1. SEBORRHEA
Sebaceous
glands may malfunction and overproduce sebum, a condition known as seborrhea.
Individuals with seborrhea have oily faces and greasy scalps and likely to
develop seborrheic dermatitis, a scaly and itchy inflammation of
the skin that produces dandruff
Hairs
full of dandruff
as well as rashes on the scalp, chest and back as
seen below.
Seborrhoea
dermatitis on the
Chest
Seborrhea may develop into acne, a condition commonly affecting
adolescents and young adults. In acne, bacteria break down sebum into fatty
acids.As the bacteria continue to work, fatty acids seep out, forming
whiteheads and other eruptions on the surface of the skin.
* HOW DO ACNE SCARS HAPPEN?
When a pore becomes blocked and acne bacteria begin to multiply in the
pore, your body tries to dislodge the blockage by attacking it like an
infection, which because of the bacteria it technically is.
The oil
gland continues to produce oil, the acne bacteria continues to multiply, and swelling
and pain follows. This is how the acne pimple or “pustule” forms in the first
place.
If
the blockage becomes too large, OR, you pick and press on the pimple, collagen
fibres in your skin that surrounds can be displaced and or damaged. When the
pore finally does heal, there can be a red mark left behind (due to damaged
capillaries around the pore much like a bruise) or a deeper indentation known
as a “pock mark”. We all have seen Individuals with these marks that are the
hallmark of chronic acne. I would like to point out here though, that just one
pimple can create a scar if not treated properly.
*
NOTE
Sometimes
sebum becomes clogged in the opening of a sebaceous gland and forms a
BLACKHEAD. Although blackheads look as if they result from dirt beneath the
skin, their color is actually produced by the combination of SEBUM and OXYGEN.
Another condition caused by the blockage of a sebaceous gland is the sebaceous
CYST, a large flesh-coloured lump beneath the surface of the skin. Although a
sebaceous cyst poses no threat to general health, it may be removed for
cosmetic reasons.
2. PUBERTY AS A FACTOR
Puberty, period in the human life span during which the organs of sexual
reproduction mature, it is also when the hormone changes in the body
environment and it also stimulates sebum. This maturation is evidenced in
females by the onset of MENSTRUATION, in males by the production of SEMEN,
and in both by the enlargement of the external genitalia. Rapid growth marks a
range of physiological changes. Various secondary sexual characteristics also
appear for the first time during puberty; in males, production of body hair
increases markedly, particularly in the public axillary and facial regions, and
the voice usually changes and becomes deeper in tone; in females, hair also
appears in the public and axillary regions, and the breasts become enlarged.
Accelerated development of the sweat glands in both sexes may trigger acne.
· NOTE:
Puberty usually occurs in males between the ages of 13 and 16, and in females
between the ages of 11 and 14.
*How can you prevent or cure acne?
This you will see in my next post soon. You can also become a member of my blog
and then give your comments and ask questions in order for me to respond. You
also get to receive direct mail to your e-mail address. Thank you.
