Types Of Acne Pimples

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:32:08 +0000

Acne can form several types of skin blemish, each with a distinct appearance and symptoms.
Most minor acne blemishes respond to at-home care and over-the-counter medications. However, people with severe or long-term acne should speak with a doctor or dermatologist.

Acne affects around 80 percent of adolescents and young adults. About 40–50 million Americans have acne at any given time.

The following are common types of blemish associated with acne:

whiteheads
blackheads
pustules, which are commonly called pimples
papules
cysts
nodules
Each type of acne lesion requires a different treatment. Receiving prompt, correct treatment can reduce the risk of long-term skin complications, such as dark spots and scarring.

Acne blemishes fall into two categories, depending on whether or not they cause inflammation of the surrounding skin.

Whiteheads
Whiteheads
Blackheads
blackheads are pockets of oxidized melanin on the surface of the skin
Papules
Papules
Pustules (pimples)
Pustules (pimples)
Nodules
Nodules
Cysts
pus in a cyst
1of6
Noninflammatory acne types
Whiteheads and blackheads are types of noninflammatory acne lesion. They are the least severe forms of acne.

Noninflammatory blemishes usually do not cause swelling and are not very painful.

Whiteheads

The medical term for whiteheads is closed comedones. These are small, whitish or flesh-colored spots or bumps. They usually have a white, circular center surrounded by a red halo.

A hair will sometimes emerge from the center of a whitehead, or it may appear to be trapped within the blemish.

The skin around a whitehead may appear to be tight or wrinkled, especially when the whitehead is large or especially raised.

ADVERTISEMENT
Approved NSCLC Treatment - HCP Info & Resources
Request A Rep & Discover A Therapy For Stage III NSCLC.
www.stage-iii-nsclc-therapy.com

Whiteheads typically do not cause scarring.

Blackheads

Blackheads are also called open comedones. They are small, black or dark-colored spots that may appear as slightly raised bumps.

The skin around a blackhead usually appears normal, while the center of the blackhead is darker than the surrounding area.

The coloration is not a result of trapped dirt. Blackheads are simply whiteheads that have opened and widened. When the contents of a whitehead are exposed to air, they darken.

Treatment options

Many over-the-counter rinses, moisturizers, gels, toners, and creams can treat noninflammatory acne blemishes. They often contain a mix of active ingredients.

The following ingredients in over-the-counter treatments can help to break down whiteheads and blackheads:

benzoyl peroxide
salicylic acid
sulfur
resorcinol
Also, several home remedies and lifestyle changes can help to reduce most minor-to-mild forms of noninflammatory acne. It may help to try:

washing the face with lukewarm water and soap twice daily
washing the whole body every 2 days
reducing stress
eating a healthful, balanced diet
staying hydrated
avoiding over-washing or irritating the skin
limiting exposure to the sun
always wearing sunscreen when outdoors
People should never pop acne blemishes. Doing so can lead to complications, such as:

nodules
cysts
scarring
dark spots
pitting
Inflammatory acne types
Inflammatory acne blemishes include:

papules
pustules
nodules
cysts
Inflammatory acne is more severe than noninflammatory acne, and this type is more likely to cause complications, such as scarring or pitting.

Blemishes or lesions that are inflamed, or red, swollen, and warm to the touch can result from inflammatory acne.

Minor-to-mild forms
Papules

Papules are bumps under the skin's surface. They are solid, tender, pink, and raised, and the skin around a papule is usually slightly swollen and red.

Unlike whiteheads, papules have no visible center. Unlike blackheads, the pores of a papule do not appear to be widened.

Papules develop when whiteheads or blackheads cause so much irritation that they damage some of the surrounding skin. The damage leads to inflammation.

Pustules (pimples)

Pustules are larger, tender bumps with a defined circular center. The center is filled with whitish or yellowish pus, and the bump has a pink or red base. Immune cells and bacterial cells collect to form this pus.

Pustules typically look like much larger and more inflamed whiteheads.

Treatment options

Several home remedies and over-the-counter medications can treat minor-to-mild papules and pustules. The following tips can help:

washing the affected area with cool water and soap using clean hands or a clean, gentle facecloth twice a day
applying a warm compress or cloth to the affected area for 10–15 minutes to encourage trapped debris to rise to the surface
using products with benzoyl peroxide to combat bacteria
using products with salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and other debris
How do you prevent pimples?
How do you prevent pimples?
How can you prevent pimples from forming? Learn 15 methods of prevention here, including home remedies, lifestyle changes, and diet tips.
READ NOW
Moderate-to-severe forms
Nodules

Nodules are hard, painful, inflamed lumps located deep within the skin. They look like larger, deeper papules and have no visible center or head.

This type of acne lesion develops when clogged pores damage tissues and cells deep beneath the skin's surface.

Nodules are a severe form of acne blemish, and they can cause skin complications such as dark spots or scarring.

Cysts

Cysts are very large, soft, painful, red or white lumps situated deep in the skin. They are filled with pus.

Cysts form deeper within the skin than nodules, and they are the most severe type of acne blemish. Cysts can also cause skin complications, such as scarring.

Treatment options

People cannot treat moderate-to-severe inflammatory blemishes at home. These lesions require care from a doctor or dermatologist.

The doctor can use many products and procedures to treat nodules and cysts. These include:

antibiotics, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, and amoxicillin
topical corticosteroids
oral contraceptives for hormonal-related acne
systematic retinoids, such as isotretinoin
steroid injections
chemical peels
photodynamic therapy to combat bacteria
drainage and extraction to remove large cysts
What causes acne?
young woman with forehead acne
When a pore becomes clogged, acne can develop.
Normally, dead cells collect in the skin's pores, then slowly rise to the surface of the openings and eventually fall away from the skin.

A natural body oil called sebum helps to prevent skin cells from drying out. The glands that produce this oil are attached to the pores.

When excess sebum builds up, it can cause dead cells to stick together, forming a mixture that becomes trapped in the pores.

Acne occurs when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells, natural body oils, and a type of bacteria.

These bacteria live on the skin and are called Propionibacterium acnes. If they enter and infect clogged pores, this causes acne blemishes to form.

When to see a doctor
In cases of minor-to-moderate acne, a person will generally have to use home and over-the-counter remedies consistently for 4–8 weeks before they see results.

More severe inflammatory types of acne tend to take much longer to clear up.

Speak to a doctor or dermatologist if whiteheads, blackheads, papules, or pustules:

are severe
do not respond to over-the-counter medications
are very painful
are very large
bleed a lot
release a lot of pus
cover a significant portion of the face or body
cause emotional distress
develop very close to sensitive areas, such as the eyes or lips
Most active ingredients in over-the-counter products are available in prescription-strength treatments.

Dermatologists can also remove lesions that are very large or persistent. They can also remove those that do not respond to other forms of treatment.

Always see a doctor or dermatologist about nodules and cysts, because these require medical care.

Untreated nodules and cysts and those that have been picked or popped can cause scarring.