There are several different types of acne, depending on how or why the acne developed. Some of the types 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 (better known as 'puberty spots'). 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 often found in Western teens, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there could be a genetic weakness to it. It is possible that it may be an exceptional reaction to fairly normal levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring problem. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris appears in various ways, which include: whiteheads, resulting from pores that are totally blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, resulting in a white appearance 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 a result of 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 lumps with no head and pustules, which are like whiteheads, but are inflamed, and appear as red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not often last long; blackheads can last a long time and pustules are what people call spots. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful kind of pustule and can sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin's surface. They frequently result in scarring and should never be squeezed, which could cause them to last for months longer still.
A 'cyst' can appear like a nodule, but it is pus-filled, and has been described as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst may cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation which will last very much longer than if it had been left alone. Dermatologists have ways of lessening swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is a myth that acne sufferers are not meticulous about their hygiene.
In fact, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many useless 'cures' on the market and many, many old wives' remedies. However, any good skin expert would tell you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient has to follow a deliberate regimen of cleansing until the acne eventually 'goes away' of its own accord. - 30414
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 often found in Western teens, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there could be a genetic weakness to it. It is possible that it may be an exceptional reaction to fairly normal levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring problem. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris appears in various ways, which include: whiteheads, resulting from pores that are totally blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, resulting in a white appearance 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 a result of 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 lumps with no head and pustules, which are like whiteheads, but are inflamed, and appear as red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not often last long; blackheads can last a long time and pustules are what people call spots. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful kind of pustule and can sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin's surface. They frequently result in scarring and should never be squeezed, which could cause them to last for months longer still.
A 'cyst' can appear like a nodule, but it is pus-filled, and has been described as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst may cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation which will last very much longer than if it had been left alone. Dermatologists have ways of lessening swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is a myth that acne sufferers are not meticulous about their hygiene.
In fact, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many useless 'cures' on the market and many, many old wives' remedies. However, any good skin expert would tell you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient has to follow a deliberate regimen of cleansing until the acne eventually 'goes away' of its own accord. - 30414
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