Acne and pimples are often used synonymously, but they are not the one and the same. The term acne is a broad classification of the entire skin disease, while pimples are one of the many symptoms of acne. To simplify matters a bit lets now take a look at the different categories of acne.
Primarily, there are two types non-inflammatory acne, and they are what we commonly call blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are tiny black dots found near the face, shoulders, and the back. They are formed when the skin pores become too big and the sebum clogs these large pores, causing a chemical reaction that turns the melanin black. Found in the same region as the blackheads, whiteheads are actually a sign that there’s a buildup of bacteria under the closed hair follicle. These are quite easy to get rid of with simple home remedies or OTC ointments like salicylic acid.
As you can guess, now we are getting into the details of those painful pimples which can, at times, even leave scars. All types of inflamed acne exhibit redness and swell up, but they can be further categorized into the following.
Pustules are filled with pus and occur when the cellular walls around the affected pores break down. One can identify them as red, swollen bumps with a yellow or white, hardened tip on top. They are the generally painful and sometimes itchy pimples we usually see on teenagers. They can leave temporary scars, especially when touched too often or scratched.
Therefore, it is advised that at the first signs of papules acne or any other type of acne, you should seek medical advice and a reliable daily source of helpful information like Healthy Skin Solutions to stay updated about keeping the skin clean, healthy and spot free.
Papules do not generally contain pus, but they too are formed when the cellular walls around the affected pores break down due to heavy inflammation in the area. These clogged pores are hard in texture and may become painful and tender, with the skin around the papule becoming reddish or more commonly, pinkish.
Cystic acne develops as a result of pores being clogged by sebum, dead skin and bacterial growth at the same time. These cystic growths have deep roots below the skin, they leave scars and are the hardest to get rid of. On the outside, they swell up into huge, painful growths that appear red or white. In emergency situations, a surgical removal might be necessary, but in most cases, isotretinoin is found to be effective.
Nodules are not as bad as cysts, but they are closer to a cyst than papules or pustules. In fact, they look and feel just like cystic acne, with the only difference being that the roots of a nodule are usually not as deep as that of a cyst and are, therefore, easier to get rid of.
Although acne bothers millions of teenagers, young adults, and sometimes even older adults all across the globe, it isn’t considered to be a particularly serious skin disorder, excluding some exceptional cases, of course. Nevertheless, it’s an issue that can leave both physical and psychological scars on people’s lives and affect social perception and confidence in a negative way.
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