Many do not realize that they have sebaceous glands, until there is some kind of violation of their work. It can be blockage, inflammation, excess or insufficient fat formation and much more. Like everything else in the human body, this little lubrication factory is superb. She does not require special care. Keeping simple hygiene rules is enough for its functioning.
But what if something went wrong? If the face is covered with blackheads, barley jumped up on the eyelid, and dandruff falls on the shoulders? To get rid of problems, you first need to establish the cause of the failure. To do this, consider the structure of the sebaceous gland.
A bit of anatomy
Glands are located on almost all human skin. Some remove sweat, others - sebum, which is called sebum. Interestingly, the most productive sebaceous glands are located on the face, back and chest, but they are not on the palms and soles.
The figure shows the structure of the skin:
- Hair.
- Sebaceous gland.
The following varieties exist:
- Monolobed –opening ducts at the mouth of the hair.
- Multilobular - characteristic of the facial area, vellus hairs.
- Not related to hair - specific to mucous membranes.
The sebaceous glands of the skin consist of two parts: the secretory (glandular epithelium that produces sebocyte cells) and the excretory duct. Sebocytes live for eight days, during which they accumulate fat, after which they are destroyed and represent sebum. The sebum moves along the duct, pushed by newly formed cells. The muscle that lifts the hair completes the release of the secret to the surface.
With the onset of puberty, there is a massive increase in them. With age, the secretion of sebum gradually decreases, and by old age, most of the glands atrophy.
Diseases of the sebaceous glands
All diseases caused by impaired sebum secretion can be divided into two groups: those affecting the excretory duct and associated with glandular tissue. The malfunction of the gland is influenced by both external and internal factors. To a large extent, the separation of her secret is influenced by the hormonal background.
Among the common pathologies are the following:
- Seborrhea. Her complication is acne: whiteheads, rosacea, comedones.
- Hyperplasia.
- Atheroma.
Seborrhea
With hyperfunction, the work of the sebaceous gland is disturbed. It produces too many sebocytes, which is accompanied by accumulations of sebum on the surface of the skin. This is called seborrhea. With this disease, sebum changes its chemical composition. This is due to endocrineviolations, especially concerning the gonads of internal secretion. Due to the decrease in linoleic acid in the sebum, the pH of the skin rises, it can no longer defend itself against infections. With hypofunction of the glands, so little sebum is released that the skin begins to thin and dry out. pH is disturbed and protective functions also suffer.
Symptoms of seborrhea (oily, which is dry and liquid):
- Shiny skin.
- On the nose and cheeks, dilated excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands.
- Sebum clogs the excretory ducts and acne vulgaris (acne) is formed.
- Dandruff sticky flakes.
Dry seborrhea is characterized by:
- Dry and cracked, flaky skin.
- Small dandruff.
- Seborrheas.
- Itching.
Acne
The term "acne" comes from the ancient Greek language and means "flourishing". This is the name of the inflammation of the sebaceous gland and the hair follicle, at the mouth of which its duct comes out. An eel is formed. There are several types of acne: white, red and black. One form or another of seborrhea leads to this. At the same time, oily seborrhea is much more prone to acne. On dry skin, there are few such manifestations, they are better tolerated by patients. This is because it is easier for infections to spread in a fatty environment.
Acne treatment begins with determining the prerequisites for its occurrence: collecting tests that show a detailed picture. This is a general blood test, bacteriology (the doctor takes swabs from the skin), glucose levels, hormones. In this studyit is supposed to pass another analysis - for demodicosis (skin damage by a tick). After the examination, individual treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of oily seborrhea
To successfully combat the state of hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands, you should observe hygiene, do not use other people's washcloths, combs and other care items. Clean skin will exclude the attachment of infections and the development of complications. Excess fat is removed by degreasing with a 2% solution of salicylic alcohol. The procedure is carried out twice a day. In between, cleanse the skin using high quality soap and warm water.
Despite the fact that hot water quickly washes away fat, it should be avoided: high temperature provokes an increase in the activity of the glands. Finish washing with cold water to close the pores. The head is washed with a suitable shampoo, which guarantees the destruction of pathogenic flora. Since a fungal infection can join, use the appropriate means.
No creams, ointments, lotions, tonics or powders are allowed. They disrupt the acid-base balance of the skin, close the pores, inhibit healing. Regular sunbathing will help restore a he althy complexion, and quartz treatment in bad weather. Ultraviolet rays kill the infection and leave a beautiful tan. Sea baths and hiking quickly normalize metabolism, which helps in the treatment of sebaceous glands.
Treatment of dry seborrhea
For the treatment of dry seborrhea, sulfuric ointment (10%) is used, which is rubbed into the affected areas for a week. Zinc preparations help,especially in advanced cases. When the effect is not observed, then hormonal drugs are used. Vitamins D, E, A, B are used in the complex. Physiotherapy is prescribed.
Diet for seborrhea restricts fats (especially of animal origin) and fast carbohydrates (white flour products and sweets). The basis of the diet should be vegetables and fruits, greens, dairy products, eggs, chicken breast.
Folk treatments for dry seborrhea aim to make up for the lack of sebum by rubbing oil with herbal infusions. Within 15 minutes, gently massage the affected areas. Burdock oil, a mixture of sunflower oil with lemon juice, and sea buckthorn extract in olive oil are very popular. The head is washed using a decoction of burdock roots, steamed birch buds, nettle infusion.
Hyperplasia
If acne is more common in youth, then hyperplasia, or growth, of the glands is a disease of adulthood. A depression appears on the skin, around which the lobules of the sebaceous gland are located.
The photo shows a typical hyperplasia that does not bother a person for a long time. The blockage that occurred at one time led to the growth of the gland, an increase in its lobules and an expansion of the common duct. Papules appear, which are called telangiectasias. They are often vascularized and present a significant defect when located on the face.
The color of mature papules is dark yellow, clearly different from the surrounding skin. By the appearance of such a defectsimilar to basal cell carcinoma. Therefore, be sure to do a biopsy and investigate telangiectasia. With hyperplasia, the doctor will receive confirmation that the tissue surrounding the depression belongs to the same gland.
Treatment of papules is usually not required. If hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face causes cosmetic discomfort, the cosmetologist removes the defects. Good results are achieved with laser, electrocution or triacetic acid.
Atheroma
Obstruction of the sebaceous gland can lead to atheroma, or subcutaneous cyst. It has curd-like contents, which are sebum and desquamated epidermal cells. An infection is almost always attached, which leads to an unpleasant odor of such clusters. Sometimes atheroma has a hole through which the contents can exit. Often the lesion is multiple. Atheroma is considered a cosmetic defect, but may have an unfavorable outcome.
The reason for its appearance is hormonal imbalance, metabolic disorders. The risk of disease is increased by improper use of cosmetics, injuries, and poor hygiene. A decrease in the patency of the duct of the gland leads to its blockage. Having no outlet for sebum, iron increases in volume. At the same time, its contents are enclosed in a capsule. The cyst is mobile with pressure but is often painful.
When an atheroma becomes inflamed, a cyst may open, leaving behind an ulcer. An abscess may develop with the formation of an abscess. It is extremely rare for her to degenerate into cancer. Independent attempts to squeeze outcontents lead to infection in the blood and general intoxication. Its difference from a lipoma is rapid growth, location on the face, back or groin, inflammation, the presence of an excretory canal, pain. Lipoma is a tumor of adipose tissue, while atheroma is the result of blockage of the sebaceous gland.
Atheroma treatment
If the atheroma is small, not inflamed, you can try folk methods for its removal, which are usually used to get rid of wen:
- You can achieve skin ulceration with celandine juice, and then pull the cyst out with a compress from Vishnevsky's ointment. This method is not suitable for the face.
- A baked onion compress with laundry soap will help the cyst dissolve. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and stored in the refrigerator.
- Lubricating atheroma with a mixture of lard and garlic juice after steaming (bath, sauna) can increase blood flow in its area and lead to resorption.
In case of inflammation of the sebaceous glands, it is forbidden to get rid of atheroma on your own. You should contact your surgeon immediately. First, a histological examination is performed. This is how atheroma is differentiated from lipoma, fibroma, and other similar manifestations. Atheroma is removed surgically under local anesthesia. The doctor excised the cyst along with the capsule, which prevents recurrences. In advanced cases, the patient is hospitalized. With purulent atheroma, an incision is made, drainage is inserted. Prescribe antibiotics.
Conclusion
In order not to have trouble with the skin, you should remember aboutthat it is the largest organ of the human body. He has his own physiology, he constantly protects his master from the external environment. Hygiene is one of the conditions for its proper operation. Let us take care of the faithful defender.
