Acne Does Not Equal Zits
There are various types of acne, named according to how or why the acne developed. Some of the types 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 (also known as ‘puberty spots’). In this article, 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’ (from Wikipedia).
Acne is most common in Western teenagers, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there could be a genetic weakness to it. It is possible that it could be an abnormal reaction to fairly average levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring problem. It usually affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot does not constitute acne.
Acne vulgaris manifests itself in different many forms, including: whiteheads, caused by pores which are completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the top; blackheads, caused by 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 bumps 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 usually last for a long time; blackheads can 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 frequently cause scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could cause them to last for months longer.
A ‘cyst’ may appear like a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been defined as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst can cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation which will last very much longer than if it had not been squeezed. Skin experts have methods of reducing the swelling and preventing scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is a myth that acne sufferers are not careful about washing.
Indeed, it is a little-known fact that, over washing can irritate acne. There are many, many false ‘cures’ in the shops and many, many old wives’ remedies. However, any honest skin expert would tell you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the sufferer should follow a strict regimen of cleaning until the acne just ‘goes away’ of its own accord.
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