Acne Does Not Equal Zits
There are several different types of acne, depending on how or why the acne developed. Some of the forms 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 (better known as 'puberty spots'). We will take a closer look at acne vulgaris.
Acne vulgaris can be described 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' (see article on "Acne" in Wikipedia).
Acne is most usually found in white Western teenagers, although it is to be found in every country in the world, so there could be a genetic weakness to it. It is possible that it may be an exceptional reaction to fairly normal levels of testosterone. For most afflicted, the condition lasts only until the age of twenty or so, probably only a few years or at the most ten. For other people, however, it may be a life-long problem. It most often appears on the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris manifests itself in different many forms, including: whiteheads, resulting from pores which are completely 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 a result of 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 lumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and appear as 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 call spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful type of pustule and can sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard lumps just under the skin's surface. They often cause scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could cause them to last for months longer.
A 'cyst' can look similar to a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been described 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 ways of reducing the swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is just not true that acne sufferers are not meticulous about their hygiene.
In fact, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many fake 'treatments' on the market and many, many old wives' tales. However, any good dermatologist would advise you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient should follow a deliberate regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'goes away' of its own accord. - 17273
Acne vulgaris can be described 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' (see article on "Acne" in Wikipedia).
Acne is most usually found in white Western teenagers, although it is to be found in every country in the world, so there could be a genetic weakness to it. It is possible that it may be an exceptional reaction to fairly normal levels of testosterone. For most afflicted, the condition lasts only until the age of twenty or so, probably only a few years or at the most ten. For other people, however, it may be a life-long problem. It most often appears on the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris manifests itself in different many forms, including: whiteheads, resulting from pores which are completely 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 a result of 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 lumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and appear as 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 call spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful type of pustule and can sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard lumps just under the skin's surface. They often cause scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could cause them to last for months longer.
A 'cyst' can look similar to a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been described 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 ways of reducing the swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is just not true that acne sufferers are not meticulous about their hygiene.
In fact, over washing can exacerbate acne. There are many, many fake 'treatments' on the market and many, many old wives' tales. However, any good dermatologist would advise you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient should follow a deliberate regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'goes away' of its own accord. - 17273
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