Acne is primarily caused by which process?

Acne is primarily caused by which process?

• A. Blocked sebaceous ducts that cause inflammation
• B. Bacterial infection of hair follicles
• C. Excessive sweating
• D. Dehydration of the skin

Answer: (A)

Acne is driven by blockage of the sebaceous (oil) ducts in the hair follicles. When the duct gets clogged by excess sebum and dead skin cells, a pore forms a comedone. This blockage creates an environment where bacteria can proliferate, and the immune system responds, producing inflammation that leads to the red, swollen lesions associated with acne. So the initiating event is the blocked duct with subsequent inflammatory response. Excess sweating or skin dehydration don’t create this persistent pore clog, and while bacteria participate in the inflammation inside the blocked follicle, acne isn’t simply a bacterial infection of hair follicles.

Acne is driven by blockage of the sebaceous (oil) ducts in the hair follicles. When the duct gets clogged by excess sebum and dead skin cells, a pore forms a comedone. This blockage creates an environment where bacteria can proliferate, and the immune system responds, producing inflammation that leads to the red, swollen lesions associated with acne. So the initiating event is the blocked duct with subsequent inflammatory response. Excess sweating or skin dehydration don’t create this persistent pore clog, and while bacteria participate in the inflammation inside the blocked follicle, acne isn’t simply a bacterial infection of hair follicles.