Treatment of inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the face - folk and salon methods. How to reduce the production of sebaceous glands on the face Sebaceous glands on the face folk remedies

Excessive oily skin and hair in the tail area in cats is more of a cosmetic defect than a serious disease. But this problem always worries owners, because beautiful shiny fluffy fur is the calling card of every healthy cat.

Signs of the disease

Depending on the severity of the problem, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands can manifest itself in different ways:

In the area of the rump and at the base of the tail, the fur becomes greasy in appearance: the fur is dull and unkempt, the hair sticks together “”.
The fur breaks off at the base or areas of baldness appear - bald spots.
Lumps form on the skin, sometimes comedones (blackheads) and. It can be severe (inflamed skin covered with scales).

Causes

“Greasy tail” occurs in cats of any breed and gender, but there are patterns: cats suffer from it much more often than cats. The disease usually occurs in uncastrated animals, which is why its second name is “breeding tail.” The causes, like other skin diseases, are very diverse:

hormonal problems (high testosterone levels);
various metabolic disorders;
improper feeding (excess fat, lack of vitamin F - omega acids);
insufficient grooming (coat care);
hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands.

Often a greasy tail is caused by a combination of several problems. For example:

The cat is overfed, the diet contains a lot of low quality fats. Obesity develops in the liver. At the same time, the animal stops licking itself due to significant fat deposits - the cat simply cannot bend. All this leads to the development of greasy tail syndrome.
Overactivity of the sebaceous glands often develops in cats without hair – this is “gummy”. Excess sebum is necessary to protect the skin in such animals, but it often results in the formation of blackheads - acne, and sometimes inflammation of the skin (pyoderma). The outer surface of the tail and the back along the spine are affected, since these areas initially contain many sebaceous glands that have hormone receptors.
The disease may have a hereditary predisposition.

Systemic treatment

Although the “greasy tail” in itself does not threaten the life and health of the pet, it is a reason to consult a veterinarian. It is necessary to identify the cause, depending on which treatment is prescribed:

If the cat is intact, there is a high probability that the problem will disappear after.
If the animal is of breeding value, but does not receive the highest points at the exhibition due to the poor quality of the coat and skin, hormonal drugs are used that temporarily suppress reproductive function (Suprelorin).

A dermatologist must be competent in issues of endocrinology. There are hormones that provoke excessive formation of sebum - these are not only sex hormones (androgens, progesterone), but also hormones of the adrenal cortex and adrenocorticotropic hormone of the pituitary gland. Estrogens suppress sebum production.

Systemic diseases are excluded, especially those related to digestion and metabolism - for this it is useful to take a comprehensive test.
The doctor analyzes the cat’s diet; some animals need diet correction. This includes the selection of low-fat feeds, the introduction of food additives that normalize the condition of the skin (contain B vitamins, zinc, sulfur, Omega-3 fatty acids). For obese animals, a weight loss plan is drawn up with mandatory weight monitoring twice a month.

For severe inflammation of the skin and deep comedones, the veterinarian may prescribe a course of anti-inflammatory hormonal medications. But such measures are needed only when the problem is advanced; in general, the treatment of sebaceous tail comes down to regular local treatments.

Local treatment

Washing sticky brown discharge from skin and fur is truly difficult. It is necessary to choose a shampoo with anti-inflammatory and keratolytic effects. There is no need to wash the whole cat; only problem areas are treated.

Zoohygienic shampoo "Doctor".

Treatment begins with daily treatments, and contact of the foam with the skin should be at least 5-7 minutes. Then the tail is washed at intervals of 1-3 days until the skin is in satisfactory condition.

For dark-colored show animals, keep in mind that shampoo may lighten the fur slightly.

Shampoos with chlorhexidine 4% (Global Vet, Doctor VIC, Api-San).

This detergent is prescribed for severe pyoderma. The shampoo will effectively destroy pathogenic fungi and bacteria and relieve inflammation. It is necessary to keep the foam for 5-10 minutes, the treatments are repeated after 3-5 days for a month.

Specialized products for very oily coats.

Before the show, you can use deep cleansing shampoos such as Jerob One-Step Grease Removing (USA, An-Ju). Apply the product to wet fur, after 3 minutes foam with water and rinse thoroughly.

Many breeders use regular Fairy type dishwashing detergent for pre-show preparation. They really wash the hair “squeaky clean”, completely removing fat, but are unsafe in the long term, since they disrupt the pH of the skin and dry it out.

After washing, the final rinse can be carried out with herbal infusions and decoctions - chamomile, calendula.

Ointments with antifungal, antibacterial effects, as well as hormonal ointments can only be used as prescribed by a dermatologist. When using such products, the cat must wear an “Elizabethan” protective collar to prevent licking and swallowing of the medicine. To have an effective effect on the skin, the hair (if it has not fallen out previously) must be cut short.

After the course of treatment, excess sebum can be removed using dry powder shampoos, because cats hate washing. Use:

Trixie Trocken Shampoo;
Beaphar Grooming Powder;
Croci Gills;
regular starch, baby powder.

The powder is applied against the grain, rubbing gently. Then you need to comb it thoroughly using a natural bristle brush.

Prevention

Sterilization helps to avoid problems with greasy tail, ensuring a calm hormonal balance. But it is worth noting that many uncastrated cats never encounter such a dermatological problem.
A balanced diet and timely contact with a specialist at the first signs of the disease will help prevent hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands. Preventing obesity throughout a pet’s life and caring for its fur is something any owner can do.

Conclusion

“Greasy tail” in itself is not dangerous, but in advanced cases it leads to serious problems. Deep acne and pyoderma are difficult to treat and cause suffering to the animal. In hairless cats, there are cases when the tail has to be amputated due to severe inflammation of the skin reaching the caudal vertebrae.

The abundance of medicinal and prophylactic agents for treating hair and skin makes it possible to cope with hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands in most animals. Difficulties arise only with aggressive pets that resist bathing and other procedures.

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All the “delights” of problem skin (acne, inflammation, oily shine and acne spots) are given to us when there is dysfunction of the sebaceous glands on the face. This is especially noticeable in those for whom these external secretion organs have always worked problematically.

Usually such people combination or oily type skin. Even at a young age, they never tire of fighting small whiteheads and enlarged pores.

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Hyperplasia on the face

This term refers to the enlarged condition of the sebaceous glands. The word is translated as “excessive formation” of a benign neoplasm on the epidermis. Oily skin and enlarged pores lead to constant blockage of the sebaceous glands and hypersecretion of sebum.

Unlike acne, whitish formations on the skin of the face are usually hard to the touch and have some elevation (“crater”). Some patients of dermatologists experience redness of these elements or even germination of their vessels (this also happens in advanced cases of rosacea).

Be sure to consult a specialist, because such “decorations” can often be confused with one of the types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma. The dermatologist will refer you for a biopsy (a tiny scraping will be taken from the tumor), and only after that will he be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

Forehead area

The saddest thing is that even complete care, no matter how delicate and thorough it may be, no matter how best cosmetics you use, this does not guarantee you will get rid of these formations.

In addition, ultraviolet radiation (bright rays of the sun, during which sebum is actively secreted) “helps” provoke hyperplasia.

Unsightly spots are scattered all over the face, their location is difficult to predict and prevent. The most common area of their appearance is the forehead and central area of the face.

Sebaceous gland therapy

Do not try to solve this problem yourself. Adequate and effective treatment is possible only under the supervision of a professional. A dermatologist will help establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe medications against the disease. Of course, home remedies help support therapy, and these should also be discussed with your doctor.

In addition, there are procedures for hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands, which are performed in beauty salons and cosmetology centers.

Types of procedures

Peelings– basic techniques against inflammation. Usually it is one or the other, most often a combination (for example, using trichloroacetic acid).
Electric needle. A technology similar to the operation of any electrolysis device, when the blockage of the sebaceous gland is destroyed. After manipulation, a small scab appears on the spot, which after a while peels off on its own.
Photodynamic therapy– use of laser against neoplasms and the appearance of unwanted cells. Usually several sessions are prescribed, at the end of the course the skin is almost completely free of hyperplasia.
Liquid nitrogen removal– unlike the treatment of moles and papillomas, this technique is not very popular for working with pores. There is a risk that the reagent penetrates too deeply into the layers of the epidermis (it is not so easy to control nitrogen in liquid form), after which an unsightly scar may remain on the skin. The same applies to a surgical solution to the problem, which is why the method is not so popular among dermatologists today.

Also, the doctor will probably prescribe retinoids for topical use or azelaic acid. And may add hormonal drugs to reduce the body's production of testosterone.

conclusions

Unfortunately, this disease cannot completely disappear from the face, but thanks to timely attention to it, you can take it under control.

Carefully select home care for your face, do not use untested cheap products (including folk remedies), do not be lazy to go to a cosmetologist and do not save on yourself. By regularly caring for your face using suitable cosmetics, you will minimize the occurrence of unpleasant hyperplasias.

Sebaceous glands on the face- one of the most important organs of external secretion, on which the condition, appearance of our skin, and its youth depend. If these small secretory organs function normally, then we are not afraid of acne, inflammation, oily sheen and other “charms” of problem skin. However, if we spent most of our adult lives struggling with problems that are characteristic of oily or combination skin, then closer to the age of 40 or so we will be able to notice on the face a number of enlarged sebaceous glands and small whitish depressed “pimples” appearing in their place, which randomly appear on various parts of the face or even the body. It is extremely difficult not to get rid of this defect, but you should not give up!

Enlarged sebaceous glands on the face: hyperplasia

Hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face is the “technical” scientific name for benign formations on the skin (in translation, hyperplasia means “excessive formation”, “increased formation”). These specific formations on the skin form over time as a result of chronic dysfunction of the sebaceous glands: this problem goes hand in hand with such defects as enlarged pores and oily skin. Hypersecretion of sebum leads to blockage of the sebaceous glands, and the secretion accumulates in them over time, and the glands themselves increase in size. In this case, the sebaceous glands and nearby pores become clogged in a very specific way, forming hard (less often soft) white or yellowish elevations on the skin with a “crater” in the center. In fact, the deepening in the center of these formations is the main diagnostic criterion, thanks to which you can clearly say that you are dealing with hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands, and not with something else like milia or acne. Sometimes enlarged sebaceous glands can change color (turn red with inflammation) or sprout blood vessels (at a more advanced age with rosacea). You should also be aware that some manifestations of inflammation or hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face can superficially resemble a form of skin cancer known as basal cell carcinoma. To exclude an alarming diagnosis, a dermatologist can perform a biopsy - take a tiny scraping from the tumor and examine it for the presence of atypical cells.

Although these formations are not as painful or inflamed as acne, they are quite stubborn: enlarged sebaceous glands on the face do not go away, regardless of the thoroughness of facial skin care and the adequacy of the choice of cosmetics. Those pesky bumps aren't just clogged pores or milia, but rather a more persistent problem called sebaceous gland hyperplasia. In this condition, another factor that can cause additional damage is sunlight. The fact is that ultraviolet radiation provokes not only skin damage, but also intensive production of sebum. As for dislocation, these neoplasms associated with enlarged sebaceous glands are usually “scattered” throughout the face and are extremely rarely located close to each other, although this does happen. Hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands most often appears on the forehead and central part of the face, but can also occur anywhere on the body, especially in areas where the most sebaceous glands are located.

Treatment of hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face

Treatment of sebaceous gland hyperplasia should not be started on your own; this problem requires a visit to a dermatologist. Although, of course, there are remedies you can use at home to keep these unsightly growths under control and keep your skin as smooth as possible. However, doctors have great capabilities and can offer you several options for treating sebaceous gland hyperplasia on the face. The following types of sebaceous gland treatment (alone or in combination) are available today.

Peels: as a rule, these are chemical mono- or combined peels, often based on salicylic or trichloroacetic acid.
Electric needle: This method, which works on the same principle as electrolysis, causes the blockage in the sebaceous gland to be broken down. After the procedure, a small scab forms at the site of the removed hyperplasia, which soon peels off naturally.
Photodynamic therapy is a technique that is based on the use of a laser beam to damage unwanted cells and formations. In this case, the skin is pre-treated with a special gel that reacts to light radiation. To completely get rid of sebaceous gland hyperplasia, several sessions of this procedure are often required.
Liquid nitrogen - in this case, removing enlarged sebaceous glands on the face seems to be a rather risky undertaking. The fact is that if the reagent penetrates the skin too deeply, you can end up with a scar or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, while it is very difficult to control the “behavior” of liquid nitrogen.
Prescription topical retinoids or azelaic acid: This treatment for facial sebaceous glands may reduce hyperplasia, but will not completely solve the problem.
Surgical excision can also cause scarring and is therefore considered a last resort option.
Hormonal medications (antiandrogens) reduce the level of the hormone testosterone, which may be a key factor in the development of the problem of hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands (testosterone affects the activity of the sebaceous glands and can stimulate the growth of hyperaplasia). This method, like surgical excision, is a last resort and is used only if safer treatments have failed.

Before considering and choosing any of these options, you should know that, like acne, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face cannot be completely cured - this pathology can only be brought under control. Thus, enlarged sebaceous glands on the face can be reduced or removed, but their hyperactivity will remain at the same level. This will likely lead to the formation of new hyperplasias, especially in the absence of proper home skin care. Thus, if you decide to remove hyperplasia using one of the listed methods, be prepared to carefully and regularly care for your facial skin using appropriate cosmetics.

Facial skin care for diseases of the sebaceous glands

After treating your sebaceous gland hyperplasia, choose a few key products to help prevent new bumps from forming on your skin. Chief among them are tools that perform two main tasks in our case.

Normalize the activity of the sebaceous glands (seboregulation).
Provide proper cleansing of dead skin particles (exfoliation).

To do this, you should choose products with fairly high concentrations of salicylic acid, or, alternatively, fruit acids. Salicylic acid is considered more gentle and also reduces inflammation in the sebaceous glands on the face. The next group of products worthy of our attention are products containing retinol: studies have shown that they can be effective in reducing the number of enlarged sebaceous glands on the face, as well as their diameter. Retinoids in cosmetics help control the growth of skin cells that can clog pores, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and also regulate sebum production. Another ingredient that helps with diseases of the sebaceous glands is vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide or niacin. This component provides several benefits at once: reducing inflammation and reducing cell proliferation, which accompanies the development of sebaceous gland hyperplasia. A trio of these ingredients in various products (serums, cleansing gels, creams) helps to significantly reduce the risk of recurrence of enlarged sebaceous glands on the face.

These were the best skin care products for hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face. As for scrubs and gommages, you shouldn’t really rely on them: not a single mechanical exfoliant in the world, regardless of composition or price, can eliminate inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the face or their hyperplasia. The fact is that inflammation in the sebaceous glands and their blockage are “rooted” deep enough that scrubs will not be able to reach the source of the problem. Moreover, if you try to diligently “scrape off” these formations on the skin, you can get additional inflammation, dryness and irritation on the skin. However, regular and gentle exfoliation (1-2 times a week) of dead epidermal cells is extremely important - without this, care will be incomplete and ineffective. Remember: without complete cleansing, blockage of the sebaceous glands on the face is inevitable. It is also important to make sure that your skin is protected with sunscreen before going outside, as ultraviolet radiation aggravates the problem of hyperplasia.

Most often, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands is found on the face, since this is where the largest number of cells producing fatty secretions are located. Skin areas on the chest and upper back may also be affected.

This problem does not show any special symptoms. Gradually, fat accumulates in the upper layers of the dermis, and the gland tissues that produce it begin to increase. As a result, small papules form on the surface of the skin. They look like tubercles, in the center of which you can find an accumulation of fat in the form of a white ball.

Gradually, the size of the formation can increase to 5-9 mm. Depending on the form of the disease, such papules can be single, giant, familial, etc.

The structure of the edges of the hyperplastic gland is soft, the color is pale yellow or pink.

Note: when pressing on them, the patient does not experience any unpleasant sensations, however, the formation is easy to injure, for example, when shaving, and it begins to bleed.

Reasons for development

It is still not possible to reliably name the reasons for the development of hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands. Most often, the disease is associated with hormonal imbalances in the human body. They can be triggered by various factors, for example, endocrine diseases or taking corticosteroid drugs. With an increase in the amount of androgenic hormones, more intense sebum secretion occurs. The same factor can provoke the proliferation of gland cells.

Important: the development of hyperplasia can also be caused by excessive secretion of sebum, provoked by intense insolation.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease is not difficult, since in some cases an examination by a dermatologist using a dermatoscope is sufficient. If superficial signs of hyperplasia are not sufficient, microscopic examination of tissue samples is required.

Histological examination allows us to examine the lobes of the sebaceous glands in biopathic samples. In most cases, no foreign cells indicating the development of a malignant tumor are detected.

In rare cases, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands is not an independent disease, but a sign of another pathology. So, the following diseases can be detected:

non-melanoma skin cancer;
Muir-Torre syndrome;
bowel cancer;
basal cell carcinoma.

Treatment methods and prognosis

Despite the fact that the prognosis for the disease in the absence of concomitant pathologies is very favorable, it must be treated. This is due to the possibility of the appearance of new lesions and the aesthetic component. Treatment of hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands on the face is especially important.

Important: with hyperplasia, the sebaceous glands do not degenerate into malignant tumors.

Surgical methods are predominantly used for treatment. Conservative approaches are not able to provide equally effective results, so they are used only when the patient does not want to undergo surgery or such interventions are contraindicated for health reasons.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of sebaceous gland hyperplasia is aimed at performing the following tasks:

reducing the amount of sebum secreted;
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect;
decrease in the level of androgenic hormones;
preventing blockage of sebaceous ducts;
preventing keratinization of the upper layer of the epidermis.

Tablets are used for systemic effects on the body, but local preparations in the form of gels and creams are much more important. Metrogyl, Differin and other retinoids are most often prescribed.

Removal

The optimal method of dealing with the problem is the complete removal of hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands. The following methods can be used for this:

Surgical removal. It is rarely used, as it is a traumatic method. Involves excision of the gland using a scalpel.
Laser. The laser pulse affects the desired depth and literally evaporates problem cells.
Electrocoagulation. The affected area is cauterized using a needle with electrodes attached to it.
Cryodestruction. The enlarged gland is frozen using liquid nitrogen.
Photodynamic therapy. The method is based on the mutual reaction of light and aminolevulinic acid.

Chemical removal. Various acids are used to dissolve the affected dermal cells.

Folk remedies

Treatment of hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands of the face with folk remedies is also used. The most popular recipes are the following:

Homemade sour cream mask. Mix sour cream, honey and salt. Use the resulting mass as a mask. Rinse off after 10-20 minutes.
Lotions with aloe juice. Place the aloe leaf in the refrigerator for 10-15 days in advance to allow it to ferment. Mix the juice of this plant with honey and flour. Apply the resulting cake to the sebaceous tubercles on the face or body.
Applying onions. A small onion should be cut in half and baked in the oven. Apply it to the problem area every day.

Important: traditional methods are not able to solve the problem as effectively as traditional medicine. In addition, they can provoke an allergic reaction.

To prevent extensive hyperplasia, do not delay visiting a dermatologist if skin problems occur. Also adhere to hygiene standards, eat right and eliminate bad habits for prevention purposes.