Different Types of Acne

There are so many types of what is commonly called Acne…

…..do you know what they all are? Get the full story below.

Acne comes in varying forms from a mild condition to the very severe and can establish itself on different parts of the body.

The mild form of acne is usually easy to self treat but the more severe cases are best left to health professionals like dermatologists.

As most people get acne at some time in their lives it is best to have some basic knowledge of what lies ahead so here is a brief overview for you of the many different types.

Acne Vulgaris – This is the most frequent type of acne and it literally means 'common acne.' It can cause blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules, nodules and cysts.

Acne Rosacea – Usually it only affects people over the age of thirty and causes a red rash on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. Also there can be pimples and other skin blemishes. It generally occurs more often in females than males, although men often show more severe symptoms. It is a different form of the problem from Acne Vulgaris so requires an alternative treatment.

Acne Conglobata – This one is a relatively rare form of acne vulgaris and be warned, it is extremely disfiguring often causing severe psychological as well as physical suffering. Large lesions form on the face, chest, back, buttocks, upper arms, and thighs and can be accompanied by numerous blackheads. It causes quite severe damage to the skin and permanent scarring can result. It is generally more common in males than females, and unfortunately, the condition can persevere for several years.

Acne Fulminans – A nasty one - it is a sudden appearance of Acne Conglobata accompanied by a fever and aching of the joints. Treatment is normally done with oral steroids.

Blackheads – Something most of us are familiar with and they occur in partially blocked pores. Sebum, the substance that causes your skin to be oily, dead cells, and bacteria are slowly draining to the surface of the skin and the black color is caused by the pigments in the skin being exposed to the air. Blackheads can take quite a long time to clear up.

Whiteheads – These little nasties are different from blackheads in that they are contained under the surface of the skin. They are caused by completely blocked pores which trap the dead cells, sebum and bacteria.

Pustules – We have all seen these - pustules are what most people generally refer to as pimples or zits. Firstly they appear on the face as a reddish circle with a nasty looking white or yellow center.

Papules – Seen as small red bumps on the skin being tender and causing irritation. Just remember here that it is very important not to touch or squeeze them as this may cause long term facial scarring.

Nodules – This type is much larger than the other forms of acne. You will find them as hard lumps under the surface of the skin which can be quite painful and last for several months. Nodules are particularly vulnerable to scarring, so the best advice here is to have them treated by a dermatologist.

Cysts - Similar to nodules but the difference is they are filled with pus. Painful and likely to scar if left untreated or squeezed. The treatment is the same as with nodules – see your dermatologist as soon as possible.

Gram-Negative Folliculitis – This is a condition that can sometimes be caused by the long-term treatment of acne with antibiotics. It is known to be a bacterial infection causing pustules and cysts.

Pyoderma Faciale – A type of acne which only affects females who are usually aged between twenty and forty. The symptoms are large and painful pustules, nodules and cysts on the face and in some cases can leave permanent scarring. Characteristically it generally occurs in women who have not had acne before and fortunately it usually clears up within a year with the correct treatment.

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So there you have it – over a dozen different instances and how they affect Acne.