Author: Bim Nubibr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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Acne is usually known as pimples or zits. It is affects almost everyone. Most people experience acne at the start of their teenage years and it may continue till their 40s. It is not life threatening but it is so unflattering. It can occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne can be severe and if not treated properly can lead to serious and permanent scarring.
Acne usually occurs in different forms for a lot of people. For some people, they experience mild acne either in size or quantity while for some other people this is not the case. They are literally attacked by acne of large proportion and quantity that it makes it impossible for them to venture out of their house. They miss out of so many things because they feel so unattractive and are practically depressed by the sight of other people who are their age mate (or not!)that have clear and smooth skin. It is said that acne is not life threatening but it can cause emotional trauma for some people.
Acne can be effectively prevented and treated. To do that you have to know all about acne to be able to treat it effectively. Acne manifests in different ways and there are different acne treatments for the different types. This article is written to help you to be able to identify the different types of acne that you may observe. This would help you obtain the best acne treatment for the acne that you have identified that you have as this is essential in fighting acne.
Acne is usually classified as either Inflammatory or Non-inflammatory. Acne begins with a basic lesion known as a comedo. The comedo is an enlarged hair follicle that is plugged with oil and bacteria. It usually lurks beneath the surface of your skin waiting for the right conditions before it appears as the inflamed lesion that you hate.
Inflammatory acne consists of two types:
1. Closed Comedo: This is also known as whitehead. It is a sebaceous follicle that is plugged with sebum, dead cells from inside the sebaceous follicle and bacteria that stays below the surface of the skin.
2. Open Comedo: This is just like the closed comedo but in its case the plugged follicle enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin. It is also known as blackhead due to its dark appearance which is as a result of a buildup of melanin and not dirt contrary to some peoples belief.
It is important that you note that you MUST not squeeze or pick open either a closed or open comedo unless it is done by a dermatologist under sterile conditions.
Non-inflammatory acne consists of four types:
1. Papule: This is the mildest form of inflammatory acne, it appears on the skin as a small (5 millimetres or less), firm pink bump. It can be tender to touch and it has a sandpaper feel when you touch a group of very small papules and microcomedones.
2. Pustule: This is a dome-shaped like fragile lesion (a lesion is a physical change in body tissue caused by an injury or a disease. It may be internal or external e.g. acne) that contains pus which is a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells and bacteria. It is usually small like the papules. It forms over a sebaceous follicle that has a hair in the centre; its inflammation is generally caused by chemical irritation from sebum components like fatty free acids. Pustules that heal without progressing to a cyst usually leave no scars.
3. Nodule or Cyst: A NODULE is a solid, dome-shaped or irregularly shaped lesion that is characterized by swelling. It extends into deeper layers of the skin, is painful and leaves scars. It may persist for weeks or months. A CYST however is a sac like lesion that usually contains liquid or semi-liquid material that is made up of white blood cells, dead cells and bacteria. It is larger than a pustule, extends into the deep layers of the skin, may be painful, inflamed and can leave scars.
Nodules and cysts can occur together and may require treatment with isotretinion. However you need to see your dermatologist to prescribe the acne treatment that would be suitable for you.
4. Acne conglobata: It is a rare but serious form of inflammatory acne that develops primarily on the back, buttocks (or butt) and chest. There may be severe bacterial infection when it is present.
I sincerely hope that this article helps you identify the acne that you have and helps you find the most appropriate treatment so that you can have that acne free skin that you desire.
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