Acne is a condition that is very familiar to most teens and even some adults. Different types of acne still have some things in common. They all begin with some sort of lesion, as well as a plugged up hair follicle that is full of dirt, oil, bacteria and debris. If you want to be able to treat those annoying attacks of acne, then it is a good idea to be able to identify the kind of acne you have.
Here are some examples of the most common of the different types of acne:
Blackheads
Blackheads are one of the most common of the different types of acne. They come from an overproduction of oils in your skin. When a blemish pushes through the skin to the surface it exposes the oil in it to the air and this makes it turn black due to the melanin in the skin. Some people may think the black is dirt, but they would be incorrect. They are caused also by someone not keeping their skin clean enough and allowing the accumulation of dirt, dead skin cells and debris along with the excess oil. It also may be caused by changes in humidity, pollution, or using oil-based cosmetics.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are another of the common examples of the different types of acne. They look like tiny little white bumps under your skin. They can also be caused when your skin’s pores get clogged with oil or sebrum. Since they aren’t exposed to the air like a blackhead, they stay white in color.
Pustules
Pustules are little, round blemishes that are red with either a yellow or a white center. The colored center is full of pus and bacteria. They are inflammed and while not sore, they should not be popped. If you pop a pusule, you might end up with a nasty scar. See your skin doctor for a treatment plan.
Papules
Another of the different types of acne is papules, which look like tiny, hard bumps shaped like a cone. They are normally pink and inflamed. They are painful if you touch them, but don’t have pus in them like pustules. They also should not be popped or it could cause scars.
Nodules and Cysts
Another of the different types of acne is nodules and cysts. Nodules are an extremely painful kind of acne. They are also very inflamed, firm blemished that are found deep down into the skin. A cyst on the other hand, is very soft and is full of pus, and also is found deep inside the skin. They occur when the pus in a whitehead or blackhead gets into the area and aggravates the body’s immune system.
The bad thing about these different types of acne is that nodules can remain for months and end up turning into a deeply embedded cyst. If that occurs, they turn into one of the very serious of the different kinds of acne. You can get both nodules and cysts together, or separate. Both must be treated by a skin doctor.
Back Acne
Back acne is when someone gets a breakout of acne onto their back. It is something that can appear when someone is going through puberty. Sometimes it is outgrown and goes away by the time someone hits their 20s. It can cause severe inflammation. It can happen due to clogged skin pores and trapped sweat and oil. If you wear a lot of tight clothing, it can contribute to you developing back acne. Back acne can be either treated at home through the use of over the counter medications or by your skin doctor.
Conclusion
All in all, there are many different types of acne. Some is mild and some is severe and can cause horrible scarring. Learning which of these you have will help you in your fight against the breakouts correctly and efficiently. Whatever kind of acne you may have, it’s best to get a checkup at a dermatologist to develop the best course of treatment. Some kinds will be treatable with over the counter medications while others require a course of oral antibiotics or other prescription medications.
