Sukanya Mohanty

Fuzia's Writer




Acne has plagued all our lives at some point in time. Once we hit puberty, with the number of hormonal changes in our bodies we have surely faced some bad bouts of acne. But as we grow older, we have understood that there are different types of acne. Sometimes, we tend to confuse pimples with acne, but it is important to know that these are two very different things. 


What is acne?

 When the hair follicles under our skin become clogged with oil and dead skin cells we often face an outbreak of lesions, which is called acne. Acne outbreaks don't need to occur on the face, it can also appear on the back, shoulders, and chest. Acne frequently occurs between the time an individual hits puberty to around the early forties. If acne persists beyond that age, it can be said that the individual suffers from a skin problem. 


Types of acne & how to deal with them. 


There are 6 types of acne: 


1) Pustules- This type of acne is a bulging bump with a white center and red inflamed skin around it. Usually, it’s found in clusters on the face, back, and chest.  There are two main reasons behind pustules mainly hormonal changes and bacterial infections. The difference between papules and pustules is that pustules contain a yellowish fluid known as pus. 


The best kind of treatment for this kind of acne is over the counter prescriptions as per your doctor’s instructions. There is also a possibility that your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the bacteria-filled pus. 


2) Cysts- This is the most severe form of acne. This is caused when the infection has spread deep into the skin, which causes an outbreak of large inflamed, pus filled cysts. Cysts are softer nodules that can easily burst. When they do pop, they spread the infection further. 


This is a difficult form of acne to treat. Many dermatologists prescribed medication for the treatment of cyst acne. They recommend isotretinoin, topical creams, antibiotics, and sometimes even birth control pill. Spironolactone which is like birth control, helps reduce the androgen levels in the body which is used to treat acne in women. 

3) Nodules- This type of acne is skin-colored or even red bums that are deep under the surface of the skin. Nodular acne is caused by an acne bacteria. C.acnes bacteria cause a painful infection deep within the skin pores leading to the painful bumps. 


The treatment plan for this type of acne is through the help of dermatologists. They may prescribe benzoyl peroxide, salicylic, antibiotics, or even retinoids.


4) Whiteheads- This type of acne is one of the most common forms. It is caused because of clogged or closed pores. The pores of the skin tend to clog due to oil production or hormonal changes. Since the length of the pore is closed, it causes a little white bump on top of the skin.


Whitehead treatment is with the help of over the counter medication. Topical retinoids are used to treat non-inflammatory acne. Benzoyl peroxide is also used to treat this form of acne.


5) Papules- This type of acne does not contain pus-filled growths. Papules are caused when excess oil or skin cells of the pore mix with bacteria and block the pore. Cutibacterium acnes or C. acnes is the bacteria that is present. The contents of the blocked pore spill out which allows the bacteria to spread. 


Your doctor might recommend antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading further. The other treatment remains the same, topical retinoid and benzoyl peroxide. 


6) Blackheads- Unlike whiteheads, blackheads are extremely visible because they are black on the skin's surface. In a blackhead, the head of the pore remains open, but the rest of the pore is clogged. Many try to squeeze out the blackhead which can cause scarring.


The treatment for blackheads is the same as that for whiteheads. Though some the use of pore strips is not recommended and a temporary fix. 



As you can tell, the treatment plan for the different types of acne is almost the same. But it is always recommended to consult a doctor before one takes any form of medication. Another way to prevent acne is regular hydration and washing of the face with a mild face wash. You should also maintain a healthy and balanced diet filled with both fruits and vegetables!



Tags: Acne, Acne types, Acne treatment, Black heads, whit heads, treatment 


Caption: Acne is a common occurrence in all of our lives, but with a little information you can help prevent it from occurring.


Author: Sukanya Mohanty 


Image source: Google Images 

skin care
healthy skin
Acne

Comments

  • Jack Doe

A one-stop platform for all your wellness needs. Connect with doctors and expert practitioners, explore self-help resources, and join a thriving wellness community.

Get Started

You May Also Like...

...
by Sukanya Mohanty

The hardest part of following our diet is maintaining it during the celebration. Don't worry! We are here to give you some healthy eating tips even during the celebration!

...
by Sukanya Mohanty

Tobacco takes away a lot from you. From breath to life. It's time to stop and say no to tobacco.

...
by Sukanya Mohanty

Are you having trouble making your baby fall asleep? Well, here we are at the rescue to solve it and dissolve it. Keep reading.

...
by Sukanya Mohanty

We are hurt and we need help - together as a human race, let’s get aware of self-injury and work on collective healing.

...
by Sukanya Mohanty

Hobbies, they say, are important. But WHY? Let’s dig into it.

QUESTIONS

Reach out to us for any thoughts...