The Many Forms of Acne

There are many varieties of acne from mild to severe with different characteristics. Acne blemishes form when a hair follicle is clogged and a comedo is formed. As the comedo enlarges the surrounding skin becomes inflamed creating what we call a pimple.

The most typical type of acne is "Acne Vulgaris" having the literal meaning of common acne. This form of acne can result in whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, cysts and nodules.

Non-inflammatory acne often takes the form of a closed comedo (trapped sebum, dead cells and bacteria). This occurs when the plugged hair follicle stays beneath the surface of the skin, and appears on the skin as a small whiteish bump or whitehead.

Blackheads are an inflamatory form which occur when an open comedo has enlarged and pushed through to the surface. The dark color is due to the presence of the pigment melanin.

The mildest type of inflamatory acne is the papule appearing as a firm red bump on the skin surface. These blemishes can be tender and irritated.

Pustules, unlike papules, contain pus and are inflamed. This is what is typically called a pimple or "zit", a round red lesion with a white or yellow center.

Nodular or cystic acne are a larger and more severe form that can be painful. Nodules form when the contents of a comedo spill into the surrounding tissue, the immune system reacts and pus is formed. This type of acne lesion can persist for weeks or months and is quite likely to scar. Treatment by a dermatologist is highly recommended.

A rare inflamatory form is Acne Conglobata which forms large lesions primarily on the bck buttocks and chest. Pustules and nodules are characteristic and serious infection can occur. It may last for years and is more common in males. It can be very disfiguring and result in severe physcological and physical suffering.

Acne Fulminans - The sudden onset of Acne Conglobata accompanied by fever and sore joints. Treatment includes oral steroids.

Young women from 20 to 40 who have never had breakouts may develop Pyoderma Faciale which causes large painful nodules on the face. Typically lasting less than a year it may leave scarring.

Gram-Negative Folliculitis is caused by long term treatment of acne with antibiotics.

A relatively mild form called acne cosmetica is caused by use of irritating cosmetic products. Small pink blemishes appear on the chin, cheek and forehead. Identifying and eliminating the offending product will solve this type of acne.

Acne Rosacea causes a rash on the face and usually effects females over 30. It can however occur in men and be more severe. Different from other forms of acne the treatment needs to be specific.

Milder types of acne can be self treated adequately but the more severe forms should be seen and treated by a dermatologist.