How To Identify Acne And Treat Them Correctly?

The most well-known enemy of almost all teenagers and of a good number of adults is acne. Acne is the frequently used name for pores blocked by sebum, known as whiteheads and blackheads, nodules, pimples or cysts that may appear on the face, shoulders, chest, neck, back, legs and arms. Most part of adults and teenagers suffer from acne for more or less extended period of time. The condition is not confined to any age group, race, or sex. It affects hundreds of millions of people across the world. The biggest problems with acne are the unpleasant look of pimples and the scars they may leave behind. Although pimples are by far the most common form of acne and the one most people are likely to encounter or suffer from, you should known that there are other forms as well. Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne which includes several types of pimples. These acne lesions include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. Lesions are small patches of skin affected by acne, although the term lesion is not restricted to the changes produced by acne in skin tissues. Acne lesions are the external form of comedones, the sebaceous follicles plugged by excess sebum. Comedones are known as blackheads and whiteheads, depending on whether the pore is open or not.

Blackhead – is a pore whose distended openings is partially blocked, allowing some of the keratin, sebum (oil) and bacteria to drain to the surface. Dirt not always causes the black color. It is a reaction of melanin (skin's pigment) with the oxygen in the air. Blackheads tend to have a constant structure, and it may take a pretty long time to clear. Blackheads is a no inflammatory comedonal form of acne that is treated with Topical tretinoin (retin-a) or Benzoyl peroxide.

Whitehead – is a closed pore filled with trapping sebum, bacteria, dead skin cells, causing a white look on the surface. These acne lesions sometimes seem to be easy popped. Make sure you know how to do that in a proper way before you try. Whiteheads is also a no inflammatory comedonal form of acne that is treated with Topical tretinoin (retin-a) or benzoyl peroxide.

Papules – is a small inflamed elevation, red, tender bumps with no pus. Very small papules can also appear in clusters, due to the tissue’s response to acne. Squeezing a papule is dangerous and may intensify scarring. Papules, few pustules is considered mild to moderate inflammatory form of acne which is treated with Topical tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide and/or topical antibiotic. If acne is resistant to above therapy, add oral antibiotic.

Pustules – are small inflamed elevations, look like whiteheads, and appear as red circles with yellow or white spot center. Pustules are usually formed around sebaceous follicles & hair. Make sure to know how to squeeze such a lesion correct. Pustules is considered moderate to severe inflammatory form of acne that is treated with Topical tretinoin; topical antibiotic or benzoyl peroxide and oral antibiotic.

Maculae – a macula is a red spot on the skin left behind by an acne lesion. Maculae are flat, red and stand out against the surrounding skin. A group of maculae gives the face an inflamed aspect.

Nodule – is a solid lesion, consists of acne spots which are the most painful lesions caused by acne and can sometimes last for months. Nodules tend to extend into the deeper layers of the skin and are known to lead to tissue destruction. Don’t try to pop such a lesion, otherwise you may cause severe trauma and the lesion may last for much longer time than it normally would. Nodules is a severe form of acne that is treated only with Isotretinonin (Accutane). Nodules is considered severe nodulocystic inflammatory form of acne that is treated with Topical tretinoin; benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotic; oral antibiotics; and consider Accutane (Isotretinoin) medication often prescribed for the treatment of extremely stubborn and severe cystic acne that has not responded to other treatment.

Cyst – is a lesion shaped like capsules and contains liquid or semi-liquid pus similar to that found in pustules. Crusts are much larger than pustules, having a diameter of 5 mm or more across. They can easily get infected and cause even more painful inflammation when squeezing them. Again, scarring is common with cystic acne. Nodulocystic acne is probably the most severe inflammatory form of acne known to human. Most part of dermatologists suggest isotretinoin, as the only effective treatment.