There are several 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 (also known as 'puberty spots'). In this article, we will concentrate on acne vulgaris.
Acne vulgaris may be defined 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 white Western teenagers, although it is to be found 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 fairly average levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until the age of twenty or so, probably only a few years or at the most ten. For other people, however, it can be a life-long affliction. It usually appears on the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris appears in various forms, which include: whiteheads, caused by pores that are totally blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, resulting in a white spot 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 caused by 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 bumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and appear as 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 call spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is characterized by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful sort of pustule and can often last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps just under the skin's surface. They frequently result in scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could cause them to last for months longer.
A 'cyst' may look similar to a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been defined as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst can cause a more severe infection and more acute inflammation which may last quite a lot longer than if it had not been squeezed. Skin experts have methods of reducing the swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is just a myth that acne sufferers are not careful about washing.
Indeed, it is a little-known fact that, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many fake 'cures' in the shops and many, many old wives' tales. However, any good skin expert would advise you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient has to follow a strict regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'disappears' of its own accord.
Acne vulgaris may be defined 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 white Western teenagers, although it is to be found 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 fairly average levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until the age of twenty or so, probably only a few years or at the most ten. For other people, however, it can be a life-long affliction. It usually appears on the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris appears in various forms, which include: whiteheads, caused by pores that are totally blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, resulting in a white spot 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 caused by 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 bumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and appear as 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 call spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is characterized by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful sort of pustule and can often last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps just under the skin's surface. They frequently result in scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could cause them to last for months longer.
A 'cyst' may look similar to a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been defined as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst can cause a more severe infection and more acute inflammation which may last quite a lot longer than if it had not been squeezed. Skin experts have methods of reducing the swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is just a myth that acne sufferers are not careful about washing.
Indeed, it is a little-known fact that, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many fake 'cures' in the shops and many, many old wives' tales. However, any good skin expert would advise you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient has to follow a strict regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'disappears' of its own accord.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on several topics, but is at present involved with Acne Treatment During Pregnancy. If you are interested in acne, please go over to our web site now at Treating Acne Scars
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