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Article: Acne vulgaris.(Women's Health Adviser)
- Article from:
- OB GYN News
- Article date:
- May 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Acne vulgaris is the most common dermatologic disease in the world, affecting 85% of people aged of 12-24 years. Normally associated with the teenage years, acne can persist into middle age, occurring in 8% of adults aged 25-34 and up to 3% of those aged 35-44.
Diagnosis
Acne is a multifactorial disease involving a combination of hyperkeratinization in the sebaceous follicles, excess sebum production, and overgrowth of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. The growth of bacteria in follicles that have been plugged by sebum sets up an inflammatory cascade that results in erythema and swelling. Pustules may heal without scarring, but the nodules and cysts ...