Increased work of the sebaceous glands provokes excessive secretion, unpleasant shine, and increased fat content of the epidermis.

Dust, dirt, dead skin particles accumulate in enlarged pores, causing acne, redness, and blackheads to appear.

What to do if the sebaceous glands on the face are inflamed? Treatment will be successful only with a combination of pharmaceutical drugs, home remedies, and salon procedures.

Factors that provoke excess sebum production:

• unhealthy diet with a predominance of carbohydrate and fatty foods, frequent inclusion in the menu of milk and white chocolate, smoked meats, sweets, products with dyes and flavors;
• endocrine diseases;
• hormonal disruptions during pregnancy, menopause, and puberty;
• frequent drinking of alcohol, smoking;
• hereditary predisposition to hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands;
• depressive states, chronic stress;
• improper or insufficient facial skin care.

Often, during an appointment, a cosmetologist identifies several reasons that negatively affect the condition of the facial skin. You need to listen to the advice of a specialist in order to prevent severe inflammation of the epidermis.

It is impossible to return the epidermis to a pleasant color, a healthy appearance, or to get rid of enlarged pores, blackheads, oily shine and inflamed areas while negative factors are in effect.

Salon treatments

If there is active sebum secretion, acne, redness, or irritation of the facial skin, you need to visit a cosmetologist.

Homemade masks and lotions moisturize well, cleanse problem areas, reduce inflammation, but are not able to completely eliminate the production of glands.

Pharmacy cosmetics provide a noticeable therapeutic effect, but in case of severe skin lesions, action on the deeper layers of the epidermis will be required. For this purpose, it is worth visiting a cosmetology clinic and taking a course of salon procedures.

After examination, identifying skin problems and the causes of the inflammatory process, the doctor selects the types of treatment on an individual basis. For maximum effect, it is necessary to simultaneously treat pathologies of internal organs, normalize hormonal levels, and adjust the diet. It is important to choose the optimal series of skin care formulations, otherwise the treatment result will not be sufficiently pronounced and will not last long.

Problems with the sebaceous glands are manifested by external defects, this is especially noticeable on the face. – you will learn how to eliminate cosmetic defects from this publication.

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Galvanization

During the session, the cosmetologist uses special types of low-power electric current.

The pulses are low voltage. During the treatment of the face with currents, the skin becomes looser, toxins and sebaceous secretions are more actively removed.

The technique gives good results in the complex treatment of excessive oily epidermis, acne, and skin aging.

Microdermabrasion

Mechanical, delicate facial peeling is a technique for removing dead skin particles that clog pores.

Important points:

• safe, painless and highly effective procedure;
• for crystalline microdermabrasion, small aluminum particles are used to cleanse the surface of the epidermis;
• with oxygen microdermabrasion, the facial skin is exposed not only to aluminum elements, but also to oxygen under high pressure;
• With the diamond type of dermabrasion, the cosmetologist uses special attachments made of durable material that delicately and actively remove the stratum corneum.

Laser resurfacing

A popular method for combating scars, scars, spots remaining on the skin after eliminating inflammation and large ulcers. Pulsating concentrated beams of light affect uneven areas of the epidermis, delicately, layer by layer, removing damaged tissue.

Laser facial resurfacing

Important points:

• after laser peeling, the treated areas heal, are restored, and a new, elastic, smooth layer appears;
• lightening of the upper layer of skin occurs less frequently;
• carbon laser exhibits few side effects; the epidermis and healthy tissues near problem areas experience virtually no negative effects.

Mesotherapy

An effective method of treating inflammation and other problems of the epidermis by introducing medicinal solutions and meso-cocktails directly into the affected area.

Thanks to a special gun with a very thin needle, the doctor treats the problem area. The drugs penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, accelerate regeneration processes, and reduce the degree of inflammation.

Facial mesotherapy

Acid peeling

During the procedure, the active components destroy horny particles, making dead cells easier to remove from the face. After using this method, it becomes easier for the sebaceous glands to secrete, clogged pores open, and the risk of blackheads and inflammation decreases. When healthy cells are damaged, the synthesis of valuable components is activated: elastin, hyaluronic acid, collagen.

Cosmetologists perform multi-acid and single-acid peeling. There are chemical and physical types of exposure for applying acids.

Acid peeling - before and after

Depending on the depth of penetration, doctors distinguish several types of acid peeling:

• median using trichloroacetic or retinoic acid;
• superficial - fruit, salicylic or glycolic acid;
• deep using phenol. Good effect for removing acne scars. The procedure is carried out in a hospital setting.

Disincrustation

The hardware technique is used to remove accumulations of sebaceous gland products and cleanse the face.

Galvanic cleansing is suitable for problem skin, sensitive and delicate epidermis.

First, the cosmetologist applies a special solution to the face for disincrustation, then applies galvanic currents.

During the process of iontophoresis, alkaline ions enter the deep layers of the epidermis, react with other substances - triglycerides, and new compounds - soaps - appear.

After the procedure, the pores open, dead skin particles are exfoliated, and it becomes possible for free outflow of sebaceous gland secretions.

Cosmetics

To care for oily skin with hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands, you can purchase formulations from well-known companies. The best option is to buy one series of several items. You should look for products to treat problem skin in pharmacies. Compositions based on phytoextracts and natural ingredients give a good effect.

To reduce the fat content of the epidermis and reduce inflammation, you need to use tonic, milk, day and night cream, moisturizing emulsion, thermal water. At the appointment, the cosmetologist will tell you what products you should definitely have at home, and what you can do without.

Products for the care of oily, inflamed skin from well-known brands received good reviews from doctors and representatives of the fair sex:

1. Noreva.
2. Bioderma.
3. Vichy.
4. Valmont.
5. Avene.
6. Uriage.
7. Klorane.
8. Garnier.
9. KORFF.

Popular domestic brands:

1. Clean line.
2. Natura Siberica.
3. Clearasil.
4. Green Mama.

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Traditional medicine recipes

You can reduce the production of sebaceous secretions at home using formulations with a natural base. Mixtures of vegetables, berries, honey, aloe juice, dairy products, yolk, and herbal decoctions refresh, tighten pores, and reduce inflammation.

Proven remedies for combating excess oil on the face:

• cucumber lotion: for 200 ml of alcohol - 3 tbsp. l. juice from cucumber pulp;
• face paste made from corn starch and boiled water. The mass should resemble thin sour cream;
• yolk mask. Express remedy against enlarged pores and sebaceous shine. Apply the mashed product (1 yolk) to the face, after a quarter of an hour, rinse with cool water;
• a mixture of apple cider vinegar (2 parts) and water (10 parts). Wipe your face morning and evening;
• herbal decoction with anti-inflammatory, astringent, soothing effect. Combine 1 tbsp in a bowl. l. chamomile, sage, calendula, pour in 500 ml boiling water, simmer for 2 minutes over low heat. Strain the cooled herbal remedy and use it for morning and evening facial cleansing. In case of severe inflammation, additionally wipe the skin during the day;
• mask of aloe pulp (2 tablespoons) and thin honey (1 tablespoon). Keep on your face for a third of an hour;
• almond mask for oily shine. Combine ground grains (1 tbsp) with the same amount of honey. Wash off the composition after 15 minutes;
• a mixture of cucumber juice (5 parts) and lemon juice (1 part). Wipe problem areas with lotion three times a day.

It is important to choose natural ingredients for cleansing, nourishing, and moisturizing porous skin.

With the active spread of acne, redness, the appearance of ulcers, acute inflammation of the epidermis, the main emphasis should be on pharmaceutical preparations.

In case of severe skin damage, use home remedies (herbal decoctions) as an additional type of treatment for the problematic epidermis.

If there is excessive activity of the sebaceous glands on the face, you should not self-medicate: only an experienced cosmetologist will suggest a solution to the problem. The greatest effect can be obtained by performing salon procedures in combination with proper home care for oily skin.

Video on the topic

Everyone knows from school that the purpose of the sebaceous glands is to produce fatty secretions to protect the skin. Under the influence of various factors, pollution often occurs, pores become clogged and, as a result, inflammation of the sebaceous glands occurs. There are many causes of pathological processes on the face, and once you find out which ones it will be easier to fight them.

Causes of inflammation of the sebaceous glands

As a result of the action of one or several factors at once, the pores become clogged with excess sebum. This blockage causes inflammation in the form of blackheads, pimples, abscesses, swelling, nodules containing pus, and sebaceous plugs. A dermatologist will help you find out the origin of the sebaceous gland disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

Salon methods for treating sebaceous glands on the face

If the inflammatory process is in the initial stage, then facial skin treatment You can start at a beauty salon and support it with folk remedies. A cosmetologist can offer the following physical procedures:

• – Galvanization, vacuum or mechanical facial cleansing will help clean problem areas.
• – In the process of microdermabrasion, the skin is polished using aluminum oxide crystals. As a result, the upper dead cells are removed, blood circulation is improved, and the condition of the skin improves.
• – Laser resurfacing involves removing the top dead skin cells using a laser.
• – Mesotherapy is the administration of a drug that relieves inflammation.
• – Acid peeling helps to launch the mechanism for restoring the functioning of the glands using acid solutions that penetrate deeply into the epidermis.
• – The use of cosmetic devices during the deincrustation procedure allows you to get rid of excess skin secretions and helps cleanse the skin of impurities.

Read also: Subcutaneous mite in humans: symptoms, diagnosis and all treatment methods

Cosmetic products to eliminate inflammation of the sebaceous glands

Traditional medicine recipes for normalizing the functioning of the sebaceous glands

Treatment with folk remedies for inflammatory processes on the face involves the use of inexpensive and accessible means:

• – Rose water and lemon juice are taken in equal proportions. Wipe your face with the mixture and wash off with warm water after an hour.
• – In the morning and evening, it is good to use a lotion to moisturize the skin, prepared from a tablespoon of rose water, a teaspoon of vinegar, 3 drops of camphor, 5 drops of glycerin.
• – Treatment of inflamed skin at home can be carried out using ice cubes based on decoctions of medicinal herbs.
• – Crushed orange peel, diluted with clean boiled water to the consistency of sour cream, is an excellent remedy for improving the secretion of the sebaceous glands.
• – The antibacterial effect of tar soap has a beneficial effect on inflamed areas of the skin and does an excellent job of cleaning the face from subcutaneous acne.
• – Freshly cut aloe leaves should be applied to ripe abscesses. The juice of this plant promotes the release of pus.
• – A compress with ichthyol ointment or Vishnevsky ointment will speed up the process of maturation of the abscess and its extraction.
• – Synthomycin ointment will quickly cope with internal skin inflammations.

Read also: Ointments for acne

Treatment prescribed by a doctor, in combination with salon procedures and traditional medicine, can give a good, but short-term effect if no prevention is done.

Hygiene rules during the inflammatory process

• – If the inflammatory process has begun, it is recommended to wash your face with a facial tonic in the morning and evening.
• – Soap and hard wipes will only aggravate the problem, so it is better to completely avoid using them during this period.
• – You should not touch inflamed areas of the skin or scratch problem areas. This is fraught with consequences such as increased pigmentation and scarring.
• – It is unacceptable to get sprays or hairsprays on your face.
• – During the inflammatory process, the use of creams intended for rejuvenation is prohibited.
• – Before washing, you should carefully remove decorative cosmetics from your face.

Prevention of inflammatory processes of the sebaceous glands

During treatment of diseases sebaceous glands complications may arise. Popular wisdom says that it is better to prevent a disease than to undergo treatment. To prevent skin pathologies, you need to make it a habit to follow these rules:

• – Clean water, drunk in sufficient quantities per day, helps to improve the functioning of not only all systems and organs, but also prevents skin diseases.
• – You need to include green vegetables and fruits in your daily diet, and also give preference to protein foods.
• – Careful selection of cosmetics that suit your skin type will help avoid problems with clogged pores.
• – Spending time in fresh air and moderate sunbathing promotes healthy skin.
• – Moderate physical activity and giving up bad habits restores metabolic processes in the body, including the skin.
• – Steam baths and washing with decoctions of medicinal herbs contribute to the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands.
• – Washing with bactericidal and alcohol-containing products three times a day will help avoid skin problems.

A clogged sebaceous gland can occur in anyone, anywhere – on the face, limbs and even the scrotum. All of them that exist in the human body are very important and necessary, but it is always the skin ones that are on the surface of a person who take the blow first. They protect the delicate human skin from manifestations of the outside world, for example, from dust, dirt and sun. Actually, thanks to these “defenders,” we can fearlessly go out into the street every day, do our usual things, without feeling any consequences. But what happens if they stop working correctly?

More about skin

In fact, such pores are located throughout the body, with the exception of the soles of the feet and palms. There are more of these parts of the epidermis where there is abundant hair - under the armpits, in the groin area, above the lips. All human skin is completely covered with small hairs, because sebum spreads throughout the body through the hair follicles. Although some areas of the body are hairless, oil spreads directly to the surface of the skin. The sebaceous glands on the penis, circles near the nipples, external auditory canals and other places are called free. Because hair does not interfere with their penetration and distribution on the skin.

Due to their location, all the internal parts of the pores and follicles are very different in size, structure and appearance.

The fat secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin is necessary for humans. This is especially true for delicate areas, for example, on the head of the penis, in the armpit area, on the eyelids. They perform approximately the same function as nails - they protect something that can be very easily damaged.

What can cause the disease

Those who talk about the appearance of pimples and blackheads due to neglect of hygiene products are not entirely right. On the contrary, excessive cleanliness can lead to a similar outcome - the internal parts of the skin are damaged, the epidermis shrinks and collapses. The most dangerous thing is if such a process occurs on the head of the male penis and female genital organs. In addition to unpleasant rashes, you can get acquainted with such consequences as bursting skin. It hurts terribly, itches and also provokes lymph and blood discharge, which will not be easy to stop without medication. These are not all the reasons why the sebaceous glands malfunction. Blockages can also occur:

And this is not a complete list of what can cause improper functioning of the sebaceous gland of the skin. In addition, squeezing pimples and blackheads on delicate areas, especially on the head or vagina, leads to the penetration of infection much further into the skin. The functioning of the sebaceous glands is even more disrupted, which leads not only to inflammation, but also to other, much more dangerous diseases.

Skin diseases

The whole problem is that you need to find a kind of golden mean. Excessive hygiene destroys the skin, but it cannot do without cleansing at all. If you do not clean the skin, the sebaceous gland becomes clogged with dirt, dead cells, microorganisms and sebum. In turn, this leads to many serious diseases that will have to be treated long and hard. Here's a small list:

• hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face, that is, their tumor-like lesions;
• adenoma of the sebaceous glands, that is, a benign tumor;
• atheroma, that is, a cyst;
• nevus of the sebaceous glands, that is, another type of relatively harmless tumor;
• carcinoma, that is, cancer.

Therefore, it is very important to maintain hygiene. This is especially true for those who have hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands, that is, oily skin. It’s not enough to just wash your face with plain water; you need to use special cleansers. Hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands contributes to the rapid clogging of skin openings. This also provokes inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the face and other parts of the body.

Most diseases associated with clogged pores pose a serious threat. For example, the phenomenon of atheroma is very common. Sometimes it can transform into a malignant tumor. It is enough to miss the moment a little when the sebaceous glands on the penis, face, back or limbs become clogged, and an innocent pimple, which quickly passes, turns into atheroma.

Excess dirt and sebum first provoke inflammation of the sebaceous gland, and only then, if treatment is not carried out, atheroma, adenoma of the sebaceous gland and even carcinoma occur.

The same adenoma of the sebaceous glands is a benign tumor. In itself, it is safe and can be easily removed surgically or treated with medications. However, adenoma of the sebaceous glands can also turn into cancer over time if it is constantly exposed to damage. Hypertrophy occurs when the skin thickens, sometimes turning into nodes. This is typical not only for atheroma, but also for those who have adenoma of the sebaceous glands.

Blocked sebaceous glands on the face, back or other parts of the body can lead to another unpleasant condition. True, this disease occurs extremely rarely, and only in young children. The so-called nevus of the sebaceous glands is usually congenital. The reasons for its occurrence are still not known for certain. Most often, nevus affects the sebaceous glands on the head, face and oral mucosa. Since the likelihood of its transformation into a cancerous tumor is incredibly high, nevi are usually removed.

Structure and functionality

To avoid all these unpleasant consequences, you need to know the following information. First of all, you need to learn about the structure of the sebaceous glands. It consists of several small lobes, which consist of alveoli or acini. You can see the sebaceous glands in detail in the photo. Where it is clear that the gland itself closely interacts with the hair follicle. It is much more interesting to learn about the functions of the sebaceous glands:

• lubrication of hair;
• protection from ultraviolet radiation and drying out;
• softening the skin;
• protection against viruses and infections.

The secretion of the sebaceous glands allows the skin to remain soft. A clear example of what will happen if it is absent is the heels. Agree, the skin there is much rougher and harder. If sebum secretion were present on the soles of the feet, they would be no different from the skin of the hands. True, then inflammation of the sebaceous glands would constantly be pursued, because sweating on the legs is always a little higher, especially in the hot season.

How to treat blocked glands

Inflammation of the sebaceous glands can occur at any time. Particular care should be taken if the sebaceous glands on the face (they are the ones that suffer most often) are hypertrophied or. Excessive physical activity makes our skin more vulnerable due to increased contact with water. In addition, dirt sticks more strongly to wet skin. The hypertrophied part of the skin is usually removed surgically, this is the safest way, but all this can be avoided if it is stopped.

The main reason that provokes inflammation of the sebaceous glands is excessive production of sebum. The glands secrete so much of it that even seemingly washed skin seems to be smeared with oil. How to normalize work and how to reduce fat production?

In fact, treatment methods are selected individually. Not only surgery is used, but also various medications. You can also use creams and cleansers to normalize the functioning of the skin layers. It is impossible to reduce the risk of clogging, because we come into contact with dust every day, but you can take some steps to reduce the risk of inflammation:

• masks;
• washing gels;
• special ointments for acne;
• folk remedies.

As a result of deep cleaning, the functioning of the glands is normalized, and the inflamed areas return to their normal state. It is important to understand that such things help only in the initial stages. Sometimes they even give a blood transfusion to get rid of acne. Do not delay treatment, if no means help, contact a specialist. Be healthy!

A person’s appearance depends directly on the condition of the skin. When red dots with purulent contents appear on the face, this indicates that inflammation of the sebaceous glands has occurred. It is usually called acne, pimples or, scientifically, acne.

Human skin is covered with a network of sebaceous glands, which are of unequal size. Many of them are located in the hair follicles, others are located separately.

Small glands are located together with hair follicles on the head, and larger ones are located with hair follicles on the back, chest, and arms.

The sebaceous glands in the area where the genital organs of women and men are located are significant. But the skin of the lower legs and forearms has little of them, hence the increased dryness of these parts of the body.

The size of the sebaceous glands changes throughout life. In a newborn they are large, decreasing as the child grows. It is not for nothing that a teenager suffers from acne, because the glands become larger, increasing the production of secretions. The secretory organs partially or completely atrophy in old age.

Sebaceous glands are needed to:

• lubricate the skin with lard, giving it elasticity;
• maintain a constant body temperature due to the water-lipid film on the surface;
• neutralize alkalis with acids in sebum;
• protect the deep layers of the epidermis from the penetration of bacteria, viruses, fungi;
• contribute to the normalization of metabolism in dermal cells.

Both the autonomic nervous system and the central organs regulate the secretion of sebum.

Causes of acne

Inflammation of the sebaceous glands is associated with hormonal disorders. When the glands begin to produce sebum in large quantities, their composition changes, and then a painful condition called acne occurs. They appear on the body in certain areas: on the chin or on the back. Sebum secretion is stimulated by adrenal hormones, androgens, and progesterone.

Another reason for the appearance of acne is the activity of gram-positive bacteria and fungi. They lead to the formation of comedones, which affects most people from 12 to 24 years old. These acne rashes are also associated with a genetic predisposition to them.

Disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract, especially the intestines, lead to acne.

Inflammation can be caused by:

• disruptions in the body's endocrine system;
• mental and nervous system disorders;
• taking hormonal medications;
• drinking alcohol, smoking;
• the use of low-quality cosmetics along with poor hygiene;
• environmental disasters, air pollution.

For beach lovers, ultraviolet radiation leads to the appearance of keratinized cells that clog the sebaceous ducts.

And acne appears on the back of people engaged in heavy production. Skin moist from sweat is exposed to bacteria floating in the air, and inflammation of the sebaceous glands with purulent contents occurs regularly, without having time to heal.

The course of inflammation, its consequences

Acne can be roughly divided into two groups. One of them appears when the excretory ducts of the glands become clogged with keratinized cells of the epidermis or particles of dirt and dust. The second is due to the addition of a bacterial infection.

When blocked, inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the face occurs. White dots appear around the eyes and on the cheeks. Pimples and blackheads cover the forehead and chin.

The addition of an infection leads to purulent contents in the papules, soreness of the skin around the formations, and its swelling. On the back, huge eels reach a size of ten centimeters or more.

The disease called acne can be severe or mild. When a large percentage of the body is affected by purulent papules, irreversible skin damage occurs. After all, the cells of the deep layers of the skin are involved in the pathological process. And the accumulation of highly active radicals does not reduce inflammation. The secretion of the sebaceous glands accumulates and becomes thick. Metabolic processes in tissues are disrupted. They intensify against the background of the development of seborrhea.

A complication of inflammatory processes is the benign formation of atheroma. You can notice it on the head, but a cyst-like compaction is found in the groin and on the back.

Acne has a detrimental effect on the patient's psyche. In addition to low self-esteem, he develops depression and anxiety. Adaptation of such people into teams is difficult, and they join the army of unemployed and lonely people.

Ways to get rid of acne

Treatment of skin diseases begins with identifying the cause of acne. The selection of drugs is aimed at eliminating it:

1. Antibiotics and antifungals will help stop the spread of infection deep into the skin.
2. Hormonal agents containing estrogen, which suppress sebum secretion, reduce the functions of the sebaceous glands.
3. Ointments like Levomekol have an antimicrobial effect.
4. To cleanse the sebaceous ducts, wipe the facial skin with ice cubes.
5. Taking vitamins leads to the restoration of metabolic processes in epidermal cells.

Treatment is also possible with traditional medicine, which includes infusions of chamomile and masks using chicken yolk.

Prevention measures

To prevent the sebaceous glands from becoming inflamed, follow the following rules:

• nutrition, excluding foods high in carbohydrates and fats from the diet;
• maintaining normal water balance by drinking from a liter to two liters of liquid per day;
• using high-quality cosmetics;
• regular skin care;
• body hygiene.

To avoid skin problems, you need to wash your face twice a day using water at room temperature. In complex prevention of acne, moisturize the skin using special creams such as Physiogel or Cetaphil. Excessive sebum secretion is reduced with the retinoic acid drug Adapalene.

It is better to start preventive actions during puberty from the age of 13.

Hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands, accompanied by an abundant accumulation of fat on the skin, is called seborrhea, and hypofunction, a decrease in fat formation, is called asteatosis.

Oily seborrhea (seborrhoea oleosa)

Symptoms

The skin on the affected areas appears oily, shiny, as if lubricated with liquid oil; sometimes small droplets of fat are visible protruding from the dilated mouths of the sebaceous glands. After removing it, for example, with gasoline, it quickly accumulates again. Often, along with this, there is a pronounced expansion of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands, the formation of sebaceous plugs (comedo), and acne. In the overwhelming majority, oily seborrhea is localized in areas of the skin, especially rich in sebaceous glands: on the forehead, nose, on its wings and in the nasolabial folds, on the chin, zygomatic arches, scalp, and the hair becomes oily and shiny. Next - on the skin of the foreskin, the clitoris, between the labia minora and majora, in the area of ​​the sternum, on the back. The disease develops especially often during puberty. For many, it lasts a long time into adulthood. Often the appearance of seborrhea is observed following general debilitating diseases, often in anemic subjects and in women suffering from abnormalities of the gonads.

On the scalp, decomposing fat causes itching. As a result of scratching, excoriations and folliculitis are formed, and sometimes eczematization develops. Hair loss, initially subtle, can become significant if left untreated and lead to baldness.

Dry seborrhea (seborrhoea sicca)

Symptoms

This very common disease mainly affects the scalp, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard and mustache. On the skin covered with hair, fairly dry layers accumulate in large quantities, consisting mainly of keratinized epidermis and fat mixed with it. Typically, dry seborrhea begins during puberty in the form of the well-known dandruff. Over time, dandruff becomes so much that the hair takes on the appearance of being powdered, it falls in abundance on the dress, and itching begins to bother the patients. The skin appears to be completely covered with numerous asbestos-like scales; in some places, more or less massive, rather firmly adherent layers of grayish-white, yellowish-gray greasy crusts appear on it. Under the scales and crusts, the skin retains its normal color, hair loss increases sharply, increasing, it leads to the formation of baldness, baldness.

On skin not covered with hair, most often the skin of the face, dry seborrhea is characterized by the appearance of either relatively large or smaller, round or oval spots, limited by more or less sharp contours; thin, small, grayish-white, asbestos-like scales accumulate on their surface, as a result of which they give the impression of being powdered with chalk. And here the skin remains normal in all other respects. The only thing that catches your attention is some dryness, and sometimes slight hyperemia. These spots appear especially clearly after washing with cold water or when staying outdoors in damp, windy weather. Mild and not always present itching is the only subjective disorder.

The etiology of seborrhea is still not entirely clear. Undoubtedly, there is a certain dependence of oily seborrhea on the constitutional characteristics of the body, as evidenced by everyday observations of familial seborrhea. There is no doubt about its connection with the function of the endocrine glands, as evidenced by the most common development of seborrhea during puberty and its connection with disorders of the female reproductive system.

Dry seborrhea is obviously an infectious epidermatitis. A number of authors note its contagiousness and consider the Malasse-Unna spores to be the cause of the disease.

Histopathological picture.

In places there is hyperkeratosis, especially at the mouths of the follicles, in places there are nests of parakeratosis with loosening of the stratum corneum and the formation of macroscopic scales.

In the developmental stage of baldness, it is a matter of atrophy of the hair follicles and hair papillae.

The diagnosis of oily seborrhea is easy to establish. The situation with dry seborrhea on the scalp is somewhat more complicated. It is not difficult to mistake diffuse trichophytosis pilaris in adults for dry seborrhea; a thorough mycological analysis is required. Dry seborrhea is distinguished from squamous eczema by the presence at first of at least mild hyperemia and infiltration of the skin and eczematous areas on the cutis glabra, especially on the skin of the ears, neck, and face. With scaly lichen, accumulations of scales on the scalp are usually striking in their massiveness, the scales are drier, and when scraped they look like layered mica-like, often brilliantly white plates. The skin underneath is a moist red Malpighian layer, further characteristic is the pronounced scalloped edge of the area affected by psoriasis along the border of the scalp on the forehead, on the lateral surfaces of the neck. Finally, typical plaques of psoriasis on smooth skin help in recognition. Seborrheic discs on the face should not be confused with erythematous lupus, with the latter scales being drier, denser, and held tighter, lupus plaques are resolved by an atrophic scar.

The prognosis for final recovery from seborrhea is not always entirely favorable: relapses are very common.

Prevention and treatment.

Preventive measures. General treatment and prevention of seborrhea should be aimed at eliminating disorders that favor its development (decreased nutrition, impaired metabolism due to obesity, intoxication from the gastrointestinal tract, anemia, etc.). General tonic treatment is also necessary: ​​appropriate hydrotherapy, diet, exercise, arsenic, quinine, bromine preparations. For special indications, organotherapeutic drugs are also prescribed - ovarian, thyroidin, suprarenin, etc.

Local treatment of oily seborrhea.

For smooth skin disease, daily washing with soapy alcohol is recommended. It is produced as follows: soapy alcohol is rubbed into the skin with a clean flannel soaked in hot water for 1-2 minutes, then the foam is washed off with hot water, the face is wiped and covered overnight with sulfur-resorcinol or sulfur-salicylic paste or ointment. In the morning, wash your face with warm water and powder it. Some patients do not tolerate soap alcohol well; it can be replaced with sulfur or sulfur-tar soap. During the day, it is good to remove excess fat by wiping the skin with purified gasoline.

To treat oily seborrhea of ​​the scalp, the following is recommended: rub 2-3 tablespoons of soap alcohol with the same amount of hot water into the scalp every morning until a rich foam forms. The latter is left on the head for 10 minutes and then washed off with plenty of hot water, the hair is dried with a soft towel, and the skin is moistened with a small amount of alcohol. At night, rub sulfide ointment into the scalp for 10-15 minutes. Treatment is recommended to be carried out carefully for 1-1.5 months every day, only in case of skin irritation you can take a break for 2-3 days. In most cases, by this time, fat separation sharply decreases, the itching sensation stops, and hair loss stops. Then the same treatment continues for another 1-2 months, but not daily, first every other day, then less often. Every day, just rub resorcinol alcohol of the above composition into your head. By the end of 3-4 months of such persistent treatment, you can count on success and in the future limit yourself to only weekly washing of your hair with sulfur-tar soap, Pixaphone and, after a day or two, rubbing in resorcinol alcohol.

Treatment of dry seborrhea.

Treatment of dry seborrhea should begin with a thorough cleansing of the head from seborrheic deposits. To do this, overnight the hair is soaked in Provençal or Vaseline oil with the addition of 1-2% salicylic acid and a rubber or oilcloth cap is put on. In the morning, the crusts are removed by washing your hair with soapy alcohol. In the evening, treatment with sulfur-tar ointment of the above composition begins. This treatment - ointment in the evening, shampooing in the morning - should be carried out for several weeks until the formation of scales and hair loss stops. If patients indicate that daily washing causes them a feeling of skin tightness and unpleasant dryness, they should wash their hair less often (1-2 times a week). For subsequent treatment, long-term use of 10-15% sulfur ointment is recommended.

Asteatosis

This name refers to a decrease in sebum secretion, which is reflected clinically by excessive dryness of the skin, a tendency to crack, especially in areas where it is stretched, and more or less abundant lamellar peeling.

The causes of hypofunction of the sebaceous glands are varied: old age, congenital anomalies, in particular, some dermatoses, for example, ichthyosis, pruritus, lichen planus, psoriasis, myxedema, and some diseases of the nervous system. Frequent washing of the skin, friction, and certain professions (for example, laundresses, working with alkaline solutions, etc.) have a certain influence in this direction.

Treatment comes down to lubricating the skin with indifferent fats - lanolin.

Acne spot (comedo)

The name comedo refers to small plugs that clog the mouths of the sebaceous glands, the size of poppy seeds to millet grains, brownish or black in color. When pressed from the sides, they are released from the gland duct in the form of a cylindrical or barrel-shaped rod or a thin, convoluted formation like an eel, hence the name - eel. The head of the eel is usually brownish-black or black, the body is white, yellowish-white. The coloring of the head is the result mainly of contamination and partly of the presence of brown granular pigment. Comedo consists of keratinized epithelial cells containing brown pigment, dense fat, crystals of cholesterol, leucine and tyrosine, detritus and scraps of epithelial cells and various random inclusions - vellus hair, various microorganisms.

The favorite localization is the forehead, cheeks in the area of ​​the zygomatic arches, nose, chin, skin of the chest, back, but they are often found in other places, for example, on the skin of the genitals.

The reasons are varied: most often it is a purely mechanical blockage of the mouth of the follicle with dust particles, coal, or tar. This is favored by the decreased tone of the walls of the sebaceous glands, which occurs with increased function of the latter during puberty, and hyperkeratosis at the mouth of the follicle.

After a thorough local steam bath, the acne is squeezed out with a special tool - an acne squeezer. The presence of inflammation around the acne is a contraindication to this procedure. For consistent treatment, a skin massage with sulfur ointment is prescribed. As a preventive measure, daily rubbing of the skin with alcohol, 1% salicylic alcohol, cologne or gasoline is recommended.

Redheads (rosacea)

The most common cause of rosacea are diseases of the gastrointestinal system, for example, dilation and atony of the stomach, chronic constipation, accompanied by increased intestinal fermentation, diseases of the liver, heart, kidneys, leading to circulatory disorders. Abuse of alcoholic beverages, apparently causing digestive disorders, liver and heart diseases, also entails the development of rosacea. Various disorders of the endocrine glands - the thyroid, the ovaries in the first place - are often accompanied by rosacea, as well as diseases of the genital organs (dysmenorrhea, salpingitis, oophoritis, metritis, etc.). Finally, exogenous factors that cause repeated disorders of local circulation - prolonged exposure to cold, wind, heat on the skin of the face can lead to the development of this dermatosis.

Symptoms

There are three periods in the development of rosacea:

the first is a period of hyperemia, which intensifies after eating too much, after consuming alcohol, after exposure to heat or cold; telangiectasia gradually develops;

in the second period, hyperemia and telangiectasias are accompanied by the development of inflammatory infiltrates - scattered, vaguely contoured nodules of a more or less bright red color, gradually merging into bluish, tuberous plaques, their cover is usually oily, the openings of the sebaceous glands are enlarged, filled with lard. Some of the nodules turn, disintegrating, into pustules, shrinking into crusts;

the third period is characterized by hypertrophy and proliferation - the skin thickens, in some places the infiltrates turn into voluminous nodes, the sebaceous glands greatly expand, and when pressed, they release a large amount of foul-smelling secretion.

Localization - nose, forehead, cheeks, less often the chin. Subjective sensations are negligible or completely absent; patients are only distressed by cosmetic defects. The course of the disease is long. The nodules turning into pustules leave behind small scars.

Rosacea is usually seen after age 30.

Histopathological changes are limited to dilation of blood vessels, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands and hypertrophy, and sometimes hyperplasia of collagen tissue.

The diagnosis in typical cases is not difficult. It differs from juvenile acne in the development of patients in adulthood, the absence of comedones, the presence of telangiectasia, and the absence of a natural connection of nodules with the sebaceous glands. Tuberous syphilide is distinguished by more dense nodules, darker, with a brownish tint, the formation of true ulcers with compacted edges, and the presence of other manifestations of syphilis.

The disease is long-term, requires persistent treatment, and often recurs.

In the first place should be special treatment of those disorders of the internal organs that can be associated with the development of dermatosis. Drinking alcohol, strong tea, and coffee should be completely stopped. In all cases where the condition of the stomach allows it, you should try the administration of ichthyol 3 times a day, 10 drops in water.

Local treatment. In the first stage, galvanocaustics of telangiectasia gives good results. In more severe cases of the disease, it is better to use lighting with a quartz lamp with compression until bubbles form, approximately 5 minutes in each area. This procedure leads to the destruction of the endothelium in the capillaries and their desolation, the result is barely noticeable atrophy. In the presence of infiltrates and nodes, multiple repeated scarification of the affected tissue to a depth of 0.5-1 mm is recommended, followed by disinfectant, astringent compresses or the application of indifferent ointments. Sometimes exfoliating acne treatment is helpful. Freezing carbonic acid with snow has more than once given quite satisfactory results: in the initial stages of hyperemia and telangiectasias, we used short-term freezing (6-10 seconds) with light pressure, and with thickening of the skin - slightly longer (up to 20-25 seconds).

Knobby nose (rhinophyma)

The name rhinophyma refers to a nodular tumor-like growth of the skin of the nose, which is based on colossal hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands, hyperplasia of the connective tissue of the skin and vessels, both blood and lymphatic.

The etiology of rhinophyma has not been definitively established.

Symptoms

The skin of the nose, mainly in the lower half, turns into a lumpy tumor consisting of tuberous nodules of various sizes and shapes, most often they sit on a wide base, sometimes hanging down on a stalk. Their number varies and can be significant. Their color is either waxy-pale, shiny, or (and this is observed more often) purple-bluish, with numerous, greatly expanded blood branches. The mouths of the sebaceous glands are sharply expanded. It is easy to squeeze out foul-smelling sebum from them; there are large quantities of sebaceous plugs. To the touch, the nodes in most cases are soft, flabby, and sometimes more or less dense. From time to time, pustules appear on the nodes. Rhinophyma is more common in older men. It develops slowly at first, then the growth of tumors accelerates. The nodes never undergo purulent softening or ulceration.

Histopathological changes.

In young nodes, the cyst-like expansion of the sebaceous glands comes to the fore; the phenomena of hypertrophy and hyperplasia are already visible early. The glands are divided into many large lobules, partly lying directly under the epidermis, collagen tissue grows, blood vessels, especially small veins, greatly expand, as well as lymphatic vessels, in some places it comes to the development of varicose formations. Along with these changes, there are vessels with thickened walls. Connective tissue cells increase in number, their protoplasm swells. In addition, cellular infiltration is always visible, mainly of the perivascular type, more pronounced in the circumference of the sebaceous glands. Near the glands, polymorphonuclear leukocytes sometimes accumulate in more or less significant numbers and form miliary abscesses.

The prognosis is favorable.

Removal of all overgrown tissues with a razor under local anesthesia in such a way that a layer of soft tissue no thinner than 2 mm remains above the cartilage. Under this condition, the epidermis is reborn from the remaining lobules of the sebaceous glands that have not been removed, and the cosmetic result is excellent. Apparently, diathermic coagulation can be used with equal success.