Many people notice that they get
different types of pimples but don’t realise that there are actually four
distinct types of acne. Starting from small red blotches through to full blown
acne breakouts there are a number of differences in both the symptoms and
causes of the different types of acne.
Papules are the most minor form of
acne and are characterised by small red lesions on the skin surface that are
about the size of a fingernail. These occur when the hair follicle wall
breaks, which allows bacteria to escape into the dermis. The breaks are often
caused by oil and debris blocking the pores. Numerous skin conditions such as
eczema and dermatitis also increase the likelihood of someone getting papules.
Overtime these often develop into pustules.
Pustules are the standard and most
common pimples people experience. They are red and inflamed spots with white
heads that can be sometimes filled with pus. Papules turn into pustules when
white blood cells (the good guys of the immune system) come into the papule to
fight the infection. Like papules, pustules develop when bacteria, oil or a
build-up of dead cells clog the pores of the skin.
Nodules are quite different to
pustules; they are large inflamed lesions that generally occur deep within the
skin. Nodules develop when a follicle wall raptures and then infects the
adjoining follicles. When enough infected follicles join together they create
the lump that we can see on the surface of the skin. The causes of nodules are
varied and can include over-functioning hormones, abnormal bunching of cells,
mineral deficiencies or family histories of nodules.
Cysts are the most severe form of
acne and tend to be very large inflamed lesions with soft fluid filled lumps
underneath. In similar fashion to nodules cysts begin with a break in follicle
wall, however they are different in that they develop a membrane around the
infection. As the cyst works towards the surface it tends to destroy the
follicle and damages the healthy skin tissue, which can cause scaring.
The causes of cysts are similar to nodules.
It is important to understand the
distinctions between the varied forms of acne because the causes are diverse
and treatments they require can be vastly different.
Want to learn about the best ways to
treat your acne breakouts? Check out our Acne
Survival Guide HERE!
Tags: acne breakouts treatment, how to stop breakouts, prevent acne
breakouts
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