty substance that helps to clog sebaceous follicles and form comedones when produced in excess;
and
It has a mild effect in removing dead cells from the skin, thus helping
to clear sebaceous follicles and prevent comedone formation.
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