What are the types of acne?
14 Types of Acne
Acne symptoms There are several forms of acne that can range from mild to severe. It can be
found on various parts of the body. Mild acne can be self-treated, but severe
cases are best treated by a dermatologist or health professional. Types of acne The most
common type of acne is “common acne,” such as Acne Vulgaris. This type of
acne includes your typical whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, nodules
and cysts.
Blackheads:
Blackheads, or comedones, occur in pores that are partially blocked. Sebum,
dead cells and bacteria will slowly drain to the surface of the poor and then the
black color is caused by the skin pigment being exposed to air. These often take
a long time to clear up.
Whiteheads:
Whiteheads are comedones as well, but they are somewhat different than
blackheads. These are caused by pores that are completely blocked and stuck
under the surface of the skin.
Papules:
Papules are small red bumps on your skin. These tend to be very tender and
cause irritation. These may cause scarring, so try not to touch or squeeze these.
Pustules:
These red bumps are what we know as pimples or zits. They appear as a red
circle with a white or yellow center.
Nodules:
Nodules are much larger than other forms of acne. These are hard lumps that
appear beneath the surface of the skin, which can be very painful and last for a
great deal of time. This type of acne is very vulnerable to scarring and it is
advisable to have them treated by a dermatologist.
Cysts:
These are very similar to nodules, except that they are filled with pus. These are
often painful and may scar if left untreated. These should also be treated by a
dermatologist.
Acne Conglobata:
This is a relatively rare form of acne vulgaris. It can be disfiguring and cause
severe suffering both psychologically and physically. These are often very large
lesions that form on your face, chest, buttocks, back, upper arms and thighs. It is
also accompanied by blackheads. This often causes damage and permanent
scarring. This is often a condition that appears more in men than in women.
This condition is known to persist for several years.
Acne Fulminans:
This is often the sudden appearance of Acne Conglobata and is accompanied by
a fever and achy joints. This is usually treated with oral steroids.
Gram-Negative Folliculitis:
This condition can be caused by long-term treatment of acne with antibiotics and
is a bacterial infection, which causes cysts and pustules.
Pyoderma Faciale:
This is a type of acne that affects females between the ages of 20 and 40. This
can cause very painful pustules, nodules and cysts. They appear on the face
and leave a permanent scarring. This often occurs in women who have never
experienced acne before and often clears up in about a year.
Acne Rosacea:
This type of acne tends to appear in people who are over the age of 30. This is a
red rash that appears on cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. There may also be
pimples and other blemishes. This tends to occur more in women than in men.
When men do breakout with it, it tends to be more severe. This is much different
than Acne Vulgaris and requires a different treatment.
Baby Acne:
Baby acne often manifests itself as white bumps that appear on the baby’s body.
This is really nothing to worry about and it is very natural. Baby acne is traced
back to the hormones that pass through the placenta to the baby. The condition
may also develop several days or weeks after birth. When the baby receives the
surge of hormones right before birth, they often develop baby acne.
This condition can be soothed with a mild soap and lukewarm water once per
day. Do not use lotions or oils as it may aggravate the skin. You also want to
avoid excessive cleansing and scrubbing. Baby acne is not caused by dirt or
debris so scrubbing doesn’t help.
Acne Dysmorphia:
This is not technically a physical condition caused by acne, but it is a mental
condition. This can be a very debilitating illness that may show up with someone
who has a preoccupation with deformity. In this situation the person is totally
preoccupied with acne. They believe that their acne is horrible and that their skin
is awful, when in actuality it may not be all that bad. They are often preoccupied
by checking themselves in a mirror and obsessively checking on their skin flaws.
Billions of people have acne outbreaks, but these people are unable to deal with
it. In fact, this disorder has nothing to do with acne. This disorder is also related
to anorexia nervosa. In anorexia, weight is a trigger; in acne dysmorphia, acne is
a trigger. These people are obsessed with their skin and it is not unusual for this
type of person to continuously look in the mirror and obsess about their skin.
Acne dysmorphia has been successfully treated with serotonin reuptake
inhibitors as well as hypnosis. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a psychological
treatment for depression related disorders. Group therapy sessions with people
who suffer from similar problems have allowed people to relieve themselves from
the obsession that they suffer from. People with this condition have also been
treated with antidepressants and other medications.
Scalp Folliculitis:
Scalp folliculitis is when the pores on your scalp become clogged. This condition
has a variety of names, but it is simply scalp acne. Scalp acne can affect
anybody of any age. This type of acne is limited to just the scalp either. In fact, it
can show up anywhere hair follicles are located including:
· Armpits
· Arms
· Leg
· Face
These are small pustules that are of a whitish-yellow color. Hair will often grow
straight through these pustules. When you pick at them, they may ooze with
sebum and bloodstained pus. The hair may also grow right next to the area, but
the pustule is still in the hair follicle. This condition tends to be somewhat itchy
and people find it hard not to touch them. The pustules can be located anywhere
on the scalp, but often only affects a small area.
This problem is formed the same way that acne is formed. This acne involves a
bacterium that becomes trapped in the hair follicle. P. acnes is often the culprit in
this problem. Staphylococcus bacterium is also known to cause this condition.
Staphylococcus bacterium is known to cause other problems such as eye and
nose infections.
Some people may develop scalp folliculitis when they sit in hot tubs or other
warm and moist locations that are not chlorinated. The temperature softens the
scalp and allows the hair follicles to be more susceptible to bacteria and
infection. Ingrown hairs also cause it, as they are the perfect breeding grown for
this bacterium. Other causes include:
· Diabetes
· Excessive sweating
· Tight clothing
· Unsanitary conditions
· Exposure to both heat and humidity
· Dermatitis
· Eczema
· Flu and colds
Scalp folliculitis is contagious and can be passed from one person to another.
People need to be certain to use clean towels. Don’t share items such as:
· Towels
· Brushes
· Combs
· Hair Accessories
· Pillow cases
If scalp folliculitis is a persistent problem, be sure to visit a doctor. They will help
you to determine if the infection is caused by a bacteria or fungus, which is
another factor that can cause this condition. They will help you find an
appropriate treatment plan as well. Many doctors will prescribe an over the
counter cream that is applied to the area daily. These treatments may be
Bacitracin, Neomycin and Mycitracin. These are applied three to four times per
day.
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