The Breakdown on Types of Acne

Acne is actually a condition that comes in many varieties. The most common kind of acne is acne vulgaris. This type of acne is what drives teenagers crazy when they are just about to go on that big date or to the school dance. This type of acne is most commonly found in people with oily skin. There are three sub-types of acne vulgaris — non-inflammatory lesions; i.e., blackheads and

whiteheads; inflammatory lesions that include red bumps of various sizes and anything that could be considered squeezable; and secondary lesions that are the ones that have been picked, recently healed pimples or scars.

Comedonal acne are whiteheads or blackheads that do not become inflamed. They are usually on the chin or forehead. This acne can worsen with high humidity, hormone fluctuations or the use of certain products on the face. Infantile acne is just what it sounds like, acne that only affects babies. It usually goes away in the first few months after the baby is born. Acne in pregnancy is also not unusual and has its own symptoms. A woman will often get a fairly bad outbreak in the first trimester but as the pregnancy continues and the hormone changes abate, it clears up. A pregnant woman should not use any kind of treatment until after her baby is born.

Acne conglobata is a form of acne vulgaris, but it is worse in its symptoms. This one is more common in males with the outbreak often being on the chest and back, with some on the face. Acne fulminans is actually an even more severe form of acne conglobata. Not only does it begin all of a sudden but it affects other things as well as the normal kind of pimple outbreak. With this a person will frequently have a fever, aching joints, weight loss due to a diminished appetite, and even a raised white blood count. This type of acne, more prevalent in males, can actually make a person ill.

There is also acne mediamentosa that is caused by a reaction to medications. These are usually medications that are hormone based like anabolic steroids or occasionally oral contraceptives for women. Oddly these very same contraceptives are sometimes prescribed to help women suffering bad acne outbreaks.

The last one is acne excori. It is more common in women and is the aftermath of pimples, whiteheads or blackheads that have been picked. Even after these have healed there are still sores, scars and marks. The best treatment for this problem is to completely stop picking the pimples.