There are quite a few different types of acne, depending on how or why the acne developed. Some of the forms of acne are: acne conglobata (chronic boils); acne fulminans (an extreme form of conglobata); acne cosmetica (caused by cosmetics); acne keloidalis nuchae (from shaving); acne medicamentosa (caused by starting or stopping a medication); acne rosacea (redness on the face); baby acne; hormonal acne; cloracne and the common variety: acne vulgaris (better known as 'puberty spots'). We will concentrate on acne vulgaris.
Acne vulgaris could be (defined|described as: 'an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits' (according to Wikipedia).
Acne is most common in Western teens, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there may be a genetic predisposition to it. It is possible that it may be an exceptional reaction to quite normal levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring affliction. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris shows itself in different many forms, including: whiteheads, resulting from pores which are completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the top; blackheads, caused by pores which are only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface (the black colour is not a result of dirt, but is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, called melanin, with the oxygen in the air); papules, which are inflamed, red, tender lumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and look like red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not usually last for a long time; blackheads can last a long time and pustules are what people usually refer to as spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is characterized by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a rather larger and much more painful sort of pustule and may sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard lumps just under the skin. They frequently result in scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could make them last for months longer.
A 'cyst' can appear like a nodule, but it is pus-filled, and has been described as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst may cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation which will last very much longer than if it had been left alone. Dermatologists have ways of reducing swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is not true that acne sufferers are not careful about cleanliness.
In fact, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many useless 'treatments' on the market and many, many old wives' tales, but any good dermatologist would tell you that there is no known cure for acne and that the patient should follow a deliberate regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'goes away' of its own accord.
Acne vulgaris could be (defined|described as: 'an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits' (according to Wikipedia).
Acne is most common in Western teens, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there may be a genetic predisposition to it. It is possible that it may be an exceptional reaction to quite normal levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring affliction. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris shows itself in different many forms, including: whiteheads, resulting from pores which are completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the top; blackheads, caused by pores which are only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface (the black colour is not a result of dirt, but is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, called melanin, with the oxygen in the air); papules, which are inflamed, red, tender lumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and look like red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not usually last for a long time; blackheads can last a long time and pustules are what people usually refer to as spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is characterized by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a rather larger and much more painful sort of pustule and may sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard lumps just under the skin. They frequently result in scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could make them last for months longer.
A 'cyst' can appear like a nodule, but it is pus-filled, and has been described as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst may cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation which will last very much longer than if it had been left alone. Dermatologists have ways of reducing swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is not true that acne sufferers are not careful about cleanliness.
In fact, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many useless 'treatments' on the market and many, many old wives' tales, but any good dermatologist would tell you that there is no known cure for acne and that the patient should follow a deliberate regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'goes away' of its own accord.
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Are you experiencing problems treating acne and pimples? If you are or you would like to know more about acne, please go to our website entitled Treating Acne Scars
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