Types of Acne
There are many types of acne. Below is a brief description of most varieties. Please consult your local dermatologist if you feel you need treatment.
Mild to Moderate Types of Acne
Whiteheads: Whiteheads are formed when a pore is fully blocked, trapping oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Resist popping the whitehead. Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads. View a whitehead on our "What Causes Acne" page.
Blackheads: Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked. Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are flat, darkened spots that form when pores become clogged with a mixture of sebum (or oil) and dead skin cells. Their dark appearance is caused by the densely packed skin cells, which take on a dark color.View a blackhead on our "What Causes Acne" page.
Papules: A small, solid, elevated skin lesion less than 0.5 cm in diameter. The top of the papule can be flat, pointed, or rounded. Papules are common lesions in acne. Do not try to pop as it will cause scarring
Pustules: Pustules are usually larger than your standard whiteheads and papules. These are usually red and inflamed pus-filled spots.
Nodules: Large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin. They are much larger than papules and pustules and are further under skin and a much harder lump. Do not try to remove nodules by squeezing or popping.
Cysts: Cysts can be confused with nodules, but are pus-filled and can be inflamed as well as quite painful. The inflammation can be dormant for long periods but often must be surgically removed.
Acne Rosacea: A chronic dermatitis of the face, especially of the nose and cheeks, characterized by a red or rosy coloration, caused by dilation of capillaries, and the appearance of acne-like pimples.
Unlike acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teenagers. It occurs most often in adults (ages 30 to 50), especially those with fair skin, and affects both sexes but tends to be more common in women but worse in men. Unlike acne, there are no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea.
Another complication of advanced rosacea affects the eyes. About half of all people with rosacea feel burning and grittiness of the eyes (conjunctivitis). If this is not treated, the complications of what is called rosacea keratitis may impair vision.
More Severe Types of Acne
Acne conglobata: Severe acne characterized by small abscesses. Deep ulcers may form under the nodules, leading to scars. Abscesses commonly result in deep, irregular scarring.
Acne fulminans: The primary features of this disease include sudden onset, severe and often ulcerating acne, fever, polyarthritis, and failure to respond to antibacterial therapy; the response to debridement in combination with steroid therapy is good. Extreme scarring is common.
Gram-negative folliculitis: Gram-negative folliculitis, first described by Fulton et al in 1968, is an infection caused by gram-negative organisms. The infection, often characterized by pustules and cysts, may occur as a complication in patients with acne vulgaris and rosacea and usually develops in patients who have received systemic antibiotics for prolonged periods.
Pyoderma faciale: Pyoderma faciale is an unusual skin condition occurring in young adult women. Painful large pustules are accompanied by this type of sever acne and it can leave scarring. It can resemble severe acne or rosacea. It is confined to the face, and usually does not last longer than one year.