Types Of Acne

Acne Types And Characteristics

 

When you think of acne, pimples and zits are what often come to mind. Acne starts when trapped oil and dead cells block your pore ducts and mix with bacteria. But the fact is, acne can come in many different forms even though they all start the same way. Here’s a look at the different types of acne.

NON INFLAMMATORY ACNE

• Closed comedo – they form when the pore is completely blocked with sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. The blocked follicle usually stays beneath the skin surface and will usually appear on the surface of the skin as small whitish bumps. This is commonly known as white heads because it can be inflamed with a white center.

• Open comedo – these form when a partially blocked pore pushes through the skin’s surface. They’re known as black heads because of the dark color. This isn’t due to dirt but is a result of melanin (skin pigment) reacting with oxygen.

INFLAMMATORY ACNE

• Papule – this is the mildest form of inflammatory acne. A papule will appear on the skin as a small, firm pink bump. Papules don’t have a head and don’t contain any pus. They are considered an intermediary step between non inflammatory and inflammatory acne.

• Postule – postules are small round bumps that are similar to white heads but the difference is that they are clearly inflamed and contain pus. They appear red at the bas and can have a whitish or yellowish center. Postules don’t contain much bacteria. The inflammation is caused by chemical irritation from sebum components like fatty free acids.
• Nodule – nodules are much larger, deeply seated acne spots which can be quite painful. They lie under the skin’s surface and can sometimes last for months. If you develop nodules, it’s best to seek medical attention.
• Cysts – cysts can look similar to nodules, but the main difference is that they’re filled with pus and are 5mm in diameter or bigger. These are formed when a comedo spills it’s contents over the surrounding skin and the immune system responds by producing pus. Also seek medical attention for this type of acne.
• RARE AND SEVERE TYPES OF ACNEThere are many other types of acnethat most people won’t have to experience. This is a good thing because the symptoms can be quite extreme. These are acne conglobata, acne fulminans, pyoderma faciale and gram-negative folliculitus. Since these are uncommon forms of acne, rather than discuss them here, you should not hesitate to seek medical advice if you are suffering from these extreme conditions.Knowing about the different acne types and characteristics can greatly benefit you in your search for an acne cure. It’s important to understand what these types of acne mean. That way, you will have better chances of finding successful treatment methods.