Acne and Abscess in Tweens; Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Posted on 1 July, 2022 by romanalan

Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin and a buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which leads to inflammation (swelling and redness) in the pores. Oil glands get stimulated when hormones become active during puberty. That’s why people are likely to get acne in their teens despite using the best teenage skin care products Australia has. Because the tendency to develop acne is partly genetic, if other people in your family had (or have) acne, you may be more likely to have it too.

Can I Prevent Acne?

There's no sure way to prevent acne. But these tips along with using some of the best teenage skin care products Australia has might help reduce the number and severity of your breakouts:

• Washing your skin is the most important thing you can do. It helps remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells that can clog your pores. But washing too much can cause damage by making your skin too dry or irritating acne that’s already there.

• Remember to wash after exercising because sweat can clog your pores and make your acne worse. If you work around greasy food or oil if you've been sweating from heat or from working hard, wash your face and other acne-prone areas as soon as possible.

• If you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic, which means that they don't clog pores.

• If you use hair spray or styling gel, try to keep them away from your face as much as possible. Many hair products contain oils that can make acne worse. This problem even persists with some of the best teenage skin care products Australia has on the market. Try to use water-based products.

• If you get acne on areas such as your chest or back, avoid wearing tight clothes, which can rub and cause irritation.

How Is Acne Treated?

Over-the-counter (OTC) products work to help clear up acne for some teens. It may take time to find one that works best for you — some may not help and others may irritate your skin. OTC acne products come in different strengths. The most popular and effective OTC acne-fighting ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. Another ingredient, salicylic acid, can help dry up pimples.

If OTC products don't work for you, get a doctor's advice. Doctors can prescribe special gels or creams, pills, or a combination of both. It may feel a bit awkward to talk about your acne with someone, but your doctor is trained to help get your skin looking its best. It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple usually won't get rid of the problem. Squeezing can actually push infected material and pus deeper into the skin, which can lead to more swelling and redness and even scarring, which can be permanent.

If you're taking a prescription acne medicine, finish your entire prescription even if your skin clears up, unless your doctor says it’s OK to stop. If you stop too early, there's a chance your skin could break out all over again. Eating nutritious foods can help keep you healthy and your skin will benefit from getting enough vitamins and minerals. But you don't need to obsess about what you eat or how often you wash your face to control acne. If no OTC product works for you, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist about how to manage acne.

What Is an Abscess?

An abscess is the body's way of trying to heal from an infection. Abscesses form after bacteria, fungi, or other germs enter the body — usually through an open wound like a cut — and cause an infection. An abscess might appear on the skin, under the skin, in a tooth, or even deep inside the body. On top of the skin, an abscess may look like an unhealed wound or a pimple. Underneath the skin, it may create a swollen bump. A skin abscess might hurt and feel warm when you touch it.

It's easier to tell if you have a skin abscess because you can see and touch it. But when someone gets an abscess in another part of the body, there will still be clues that something is wrong. With a tooth abscess, for example, people will feel pain even though they can't see the abscess.

What Causes an Abscess?

Abscesses can form wherever the body is fighting off an infection. For example, a skin abscess can appear when germs get into the body through an opening in the skin (like a cut, insect sting, or burn). Most germs don't belong in a healthy body and the immune system knows it: It's the immune system's job to be on the lookout for infection. After figuring out that something is wrong, it sends in the troops (otherwise known as white blood cells) to destroy whatever's causing the infection. Some of these white blood cells will end up in pus, which also includes stuff like dead skin and dead germs. The body considers pus garbage and will try to get rid of it. But when pus collects in an abscess, it may not be able to drain out. As pus builds up, it can press against the skin and surrounding inflamed tissue, causing pain. Some abscesses are caused by an irritant like an injected medication that was not completely absorbed. Since they're not caused by infection, these kinds of abscesses are called "sterile" abscesses. Sterile abscesses aren't as common as infected abscesses, but they can happen on occasion.

How Are Abscesses Treated?

Most abscesses can be managed at home. If you think you have a skin abscess, avoid touching, pushing, popping, or squeezing it. Doing that can spread the infection or push it deeper inside the body, making things worse.

Try using a warm compress to see if that opens up the abscess so it can drain. You can make a compress by wetting a washcloth with warm — not hot — water and placing it over the abscess for several minutes. Do this a few times a day, and wash your hands well before and after applying the washcloth. If the abscess opens on its own and drains, and the infection seems to clear up in a couple of days, your body should heal on its own. If it doesn't, it's time to call your doctor's office. If you have tooth pain and you suspect there may be an infection, call your dentist.

When Should I Call a Doctor?

Sometimes, an abscess needs a doctor's care. If you notice any of these problems, call your doctor:

• A skin abscess becomes more painful, swollen, and red.

• Red streaks develop around the infected area of the skin.

• You have pain or discomfort inside your body.

• You have a fever or chills.

If a doctor thinks you have an abscess, he or she will decide if it needs to be drained or if it can be treated another way, like with antibiotics.

If an abscess needs to be drained, the doctor will decide if it's best to pull out the pus using a needle (called aspiration) or to make a small cut in the abscess with a scalpel so the pus can drain out. For a skin abscess, the doctor will probably use numbing medications before draining an abscess so it's not too painful. After the doctor drains the abscess, he or she may pack it with gauze. The gauze will soak up drainage and help the abscess heal. An abscess that is deep inside the body might require surgery. This may mean staying in the hospital for a while so doctors and nurses can be sure the person heals properly.

How Can I Feel Better?

Your doctor will give you instructions about how to take care of an abscess so it heals properly. Your doctor also might tell you to avoid specific activities until the abscess heals. You may need to take antibiotics, and you (or your lucky mom or dad!) might have to change a bandage regularly. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take all the medicine until it's gone — even if you start feeling better. If you have a skin abscess, take steps so you don't spread the infection to anyone else. Don't share anything that's touched your abscess (like washcloths, towels, athletic equipment, or razors). Even after a visit to the doctor, you'll still need to keep an eye on the abscess. Let your doctor know right away if it gets worse or if you develop a fever or chills. If you have a skin abscess, your doctor might want to do tests to find out if you have something called MRSA, a kind of bacteria that can cause serious skin infections. MRSA infections need special treatment because they are resistant to many kinds of antibiotics.

Can Abscesses Be Prevented?

Good hygiene is the best way to avoid infection. Keep cuts and wounds clean, dry, and covered to protect them from germs. Also, don't share clothing, towels, razors, or bed linens with anyone else. When these items get dirty, wash them separately in very hot water. Wash your hands well and often use plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. It's OK to use alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers or wipes (the kind that you can pick up at a drugstore) if you're not near any soap and water.