About Body Acne

Function

Acne itself is caused by a blockage in the pores of the skin. This blockage occurs when the pores become filled with an excess of the skin's natural oil and an excess of dead skin. Facial acne is the most common type of acne, however if the facial acne becomes severe, it can spread to other parts of the body. Body acne is generally limited to the upper body, such as the neck, chest, back and upper arms. Body acne is not prejudiced when it comes to who it will affect; boys and girls, and men and women of all ages are affected. It is, however, more severe and common among men. While almost every sufferer of body acne is also afflicted by facial acne, it does not mean that sufferers of facial acne will develop body acne.

There are four main types of body acne. The first type is referred to as Grade One acne. Those who are afflicted with this type generally experience minimal blackheads and whiteheads, followed by a pimple here and there. Grade Two acne is a bit more serious. The afflicted will find a larger population of blackheads and whiteheads, with larger pimples becoming more prevalent. Grade Three acne is considered to be a moderate to severe level of acne, displaying larger areas of inflammation and redness on the skin. This grade should be evaluated by a skin specialist (dermatologist). Grade Four Acne is the most severe type of acne there is. At this level, cysts are common and are likely to spread to other areas of the body. If this is the grade you are suffering from, you must make an appointment with a dermatologist.

Scars from severe body acne, courtesy of the Academy of Dermatology
Any teen who suffers from body acne feels a tremendous dip in their level of self-esteem. However when body acne strikes an adult, it can be even more embarrassing, sometimes leading to depression. Many people who suffer from body acne will try to cover the affected area so others cannot see it. Men will not remove their shirts and women are less likely to wear a low cut shirt or tank top. They will participate less in sports and recreation due to the amount of discomfort that is experienced from their clothes rubbing against the afflicted area. Swimming is usually out of the question for them because they don't want to expose the areas of their body covered with the acne, and teens have a difficult time changing in their school locker rooms out of fear that they will be taunted by their peers. In addition, if proper care and treatment are not implemented, permanent scarring can occur, adding to their embarrassment.

Misconceptions about body acne have been passed down through generations. For instance, parents may remark to their teen that if they would just stop eating so much chocolate, they wouldn't suffer from acne. This is not true. While it is important to eat a balanced diet to help prevent acne, there are no certain types of foods that cause it either. Some people believe that the more frequently they wash their faces, the quicker the acne will go away. Not true. Washing an area of the body excessively that is afflicted with acne will only cause more irritation and inflammation. Some believe that if you suffer from body acne, you must have poor hygiene habits. Again, body acne is caused by a clogging of the pores through a build up of dead skin cells and the oil found naturally in the skin. Finally, some believe that acne is contagious. Body acne cannot be spread through the use of towels, pillows, blankets, etc. Body acne is no more contagious than a heart attack is.

The treatment of body acne will vary according to the severity of it. To prevent acne, you can cleanse your face daily with soap and water. This will help in removing dead skin cells before they have an opportunity to embed themselves in your pores. If you already suffer from body acne, it is recommended that a Salicylic Acid soap be used. It contains beta hydroxy, which is used not only for the inflammationof acne, but is also effective at removing dead skin cells. Products like Clearisil and Pro Active have benzoyl peroxide in them. Benzoyl peroxide works by increasing the amount of oxygen in the pores. Acne cannot survive when there is an abundance of oxygen in the pores they are attempting to attack. If the form of body acne is severe, a prescription will be needed for treatment by a dermatologist. Some of the more common prescriptions are for antibiotics, Retin-A and Accutane.

Always remember that it is never to early to treat an acne problem, no matter how trivial you may think it is. If acne is treated as soon as possible, there is a reduced risk for scarring. Also, if you have a pimple and think the best way to take care of it is by popping it, you're wrong. This will not only cause the acne to spread, but can also lead to scarring. Finally, if you have tried numerous over the counter medications without success, make an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as you can. The quicker you get it treated, the sooner you will live a life free of embarrassment.