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Simply Put: What is Acne?

Acne:

A skin condition caused due to excess production of oil by the oil glands is termed as acne. The oil produced by oil glands generally has a function of lubrication of the skin. However, sometimes, the oil starts accumulating in the oil ducts resulting in pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads on the skin. Deeper skin lesions are termed as cysts.

The places on the skin that are most likely for the occurrence of acne are those that contain a large number of oil glands. For instance, per square inch of the forehead contains about 2,000 oil glands. Other areas where acne can occur are chest, face, back, and shoulders.

Types of Acne:

All the acne production starts in same manner but later takes different forms and reacts differently for different people. Following are the different types of acne seen in people:

1. Comedo:

Comedo is a sebaceous follicle containing dead cells from inside the sebaceous follicle, sebum, tiny hairs, and often bacteria. Blackhead is a common term for an open comedo because opening of the comedo has a black color appearance. A closed comedo is generally termed as a whitehead. The whitehead looks like a small-inflamed skin color bump.

The whitehead is different from the blackhead in its structure and color. People need not squeeze out or pick open the blackheads or whiteheads because the tissues might be hurt and might be infected by skin bacteria. Dermatologists can help with the removal process of blackheads and whiteheads under sterile conditions.

2. Papule:

A papule is a solid lesion, which is small and slightly elevated above the skin surface. Sometimes a group of microcomedones and very small papules are invisible with a sandpaper feel on the skin surface. The cause of papule is the localization of cellular reaction during the process of acne.

3. Pustule:

Pustule is a fragile lesion, which is dome-shaped and contains pus along with dead skin cells, white blood cells, and bacteria. A pustule, formed over a sebaceous follicle, contains a hair in the center. Generally, pustules do not leave a scar during the healing process, but may leave scar if they progress to form cysts.

4. Macule:

Macule is a red spot seen on the surface of skin after an acne lesion has healed. The red spot is temporary. Macules have a well-defined border and are flat. The color of macule ranges from red-pink to red. Macules may be there on the skin for many days or even weeks before they disappear. Sometimes, macules give an appearance of an inflamed face if present in large numbers.

5. Nodule:

Nodule is a type of acne that is similar to papule in appearance. Nodule is an irregular or dome-shaped, solid lesion. Nodule causes tissue destruction resulting in scarring, and inflammation. A nodule causes a lot of pain.

6. Cyst:

Cysts are sac-like lesions that contain semi-liquid or liquid substances consisting of dead cells, white blood cells, and bacteria. They may cause extreme inflammation and may be very painful. Cysts result in scarring of the skin. Nodules and cysts together are a severe form of acne and the condition is termed as nodulocystic.

Causes of Acne:

The major reasons causing acne are blockage of skin pores, inflammation, overactive oil glands, and activity of normal skin bacteria. Over activity of the oil glands causes excessive production of oil in the skin and the process is more prominent during the puberty phase. Inflammation causes swelling, discomfort, and redness of the skin. The normal bacteria grow in the oil trapped in the oil gland and alter the composition of oil causing lesions.

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