Acne Does Not Equal Zits
There are various kinds of acne, named according to how or why the acne arose. Some of the types of acne are: acne conglobata (chronic boils); acne fulminans (an extreme form of conglobata); acne cosmetica (caused by cosmetics); acne keloidalis nuchae (from shaving); acne medicamentosa (caused by starting or stopping a medication); acne rosacea (redness on the face); baby acne; hormonal acne; cloracne and the common variety, acne vulgaris (also known as 'puberty spots'). In this article, we will take a closer look at acne vulgaris.
Acne vulgaris may be defined as: 'an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits' (from Wikipedia).
Acne is most common in Western teens, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there may be a genetic predisposition to it. It is possible that it may be an abnormal reaction to quite normal levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring affliction. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot does not constitute acne.
Acne vulgaris appears in various forms, which include: whiteheads, caused by pores that are totally blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white spot on the top; blackheads, resulting from pores which are only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface (the black colour is not caused by dirt, but is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, called melanin, with the oxygen in the air); papules, which are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head and pustules, which are like whiteheads, but are inflamed, and look like red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not often last for a long time; blackheads do last a long time and pustules are what people usually refer to as spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a rather larger and much more painful type of pustule and may sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps just under the skin. They often cause scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could make them last for months longer.
A 'cyst' can look like a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been defined as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst can cause a more severe infection and more acute inflammation which may last quite a bit longer than if it had not been squeezed. Skin experts have methods of lessening the swelling and avoiding scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is just not true that acne sufferers are not meticulous about washing.
Indeed, it is a little-known fact that, excessive washing can irritate acne. There are many, many fake 'treatments' in the shops and many, many old wives' remedies. However, any honest dermatologist would advise you that there is no sure-fire cure for acne and that the sufferer should follow a deliberate regimen of cleaning until the acne just 'disappears' on its own. - 17268
Acne vulgaris may be defined as: 'an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits' (from Wikipedia).
Acne is most common in Western teens, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there may be a genetic predisposition to it. It is possible that it may be an abnormal reaction to quite normal levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring affliction. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot does not constitute acne.
Acne vulgaris appears in various forms, which include: whiteheads, caused by pores that are totally blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white spot on the top; blackheads, resulting from pores which are only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface (the black colour is not caused by dirt, but is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, called melanin, with the oxygen in the air); papules, which are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head and pustules, which are like whiteheads, but are inflamed, and look like red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not often last for a long time; blackheads do last a long time and pustules are what people usually refer to as spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a rather larger and much more painful type of pustule and may sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps just under the skin. They often cause scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could make them last for months longer.
A 'cyst' can look like a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been defined as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst can cause a more severe infection and more acute inflammation which may last quite a bit longer than if it had not been squeezed. Skin experts have methods of lessening the swelling and avoiding scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is just not true that acne sufferers are not meticulous about washing.
Indeed, it is a little-known fact that, excessive washing can irritate acne. There are many, many fake 'treatments' in the shops and many, many old wives' remedies. However, any honest dermatologist would advise you that there is no sure-fire cure for acne and that the sufferer should follow a deliberate regimen of cleaning until the acne just 'disappears' on its own. - 17268
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