What Are The Different Types Of Acne

A normal person can get affected by many different kinds of acne and these can affect the skin and leave permanent marks or scars on the same. Hence it is vital that you understand the different kinds of acne for diagnosing them and treating them. Basically the acne is like a small red dot but can also range to a large pus-filled cyst. Hence acne has many forms and these have been often interrelated, which means that they develop from one form to another. Also there is acne which may be completely independent in origin.

Studies show that acne develops when the hair follicle of skin gets plugged. This can be done because of overproduction of sebum or dead cells, which become infected by bacteria. This results in swelling, redness and pain at the site of infection and thus leads to acne. Basically all different forms of acne are defined primarily by its size. Another differentiation here is the fact, if this acne are “inflammatory" or “non-inflammatory." Usually acne starts with the smallest type of lesion, called a microcomedo.

This microcomedo is so small that it can not be seen without a microscope and thus, it is the beginning of acne formation. Depending on the growth of this microcomedo, the development of the acne is determined. The acne can develop in to an open comedo or blackheads and it may also lead to closed comedo or whiteheads. Basically the comedonal acne infects the forehead and the chin and it can get worse due to hormonal changes. The conditions like humid weather and oily cosmetics including sun-screens and petro-jelly based moisturizers are causes for the same.

There is a more serious formation called pustules and nodules which affect the skin and are causes of acne. The pustules are defined as the yellowish, pus-filled bumps and the nodules are larger and firm, which lead to inflamed swellings below the skin. Another aspect of acne is papules that can be defined somewhere between inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. These papules, or typical pimples, usually have mild inflammation and there are no required pus formations here.

Nodules are the most severe form of acne and have been commonly called cysts. Usually these cysts are pus-filled and sac-like formation and are termed as the worst infection which spreads under the skin. This leads to the adjoining tissue around the primary infection site and they contain very amounts of pus and runs deep in the skin. They are also the most commonly occurring forms of acne, which can get worse by the pinching or squeezing of small pus-filled acne.

As the pus bursts deep into the skin tissue it triggers a body mechanism where white blood cells are sent to the infected site to fight off bacteria. Hence this leads to swelling, which also causes deep rooted inflammation and pain in the skin along with scars. Hence you should make sure that you keep your hands off your acne-infected skin.

Acne Vulgaris is a common form of acne and comprises of both whiteheads and blackheads. Acne Rosacea on the other hand is characterized by flushing of the face and red nose caused by inflamed bumps.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 06/06/2009, 9:59 PM
• 0 Comments