A Look Into The Acne Visual Dictionary

Acne Vulgaris

The medical name for common acne which is the presence of blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of pimples on the skin is acne vulgaris. The face, chest, shoulders, and back are the most common spots for breakouts. More severe forms should be treated by a dermatologist although, mild acne may improve with over-the-counter treatments. 

Comedones

A hair follicle that has become clogged with oil and dead skin cells is a comedo or basic acne lesion. Developing into bumps called whiteheads and blackheads are comedones the plural of comedo. Called comedogenic are the products that may trigger comedones. Less likely to clog pores and contribute to acne is makeup labelled noncomedogenic. 

Blackheads

Comedones that are open at the surface of the skin are blackheads. They come to be filled with excess oil as well as dead skin cells. The comedone doesn’t turn black because of the dirt. Resulting from the irregular reflection of light coming from clogged hair follicles is the black hue. With over-the-counter medications, blackheads can be frequently treated. 

Whiteheads

As experts state, these whiteheads are the comedones that stay closed at the surface of the skin. This is caused by the oil and skin cells preventing a clogged hair follicle from opening. Also effective against whiteheads are many of the same over-the-counter medicines that treat blackheads. 

Papules

Forming small red or pink bumps on the skin are papules called comedones that become inflamed. Sensitive to the touch is this type of pimple. Leading to scarring, picking, or squeezing can make the inflammation worse. Indicating moderate to severe acne is a large number of papules. 

Pustules

Another kind of inflamed pimple is pustules. Here they come resembling a whitehead along with a red ring around the bump. Typically filled with white or yellow pus is the bump. You need to avoid picking or squeezing pustules. Causing scars or dark spots to develop on the skin is picking. 

Nodules

Large, inflamed bumps that feel firm to the touch are nodules. Often painful they develop deep within the skin. Since they can scar, nodules should be treated by a dermatologist. Prescription drugs can be effective whereas over-the-counter treatments may not be powerful enough to clear them up. 

Cysts

Looking similar to boils, cysts are large pus-filled lesions. Cysts can be painful and should be treated by a dermatologist since they also can scar-like nodules. Usually considered to have a more severe form of acne are people who develop nodules and cysts. 

Mild Acne

If you have fewer than 20 whiteheads or blackheads, fewer than 15 inflamed bumps, or fewer than 30 total lesions, acne falls into the mild category. Usually treated with over-the-counter topical medicine is mild acne. To see a significant improvement, it may take up to eight weeks. 

Moderate Acne

In this discussion, the acne is considered moderate if you have 20 to 100 whiteheads or blackheads, 15 to 50 inflamed bumps, or 30 to 125 total lesions. For moderate to severe acne dermatologists usually recommend prescription medication. To notice improvement it may take several weeks and before it gets better, your acne may appear to get worse. 

Severe Nodulocystic Acne

Having multiple inflamed cysts and nodules are people with severe nodulocystic acne. Turning deep red or purple is the acne. Often it leaves scars. Minimising scarring is prompt treatment by a dermatologist. To reduce the size and painful inflammation, in some cases the doctor may inject corticosteroids directly into nodule and cysts. 

Acne Conglobata

One of the most severe forms of acne is acne conglobate. It is found to be coming as many inflamed nodules that are therefore connected under the skin to other nodules. It affects the neck, chest, arm as well as buttocks. Often leaving scars is this. It is mostly found to be common in men whereas it may be caused by taking steroids or testosterone. It is essential to get timely treatment from a dermatologist. 

Acne Mechanica

It comes to be caused by heat, friction, as well as pressure against the skin, often the result of wearing sports gear such as a helmet or baseball cap is acne mechanica. As it occurs frequently in athletes, it is sometimes called sports-induced acne. You can resort to the preventive measures that include wearing absorbent material under sports equipment as well as showering immediately after activity. 

Topical Therapy

Similar to gels or creams, topical therapy is an acne medication that is applied directly to the skin. Often helping mild acne are the over-the-counter topical products. Including ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulphur are most of them. Treating mild to moderately severe acne is a prescription product such as antimicrobial or retinoid creams. It is possible that they come prescribed alone as well as in combination with other ingredients. 

To Conclude About Systemic Therapy

Referring to acne medication that is taken by mouth is a systemic therapy. Treating moderate to severe acne by targeting bacteria and reducing inflammation are antibiotics like tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin. Also, other systemic therapies come to be included as oral contraceptives, thereby reducing acne in some women, spironolactone an antiandrogen hormone pill as also isotretinoin which is a high dose prescription vitamin A. In cases where other treatments don’t work, isotretinoin is used only in certain severe cystic acne cases. Requiring regular appointments with your dermatologist is a course of isotretinoin treatment.