Acne is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world and approximately 80 percent of people are affected by it between the onset of puberty and 30 years of age. Fortunately, it is not a serious health condition, but some forms of acne are more severe than others. Let’s see what are the different types of acne and what you can use to treat them:
This occurs when excess oil and dead skin cells clog your pores. We can distinguish two types of comedonal acne:
Also known as whiteheads, they happen when a layer of skin forms over the gunk and creates a flesh-colored bump. This is a fairly mild form of acne but seems to develop at the worst times. The good news is that you can prevent whiteheads with a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatments.
One of the main causes of blocked pores is hormonal changes. The increased sebum production is the reason why you get closed comedones. Popping them may be tempting, but it could make your situation even worse.
Whiteheads are relatively easy to treat. Some of the options include:
Also called blackheads, they occur when the gunk in your pores get exposed to air, causing it to oxidize and turn black. So, contrary to popular belief, you don’t get closed comedones because of dirt but for the same reason, you get whiteheads.
Blackheads can be treated using several effective ingredients:
Inflamed acne consists of redness, swelling, and pores that are deeply clogged with naturally occurring bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells. There are two types of inflammatory acne:
These are red bumps full of a yellowish fluid called pus. They show up when your body is trying to fight off an infection with white blood cells.
Your doctor may recommend the following to treat pustules:
These are red bumps that don’t form a head and look just like a bump. Most papules become pustules in a matter of days. While tempting, do not pop pustules because by doing so, you risk spreading the bacteria further.
Several nonprescription as well as stronger medications are available to treat papules:
This is the most severe form of all types of acne and is characterized by multiple inflamed and uninflamed nodules. It affects the face, chest, and back, and is more common in males. It takes on two forms as well:
Nodules are found under the skin, they never form ahead, but tend to be painful. Nodular acne involves bacteria called p. acne, which is naturally present on the skin of most individuals. However, the bacteria only triggers acne when it meets favorable dermatophysiological terrain.
Over-the-counter acne products usually don’t work for this type of acne. Your doctor may recommend the following:
Cysts look very similar to pustules but are larger and sometimes itchy. They also tend to be the most painful of all acne types. Cystic acne tends to occur in people with oily skin and often improves with age. Unfortunately, the painful bumps won’t go away on their own.
The treatment options for cystic acne are the same as those for nodular acne. Your doctor may prescribe a powerful pharmaceutical drug called spironolactone. Although its main use is to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, it can be successfully used as an acne treatment too.
The psychosocial effects of acne can seriously affect a patient’s life. If you’re dealing with acne, know that you are not alone and there are numerous options available that can help you reduce your skin lesions or even get rid of them completely. Always see a doctor or dermatologist to receive proper treatment for your type of acne, especially if you are suffering from nodular or cystic acne.