What is acne?

Sometimes the skin breaks out in unsightly lesions, pimples, redness, itchiness and swelling. These are the common symptoms of acne.  Acne does not cause permanent scarring although severe acne results in wounds that have pus in them and it can cause scarring.

Various factors that cause acne

Most people believe that acne is a result of poor dieting with the patients being blamed for taking food that is too fatty. All cases not true, even though excess fatty food can make acne worse. Acne is caused by the accumulation of the sebum that is secreted by the skin. When the skin pores the skin containing hair follicles are blocked by the sebum, they attract bacteria that are infectious. This causes the white heads which burst due to pressure, friction or itching hence allowing more bacteria to infect the skin. The presence of pus is due to the immune systems attempt to fight off the bacteria which also results in pain and redness.

Poor hygiene can also lead to acne if the patient is involved in dirty and dusty areas and conditions. Dead skin cells mix with sweat and the sebum and clog the pores leading to acne. Acne is most common in teens and pre puberty ages due to over active hormones. This is a result of the hormones making the sebaceous gland secrete too much sebum. The same case applies to pregnant women since they undergo many hormonal changes. Menstruation is also an underlying cause of acne due to the hormonal changes involved in the process. Androgens in men can enlarge the sebaceous gland that secretes too much sebum resulting in acne. The sebum accelerates the bacterial multiplication which results in a spreading rash of acne.

How can rubbing the acne with rubbing alcohol help?

Rubbing alcohol is a name given to Isopropyl alcohol. It is made from denatured alcohol hence resulting in more than 95 percent pure ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. It is a highly flammable and volatile liquid with a strong antiseptic smell. It should not be ingested since the liver oxidizes it hence forming acetone, which is poisonous to the body.

It works on acne since it dries out the affected parts and reduces the spreading. Rubbing alcohol also reduces the excess secretion of sebum that causes acne. Due to the strength of the rubbing alcohol, it is able to eliminate the harmful bacteria that infect the pores causing pus-filled breakouts. This makes it good for the cure of acne, as well as prevention of further spreading.

However, it is harsh on the skin; hence, should not be used on the entire face. Take a piece of cotton wool and use it to apply the rubbing alcohol on the acne pimples and the parts that are red. If your wounds are too open, then it is not advisable since it will result in more inflammation. Rubbing alcohol should be used in a well-ventilated area to avoid excessive inhalation of the fumes that it emits.