Acne is a common disorders of the skin It is scientifically known as acne vulgaris. Acne affects mostly adolescents, who at this stage of their lives experience a lot of changes in their bodies. Some of the normal changes associated with puberty may result in the development of acne. Acne is characterized by the appearance of inflammations on the following parts of the body: the face, the neck, the chest, the back, and shoulders. Acne could appear in many forms. This has led to various classifications of the condition. Some of these are as follows.
Inflamed acne
Inflamed acne is the type of acne which is characterized with inflammations and redness on the skin. There a many types of inflamed acne. Here are some of them.
Papules
These are inflamed red lesions on the surface of the skin. There no pus or whiteheads in them. They develop from breaks in the follicle walls that allow bacteria and debris to gather in the skin. Papules should not be squeezed. They usually heal on their own.
Pustules or sebaceous cysts
These are simple inflamed red pimples with whiteheads. They can vary in size; some pustules are small in size while others are quite large. Sometimes there could be a brownish core seen on top of pustules. Pustules may develop from papules that have been invaded by white blood cells. The whiteheads in pustules are substances that are discharged when they break. Pustules also develop when papules are squeezed. Ordinary papules can be treated at home with cleansers and benzoyl peroxide. But in cases where there are lots of them on the skin, a dermatologist should be consulted for appropriate prescriptions.
Nodules
These are very large inflamed lesions that occur deep in the dermis. They are hard and painful lumps that could be felt under the skin. The difference between nodules and papules is that nodules are deep in the skin. Nodules result from damaged follicle walls deep in the skin. Nodules are very severe type acne and may develop into large scars if squeezed. It is not recommended that you treat nodules at home. You should seek professional advice when you develop nodules.
Non-inflamed acne
This type of acne is not red; it is also not painful. They appear as uneven or rough skin. Some types of non-inflamed acne are not easily seen on the skin. They are only felt. Some common types are as follows.
Soft closed comedones
These are some sort of bumpiness on the skin. They don’t cause any pain. They develop from trapped oil and debris in the pores which are covered by dead skin. Getting rid of excess oil on the skin can easily check this type of acne.
Hard closed comedones
These are like soft closed comedones but the only difference is that they are hard. They feel like sand. They develop when dead cells and sebum are mix up and harden. They are usually expelled on their own. But in certain cases a dermatologist may have to come in.
Open comedones
These are also known as black heads. They appear as dark-brown colorings on the surface of the skin. They are dead cells and sebaceous matter that have accumulated in the follicles but are exposed to air which gives them their color. They can be treated by gentle and consistent cleansing.