At times, we get confused between acne and blemishes. The fact is, acne is just a type of blemish. The discolorations, marks, or any spot in our skin are blemishes, while examples of acne are pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. It is a skin condition that affects teens and all ages but usually common in teenagers. It occurs when our pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Both acne and blemishes are not severe skin conditions and not life-threatening. However, its unsightly appearance in our skin can be emotionally upsetting and significantly affect our confidence and self-esteem.
What Causes Acne And Blemishes?
Other studies claim that acne can be hereditary, but not in all cases. Other causes of acne formation are yet to be identified, but certain things can trigger it or worsen. These are;
- Hormonal changes such as; puberty, menstruation, pregnancy
- Infection caused by existing pimples
- Irritation caused by too much scrubbing of our skin
- High humidity
- Cosmetics, oil-based products, sunscreen, and hair products
- Medications like corticosteroids and anabolic steroids
- Dust and pressure from collars, hats, helmets
The old beliefs that acne is caused by eating greasy foods, chocolates, peanuts, stress, and lack of sleep are not true. Some people do not have acne even when they are stressed or eat a lot of greasy foods. As I have mentioned earlier, the cause is not determined until now. It is a broad term when it comes to blemishes, so classified into many types such as; acne, papules, nodules, age spots, pustules, ingrown hair, birthmarks, melasma, skin cancer, cyst, scars, cold sores, and hyperpigmentation. Some of the causes of blemishes are the following;
- The HSV-1 virus causes viruses – blemishes like cold sores.
- Infections – there are types of diseases that can cause blemishes like fungal acne.
- Some inherited disorders like Fabry disease, a small group of red spots, are caused by genetics.
- Sun exposure – too much sun causes skin discoloration and even skin cancer.
- Clogged pores – excessive production of oil mixed with dirt and bacteria or make-up and moisturizers can result in clogged pores.
- Diet – What you eat can affect your skin, especially if you have skin allergies. And also, to some people, dairy products can trigger the occurrence of acne.
- Medications – some OTC drugs can cause acne, as mentioned above.
Their color can determine the causes of the blemishes. For example, the marks that appear red are because of pimples, ingrown hair, pustules, and allergic reactions. Blemishes can appear red, black, brown, and white depending upon their cause. OTC medications can treat acne, but you can do self-care steps to prevent or even treat the existing acne. But if your acne is not responding to your home remedies, then it is the proper time to ask for a doctor’s advice. In blemishes, some types can be severe, so you must see your doctor for a check-up. Some marks can be signs of skin cancer.
Final Words
Knowing the causes of your acne and blemishes will help you decide what the proper treatment for it is. But while the condition is still treatable, personal hygiene and a good diet can help you prevent it from becoming worse and even eliminate it.
