Various Forms of Acne

Posted by admin on May 11, 2010 in Acne Information | 5 comments

Various Forms of Acne

The most important thing that you need to know about acne is that, it has got various forms. Once you know about the forms, it helps you in fighting acne easily. Acne can be broadly categorized into two classes, which are: Inflammatory Acne and Non-Inflammatory Acne. Do you know that all acne problems have one basic root? An elaborated hair follicle named comedo that cannot be seen with the naked eyes, lies beneath the surface of the skin. It is stuffed with oil and bacteria. As the production of oil increases, the bacteria that is held within comedo grows. When the white blood cells attack these bacteria, the surrounding skin becomes red due to inflammation, resulting in acne.

Types of Inflammatory Acne

There are four types of Inflammatory Acne, which are as follows:

• Acne conglobata: Apart from nodules and pustules, this rare type of acne can result in massive bacterial infection. It takes place mostly on the chest, back, and buttocks of a person.
• Papule: This type of acne is mild that results in a small pinkish hump on the skin of a person.
• Nodule or Cyst: It deeply affects the skin. They are pus-filled and can leave marks behind. This problem can continue for a few weeks or months even. They are large in size and are sometimes quite painful.
• Pustules: They are small but are pus-filled and may be a bit reddish at the base with a whitish or yellowish center. They are round in shape and do not have much bacteria in them. These fatty free acids result in inflammation.

Types of Non-Inflammatory Acne

Non-Inflammatory Acne has two types, which are:

• Open comedo or blackhead: An enlarged plug forcibly coming out of the skin is known as an open comedo or blackhead. The buildup of melanin results in the dark color of the plug.

• Closed comedo or whitehead: Acne is called a closed comedo or whitehead when the blocked follicle lurks below the skin surface. As they appear on the skin they are visible as small humps that are a bit whitish.

Now, it will be easier for you to get rid of acne!