What are the causes of acne?

　　Acne There are many pathogenic factors, and its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Endocrine factors, the role of sebum, and microorganisms in hair follicles are the main factors in the onset of acne.

　　Acne is closely related to sexual endocrine. It rarely occurs before puberty. People who have lost or reduced sexual function, such as castrated eunuchs in ancient palaces, do not suffer from the disease. People with reduced sexual function, such as the use of testosterone, can promote the growth of beards and the occurrence of acne. They can be treated with corticotropin or corticosteroid hormones. disease often causes acne-like rashes, female Acne attacks often occur before menstruation. Reduction of acne symptoms during pregnancy, etc. Both men and women have androgens and estrogens. The organ that secretes sex hormones is in male They are testicles and adrenal glands; in women, they are ovaries, placenta and adrenal glands. Androgens and estrogens have different ratios in men and women, and changes in the ratio may cause acne to appear.

　　The development of sebaceous glands and sebum secretion are also related to the increase in male hormones. Among them, testosterone has the strongest effect in increasing the activity of sebaceous glands. Progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) in the adrenal cortex are also involved, and the latter may play an important role in early stage acne. Testosterone in skin It is converted into 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone with higher activity through the action of 5-alpha reductase, which stimulates sebaceous gland cell turnover and lipid synthesis, causing increased sebum secretion, producing thick and abundant sebum, which cannot be completely excreted and gradually accumulates in the hair follicle mouth. At the same time, the hair follicle ducts are also hyperkeratinized due to the action of androgens, and the hair follicles The thickening of the wall prevents the excretion of sebum. The epithelial cells shed on the wall of the hair follicle increase and mix with the thick sebum to form a cheese-like substance, which is stuck in the mouth of the hair follicle to form acne. Later, the top exposed to the outside of the mouth of the hair follicle gradually dries. After the oxidation of the air, the deposition of melanin, and the pollution of dust, it changes color to form blackheads. Corynebacterium acnes present in hair follicles, white Grape cocci and pityriasis ovale, especially Corynebacterium acnes, contain esterases that decompose sebum. The sebum in the hair follicles is decomposed by lipases to produce more free fatty acids. These free fatty acids can cause non-specific inflammatory reactions in and around the hair follicles. When the tiny ulcers and free fatty acids in the comedon wall enter the nearby dermis, and the blackheads squeeze the nearby cells, their antibacterial power is reduced and they are susceptible to bacterial infection and cause inflammation. As a result, the patient develops papules, pustules, hard nodules, nodules and abscesses.

　　In recent years, some people believe that this disease is related to immunity. In the humoral immunity of patients, serum IgG levels increase, and increase as the disease worsens. Corynebacterium acnes produces antibodies in patients, and circulating antibodies reach the local area and participate in the pathogenic process of early inflammation.

　　About the relationship between trace elements and acne. Recently, it has been proven that low zinc in acne patients may affect the utilization of vitamin A and promote keratinization of pilosebaceous glands. Low copper may weaken the body's resistance to bacterial infection. In short, patients with acne have low levels of trace elements zinc, copper, and iron. Increased manganese can affect fat metabolism and sex hormone secretion in the body. Coupled with low skin resistance, this may be related to the onset of acne.

　　In addition, heredity is also an important factor in the occurrence of this disease. In addition to the above factors, eating more animal fat and sugar foods may lead to indigestion or constipate Factors such as gastrointestinal disorders, mental stress, and hot and humid weather can have adverse effects on acne patients. Contact with mineral oils or oral administration of iodide, bromide, and certain other drugs can also aggravate the worsening of acne.