Acne occurs when pores are blocked by dead cells, hairs, bacteria and substances made by the skin. Although acne can develop in people of any age, the American Academy of Dermatology reports this condition affects 85 percent of teens in the United States. Depending on the kind of acne, this condition causes several types of skin lesions that can appear anywhere on the body, but commonly show up on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders.
Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne although the exact cause is unknown. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne vulgaris affects 40 million to 50 million people in the United States.
This type of acne is characterized by different acne lesions such as blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones), papules (small elevated lesions), pustules (pus-filled lesions), nodules and cysts. Both nodules and cysts are painful lesions that extend deep into the skin and can cause scarring. Acne vulgaris is treated, depending on the severity of the lesions, with antibiotics, topical or oral acne medications, birth control pills and corticosteroid injections.
Acne Mechanica
Acne mechanica is caused or exacerbated by heat. Conditions contributing to this kind of acne include constant pressure on the skin, recurrent rubbing against the skin or having the skin covered by heavy backpacks or tight clothes. This type of acne is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules. Treatment of acne mechanica involves avoiding heat-causing irritants and the use of topical acne medications.
Infantile Acne
Infantile acne is seen in newborns and children up to 2 years of age, though it occurs more often in boys than girls. This type of rash-like acne typically occurs on the nose or cheeks and is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, papules and occasional pustules. This type of acne generally clears up without treatment in a few weeks, but a persistent case is treated by gently washing the face and applying topical acne medications.
Pomade Acne
This kind of acne is caused by the use of oily hair creams called pomades. It is more common on areas that are in contact with hair---the forehead, scalp and temples--- and is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and sometimes papules or pustules. Pomade acne is treated by stopping the use of pomade or applying the pomade at least 1 inch behind the hairline. This kind of acne is also treated by gently cleansing the skin and applying a topical acne medication.
Acne Conglobata
A severe and long-lasting form of acne vulgaris, acne conglobata, is more common in males than females and is characterized by deep abscesses, inflammation, severe skin damage and blackheads. Nodules can form around the blackheads and deep ulcers can form under the nodules leading to scarring. This kind of acne responds to a powerful oral acne medication called isotretinoin (Accutane), as well as antibiotics.
Acne Fulminans
Acne fulminans is a form of acne that appears suddenly and can occur in a person with unsuccessfully treated acne conglobata. This type of acne is characterized by a fever, severe acne, the formation of ulcerations under the acne and inflammation or aching of the joints. Inflammation associated with acne fulminans is treated with corticosteroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. This kind of acne is also treated with long-term isotretinoin treatment.
Nodulocystic Acne
Nodulocystic acne is characterized by single or widespread cysts that occur on the face, neck, scalp, back, chest and shoulders. The cysts can grow together causing areas of tunneled tissue destruction and inflammation under intact skin. This type of severe acne is treated with isotretinoin, antibiotics and corticosteroids. If the lesions don't show improvement with medications, more aggressive action such as draining the lesion or surgical removal is performed.
Member Comments