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Whiteheads – What are they?
Whiteheads are a kind of acne. These are called whiteheads because these pimples have a white center. They belong to the class of comedones, the class to which blackheads also belong. But there are several differences between whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads are formed when a hair follicle is obstructed by sebum, an oily layer that coats the skin. Due to this the dead skin cells remain within this area and cannot be expelled. This is what causes a whitehead. These are closed comedones because they cannot exchange any of their material with the surrounding environment. Blackheads, on the other hand, are called as open comedones because they allow chemical changes to happen in the material they encapsulate, which is the reason they appear black. Apart from the color, there’s also a difference in the size – blackheads are larger than whiteheads.
Whiteheads – Common Symptoms
As their name suggests, whiteheads appear white. However, the whiteness may not be absolute. Some of them might be of the same color as that of the skin.
They contain secretions of the skin, known as sebum, and dead skin cells. Some of them may also contain bacteria – these will typically progress into more severe forms of acne. Whiteheads are not quite large; they appear as mild bumps on the skin.
Whiteheads – Causes
Whiteheads are causes when dead cells are trapped in the hair follicles because the oily secretion called sebum does not allow them to be expelled into the environment. However, it is important to know why this plugging occurs in the first place. The main reason is lack of hygiene. The pores of the skin can get clogged often, because of sebum. Continually washing the skin so that the sebum is removed is one of the ways in which whiteheads can be prevented. In some people, factors such as exposure to the sun, outside dirt and such other factors can also cause whiteheads to happen.
There are various factors actually why whiteheads or any other kind of acne happens. Lack of hygiene is one factor, but impurities within the blood and genetic factors can also be responsible for it.
Whiteheads – Risk Factors
There is a long list of vulnerable people for whiteheads, blackheads and other forms of acne. These include:-
- People in their teenage years,
- Women who are undergoing important hormonal changes in their life, such as women who are undergoing their periods or pregnancy and
- People using cortisone as a part of some medical treatment.
Even people who have had a prevalence of whiteheads in their family are prone to developing the condition themselves.
Whiteheads – Treatment
Prevention is better than cure any day. It is best to keep the skin away from any kind of oily substances. Make sure that the cosmetics you use for the face are not oil-based. If your skin is excessively oily, use a soap that can reduce the oil. Keep washing your face with an appropriate soap bar two to three times a day, and always wash your face when you have returned from the outside.
Have a balanced diet to correct blood deficiencies. Stay away from tensions and worries; even these can aggravate or bring about the condition. Do not allow sharp and hard objects to constantly rub across the face. This includes collars, helmets, cell phones and even shaving razors.
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