A higher risk of prostate cancer may be linked to severe acne.
New research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore finds men who took tetracycline -- an antibiotic used to treat severe acne -- for four years or longer were 70 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer over a 10-year period than men who had taken the drug, or had taken it for a shorter time.
But the study’s authors urge caution in interpreting their findings. They note the small number of participants who had used tetracycline for at least four years -- 0.5-percent of the 34,629 men in the study -- the indirect assessment of severe acne, and the fact that acne can have several causes.
The research looked at the link between severe acne and prostate cancer because recent studies found the acne-related bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in one third of prostate samples taken from men with prostate cancer. The tissue containing P. acnes was more likely to be inflamed. Inflammation is believed to be an important part of the development of prostate cancer.
Researchers say it is unlikely tetracycline itself would raise the risk of prostate cancer. They believe one possible explanation for the acne-prostate cancer link is that men who develop severe acne may be more likely to have stronger inflammatory immune responses when P. acnes goes into the prostate.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Causes of acne
The cause of acne is really not known. The process by which a pimple develops is highly intricate. While we do know that a pore collapses on itself and blocks sebum (oil) from escaping, we do not fully understand why this process takes place in one sebaceous gland versus another.
Adult acne and teen acne may be caused by hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. Probably all or some of these factors are involved.
Adult acne and teen acne may be caused by hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. Probably all or some of these factors are involved.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects the hair follicles and the sebaceous glands in the skin, which secrete an oily substance called sebum. Acne commonly on occurs on the face, arms, back and chest.
The onset of acne is usually around puberty, but in a minority of cases it may also start in adulthood. About 80% of teenagers will have some degree of acne between the ages of 13 and 18 years.
In puberty, acne occurs because of changes to hormone levels, which cause the sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum. Together with dead skin cells, the sebum blocks the hair follicles, which enables the formation of spots ranging from blackheads to painful red nodules.
As with the other physical changes that happen during puberty, acne usually corrects itself over time. It most cases it should get better without treatment. However, in some people this may take many years and can potentially cause permanent scarring, so a variety of treatments are available.
The onset of acne is usually around puberty, but in a minority of cases it may also start in adulthood. About 80% of teenagers will have some degree of acne between the ages of 13 and 18 years.
In puberty, acne occurs because of changes to hormone levels, which cause the sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum. Together with dead skin cells, the sebum blocks the hair follicles, which enables the formation of spots ranging from blackheads to painful red nodules.
As with the other physical changes that happen during puberty, acne usually corrects itself over time. It most cases it should get better without treatment. However, in some people this may take many years and can potentially cause permanent scarring, so a variety of treatments are available.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Stress can trigger flare-up of acne
THE CLAIM: Chronically bad skin or the occasional nasty breakout can
be a major source of stress. That much is known. But what about the
reverse? Although scientists have suspected for some time that
emotional stress can cause or worsen acne, the evidence for the
claim has mostly been weak, stemming largely from anecdotal reports
and a few small studies.
THE FACTS: But now the answer appears fairly clear. A new study, the
largest on the subject to date, was able not only to confirm the
relationship, but also to provide a possible
explanation.
The study, conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University,
followed 94 high school students with mild or moderate acne for
several months. Acne is generally associated with high levels of
sebum, the oily substance that coats the skin and protects the hair.
Because sebum levels are known to wax and wane with variations in
weather, the study was conducted where the temperature and humidity
rarely change, Singapore.
Using a standard measure of stress, the researchers showed that in
periods of high emotional strain, like before major exams, the
students were 23 percent more likely to experience breakouts. At the
same time, their sebum production did not vary much whether they
were experiencing high or low stress, indicating that levels of the
substance had little or no role. Instead, the results may have more
to do with inflammation. Other studies have shown that stress can
provoke inflammation, and acne is an inflammatory disease.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Research suggests that stress can in fact lead to
bad skin.
be a major source of stress. That much is known. But what about the
reverse? Although scientists have suspected for some time that
emotional stress can cause or worsen acne, the evidence for the
claim has mostly been weak, stemming largely from anecdotal reports
and a few small studies.
THE FACTS: But now the answer appears fairly clear. A new study, the
largest on the subject to date, was able not only to confirm the
relationship, but also to provide a possible
explanation.
The study, conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University,
followed 94 high school students with mild or moderate acne for
several months. Acne is generally associated with high levels of
sebum, the oily substance that coats the skin and protects the hair.
Because sebum levels are known to wax and wane with variations in
weather, the study was conducted where the temperature and humidity
rarely change, Singapore.
Using a standard measure of stress, the researchers showed that in
periods of high emotional strain, like before major exams, the
students were 23 percent more likely to experience breakouts. At the
same time, their sebum production did not vary much whether they
were experiencing high or low stress, indicating that levels of the
substance had little or no role. Instead, the results may have more
to do with inflammation. Other studies have shown that stress can
provoke inflammation, and acne is an inflammatory disease.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Research suggests that stress can in fact lead to
bad skin.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Acne & Its Treatment
Acne is one of the most common problem in males and females. Acne
affects up to 85% of people ages 12-25. Even adults in their thirties
and forties can develop acne. Acne affects directly on ones
personality and one feels uncomfortable. While acne will disappear
after several years. But there is acne that goes untreated can cause
deep pitting and leave unsightly permanent scars. Acne develops when
the sebaceous glands in the skin overproduce an oily substance
possibly due to hormonal changes that peak during the teen years.
Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles all over the body, but
they are especially plentiful and active on the face, neck and upper
body, where acne strikes.
Normally the sebum flows from the sebaceous glands, up through the
hair follicle and out of a pore on the skin's surface. When too much
sebum is produced, it blocks the openings of the glands, where sebum
and dead skin cells accumulate, forming a plug called a comedo. If the
comedo stays below the surface of the skin, it is light in color and
called a whitehead. If it enlarges and pops out the tip looks dark and
it is called a blackhead. However, this is not dirt and will not wash
off. The darkness is caused by an accumulation of melanin, the dark
pigment in the skin. In addition, the mixture of oil and dead cells
help bacteria in the follicles to grow. Bacteria thrive on the oil,
growing readily beneath the skin and leading to infection. This
produces redness and pus formation or in more serious cases the
infection spreads into deeper skin layers and causes cysts.
affects up to 85% of people ages 12-25. Even adults in their thirties
and forties can develop acne. Acne affects directly on ones
personality and one feels uncomfortable. While acne will disappear
after several years. But there is acne that goes untreated can cause
deep pitting and leave unsightly permanent scars. Acne develops when
the sebaceous glands in the skin overproduce an oily substance
possibly due to hormonal changes that peak during the teen years.
Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles all over the body, but
they are especially plentiful and active on the face, neck and upper
body, where acne strikes.
Normally the sebum flows from the sebaceous glands, up through the
hair follicle and out of a pore on the skin's surface. When too much
sebum is produced, it blocks the openings of the glands, where sebum
and dead skin cells accumulate, forming a plug called a comedo. If the
comedo stays below the surface of the skin, it is light in color and
called a whitehead. If it enlarges and pops out the tip looks dark and
it is called a blackhead. However, this is not dirt and will not wash
off. The darkness is caused by an accumulation of melanin, the dark
pigment in the skin. In addition, the mixture of oil and dead cells
help bacteria in the follicles to grow. Bacteria thrive on the oil,
growing readily beneath the skin and leading to infection. This
produces redness and pus formation or in more serious cases the
infection spreads into deeper skin layers and causes cysts.
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