Types of Acne

Types of Acne 

  Acne Vulgaris  

Acne vulgaris is another name for common acne. This is the

type of acne that mainly affects adolescents but may persist

and become more severe as one reaches adulthood.

Mild to Moderate acne vulgaris is characterized by the

following lesions:

Whiteheads 

Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked,

trapping sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a

white appearance on the surface. Whiteheads have a shorter

life span than blackheads.

Blackheads 

Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked,

allowing some of the trapped sebum, bacteria, and dead skin

cells to slowly drain to the surface. The dark color associated

with its appearance is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is a

reaction of the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the

oxygen in the air. As a whitehead has a short life cycle, a

blackhead is a firmer structure, and can often take a long

time to clear.

Papules  

Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head.

Pustules  

A pustule is similar to a whitehead, but is inflamed, and

appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center. (This is

what is commonly called a “zit.”)

Severe acne vulgaris can be distinguished by the presence of

nodules and cysts:

Nodules  

As opposed to the lesions mentioned above, nodular acne

consists of acne spots which are much larger, can be quite

painful and can sometimes last for months. Nodules are

large, hard bumps under the skin's surface. Scarring is

common. Absolutely do not attempt to squeeze such a lesion.

You may cause severe trauma to the skin and the lesion may

last for months longer than it normally would have left 

untouched. 

Cysts  

An acne cyst is often similar in appearance to a nodule, but it 

is pus-filled, and has been described as having a diameter of 

2 inches or more across and is often very painful. Again, 

scarring is common with cystic acne. Squeezing an acne cyst 

may cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation 

which will last much longer than if you had left it alone.  

  Adult Acne  

Adult acne is a form of acne vulgaris that can affect adults 

over 30 years of age. Those who had no problems with acne 

as a teenager have found that they are having breakouts. But 

because acne is normally associated with the hormonal 

fluctuations that occur during puberty, its appearance in an 

adult should be investigated to determine the underlying 

causes--especially if it appears for the first time in adulthood.  

The following are at least three reasons why acne appears 

after 30 years of age: 

 Often the acne that one had as an adolescent 

resurfaces later in adulthood. It is not always clear why 

this happens, but it is one reason for its presence in 

adults.  

 In women, acne often reappears during pregnancy 

where there had been no activity for months, if not 

years. This could also be true in the case of woman 

during their menstrual period.  

 Thirdly, acne can appear in adults for the first time who 

have never had it before. Now with this third reason, it 

might be more obvious that something unusual is going 

on and it might be wise to talk to a dermatologist or at 

least your family physician. 

With some reasons established, we can now mention some 

of the possible causes of adult acne: 

 Medication

. As has been stated previously, some 

medications can induce acne. Anabolic steroids, anti-

epileptic medications, anti-tuberculosis drugs rifampin 

and isoniazid, lithium and medications that contain 

iodine.  Chronic physical pressure on the skin. Whether 

chaffing from wearing a helmet or carrying a backpack, 

such pressure against the skin can lead breakouts. 

(See acne mechanica) 

 Chlorinated industrial chemicals.

 Working in certain 

types of industrial environments can cause acne-like 

symptoms or even chloracne, an occupational skin 

disorder caused by prolonged exposure to chemicals 

like chlorinated dioxins.  

 Metabolic changes.

 With changes in the body’s 

hormonal balance, such as those present during 

pregnancy or menstruation can produce acne in adults. 

Rosacea 

Though often misdiagnosed as acne, rosacea is, in fact, not 

acne. Rosacea affects thousands of people in the U.S. alone, 

mostly those over the age of 30. It generally appears as a red 

rash confined to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. This 

redness is often accompanied by bumps, pimples, and skin 

blemishes--the reason it is so commonly mistaken for acne. 

Further, this redness is also linked to the fact that blood 

vessels may become more visible on the skin. Rosacea has 

been shown to be more prevalent in women than in men, but 

often if found in men it tends to be more severe. If you are 

seeking treatment and you think it may actually be rosacea, 

you need to be aware that the treatments differ quite a bit 

from those used in the care of acne vulgaris. 

  Acne Mechanica 

This form of acne is caused by external mechanical forces 

like constant pressure, constant and repeated friction, 

covered skin, and heat.  For those involved in sports, in the 

military or in high-activity jobs, this is nothing new as the 

condition is common with many athletes and in professions 

where factors like tight-fitting, even restrictive clothing is worn 

for extended periods of time. These sort of jobs may include 

certain kinds of factory work where an employee may be 

busy with repetitive tasks that may irritate the skin and lead to 

break outs.  

For soldiers who must wear uniforms much of the time and 

may be carrying backpacks with straps that bite into the skin 

and cause friction with each step or straps on weapons that 

can also rub again the body this can become a real issue.

Pomade Acne 

When hairstyles change, it is not uncommon for teenagers 

and young adults to adopt new styles. But, sometimes a new 

style requires the use of a thick, oily hair cosmetic called 

pomade. Pomade is generally used when a hairstyle requires

that curly hair be straightened or hair be molded into various 

shapes.  

One of the undesired effects of pomade use may be pomade 

acne. Pomade acne occurs on the scalp, forehead, and 

temples where pomade comes into contact with the skin.  

Most, if not all, pomades fall into the category of 

comedogenic – or pore clogging - cosmetics. The heavy oils 

used in pomades can clog skin, setting the stage for the 

formation of comedones. In addition, some of the other 

chemicals in pomades may irritate the skin, contributing to 

inflammation. 

  Excoriated Acne 

The term excoriated means to scratch or abrade the skin. 

Now when we bring this term into the context of acne we 

have what is called excoriated acne. This type of acne is defined by the behavior of the person suffering from it. When 

such a person obsessively picks and scrapes at every pimple 

and blemish on their skin, they are said to have excoriated 

acne. Because of the excessive nature of the attention given 

to the sufferer’s skin, deep irritation can result as well as 

scarring.  

Though it may appear to others as a mild form of acne, 

without pustules or nodules, to the person dealing with it, this 

condition may be intolerable. This almost psychological urge 

to get rid of one’s skin lesions or blemish can become very 

damaging. As such, it is recommended that a dermatologist 

be sought for treatment.  

 prescription form of benzoyl peroxide for infants) helps both 

the current situation and prevents scarring. If this does not 

help, then a dermatologist may need to be consulted. 

Things to note: 

 Family History.

 Genetics might be a factor in the  development of acne in the infant. Do the child’s 

parents or siblings have acne or did they have it in the 

past? 

 Early hormone production.

 It may be that the infant has  a condition that causes early production of sex 

hormones--especially androgen which is linked to acne. 

If this is the case, then medical help should be sought 

to avoid problems with the child’s development. 

 Growth and developmental abnormalities.

 Acne at such  an early stage in the child’s life could indicate 

developmental problems that might not show up until 

later. A pediatrician should be consulted to find out if 

this might be a possibility. 

 Drug-induced acne or acneiform eruption.

 It could be  that the child has been exposed to certain medications 

that can cause acne or acneiform lesions. Examples of 

  Infantile Acne 

This form of acne occurs in newborns and is concentrated on 

the nose and cheeks. It is caused by the hormonal changes 

that have occurred will the fetus was developing in the womb. 

Typically, the acne clears up in matter of weeks without 

treatment.  

However, infantile acne has a serious aspect that must be 

considered. If simple cleansing with mild soap and water will 

not clear the acne up then a mild topical agent (such as a such drugs include corticosteroids and those that 

contain iodine.