Acne affects nearly everyone
By Tim Gallagher, Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, August 21, 2008
Dr. Michael Jung, director of clinical services at Family Practice Center in Sioux City, a Division of the Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Inc., checks his computer for information about acne. It is said acne affects more than 17 million Americans annually. (Photo by Tim Gallagher)
SIOUX CITY -- What percentage of young adults or adults have acne at some point in their life?
Answer: 90 percent, if not more.
According to Dr. Michael Jung of Family Practice Center in Sioux City, it is the most common skin disorder primary care physicians see.
Jung refers to "Approach to Acne Vulgaris" by Dr. Fern A. Wirth of UpToDate (www.uptodate.com) in instructing parents and medical students about the disorder that, in reality, is very normal, having affected more than 17 million Americans annually, accounting for 10 percent of all patient encounters with primary care physicians.
"Our treatment is geared toward eliminating some of the four main factors," said Jung as he listed the following:
* Skin soughing off (hyperkeratosis)
* The prevalence of blackheads (increased sebum production)
* Acne within the follicle
* Inflammation
Doctors often prescribe medication for youths ages 12-13 who have comedones, which is an initial step of acne.
"Anytime there is not a normal flow of oil, it gets infected," said Jung, drawing a hair follicle on with his pen on a white sheet of paper. "It begins as an innocent plugging of the follicle."
Many treatments are obtained over the counter. Some of the best medicine, however, is right at home, literally under one's nose.
"Just do your best to keep your skin clean," said Jung, the director of clinical services who worked on this day overseeing medical school residents who visited patients at Family Practice Center, a Division of the Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Inc.
Jung recommends using your hands to wash your face with warm, soapy water. A washcloth can retain bacteria or transfer germs. Unscented Dove or Neutrogena have worked well under conditions he's tested.
"If your skin is really oily, you could use Clearasil," he said, mentioning another over-the-counter treatment.
"We recommend a gentle washing in the morning and at night, and after activities," he said. "Then you let the skin dry before applying medication."
Through the years myths have connected diet and stress to acne. Jung buys one, not the other.
"There is an association between stress and hormone levels," he said, then shared an example of pressure building toward semester exams. That stress could trigger hormones, which then might result in the prevalence of additional signs of acne.
"We also see more acne in adult women than men," he said.
"Boys have more than girls at a younger age as boys produce more testosterone," he added.
Jung won't concede that diet has a profound effect. "Yes, you want a healthy diet," he said. "But just because you eat a candy bar, doesn't mean you will break out."
Answer: 90 percent, if not more.
According to Dr. Michael Jung of Family Practice Center in Sioux City, it is the most common skin disorder primary care physicians see.
Jung refers to "Approach to Acne Vulgaris" by Dr. Fern A. Wirth of UpToDate (www.uptodate.com) in instructing parents and medical students about the disorder that, in reality, is very normal, having affected more than 17 million Americans annually, accounting for 10 percent of all patient encounters with primary care physicians.
"Our treatment is geared toward eliminating some of the four main factors," said Jung as he listed the following:
* Skin soughing off (hyperkeratosis)
* The prevalence of blackheads (increased sebum production)
* Acne within the follicle
* Inflammation
Doctors often prescribe medication for youths ages 12-13 who have comedones, which is an initial step of acne.
"Anytime there is not a normal flow of oil, it gets infected," said Jung, drawing a hair follicle on with his pen on a white sheet of paper. "It begins as an innocent plugging of the follicle."
Many treatments are obtained over the counter. Some of the best medicine, however, is right at home, literally under one's nose.
"Just do your best to keep your skin clean," said Jung, the director of clinical services who worked on this day overseeing medical school residents who visited patients at Family Practice Center, a Division of the Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Inc.
Jung recommends using your hands to wash your face with warm, soapy water. A washcloth can retain bacteria or transfer germs. Unscented Dove or Neutrogena have worked well under conditions he's tested.
"If your skin is really oily, you could use Clearasil," he said, mentioning another over-the-counter treatment.
"We recommend a gentle washing in the morning and at night, and after activities," he said. "Then you let the skin dry before applying medication."
Through the years myths have connected diet and stress to acne. Jung buys one, not the other.
"There is an association between stress and hormone levels," he said, then shared an example of pressure building toward semester exams. That stress could trigger hormones, which then might result in the prevalence of additional signs of acne.
"We also see more acne in adult women than men," he said.
"Boys have more than girls at a younger age as boys produce more testosterone," he added.
Jung won't concede that diet has a profound effect. "Yes, you want a healthy diet," he said. "But just because you eat a candy bar, doesn't mean you will break out."
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