Types of Acne

Previously published in Examiner

Montrealers who have serious acne can get an referral from their family doctor for a dermatologist in their area, or they choose to visit a private clinic and pay for the services rendered.

Noninflammatory lesions

When hair follicles get clogged with dirt, debris, bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil secretions, they form what are called comedones or what we call in everyday language, whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads are closed at the skin level. They are also skin colored . When the pimples or comedones are opened at the skin level they are black at the surface lending to the name blackhead. These comedones are flat, not raised and are not considered to be pimples.

Acne can be what is commonly known as whiteheads or blackheads. These lesions do not have m. When they are raised and inflamed they are no longer blackheads and whiteheads, they are pimples.

Inflammatory lesions

When the lesions are raised and full of pus they are inflamed or infected. This is when they are commonly called pimples. The actual term for these legions are pustules. They usually have are red and tender.

However, if no pus is present at the tip, but they are still raised, tender and inflamed, they are called papules.

Nodules

Nodule lessions are different because they grow under the skin. The large lumps are filled with oil buildup in the hair follicles. They are as painful as they are large.

Cysts

Just like papulas and pustules are different nodules and cysts are different. Cysts are painful lumps filled with pus which grow under the skin and the sad part is they can cause permanent scarring.

When to see a dermatologist

Normally acne is not that serious and most teenagers grow out of that stage without too much harm done. However, in some cases the acne is so severe that it will cause permanent scarring or there is so much of it that the teenager is ashamed to go outside or even go to school. This would be a good time to consult a dermatologist to see what can be done as treatment to cure and prevent future outbreaks.

Sources:

Mayoclinic