Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Oily Skin and Oily Hair
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
People with oily skin and hair have an oily sheen to their skin or hair, sometimes within minutes of washing.
What is going on in the body?
Androgens, or male hormones, control the production of oil by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Higher relative levels of androgens can make the skin more oily. For example, this can occur during puberty and when taking performance-enhancing steroids. Some people have oilier skin because they have larger numbers of oil glands that produce more oil.
What are the causes and risks of the symptom?
Oily skin and hair are caused by an excess of androgens. The amount of oil in a person's hair and skin varies, depending on:
Symptoms & Signs
What other signs and symptoms are associated with this symptom?
People with oily skin and hair generally notice that their skin and hair take on an oily sheen within minutes or hours of washing.
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the symptom diagnosed?
A person can generally diagnose oily skin and hair by its appearance.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the symptom?
Many times, oily skin and hair cannot be prevented. The condition is often part of puberty and goes away when the person becomes an adult and hormone levels change. Recommended ways to reduce the amount of oil on the skin and hair include the following:
What are the long-term effects of the symptom?
There are no serious long-term effects, although oily skin may be associated with acne.
What are the risks to others?
Oily skin and hair are not contagious and pose no risk to others.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the symptom?
Oily skin and hair are treated with the same measures that are used for prevention, including daily shampoos and frequent facial cleansing. Birth control pills, or oral contraceptives, may be helpful for some women in reducing the amount of oil produced.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Oral contraceptives may cause nausea, stomach cramps, vaginal itching and discharge, and breast tenderness.
What happens after treatment for the symptom?
For many people who are affected, stopping an effective treatment causes the symptoms to return. Others, such as adolescents, may outgrow the condition. Treatment is not required and can be stopped at any time. Affected people are free to engage in normal activities before, during, and after treatment.
How is the symptom monitored?
Affected people can monitor their skin and hair to assess whether or not treatment is working. A healthcare provider can also monitor the appearance of the hair and skin if treatment is prescribed. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:Lynn West, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:02/28/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:07/27/01