Acne is the most common skin problem in the United States. About 40 million to 50 million people in the India. have it. It often appears as an outbreak of pimples on your face. But it can also show up on your chest, neck, back, or shoulders.
While you can cover a rash on your chest or arm with clothes, it’s hard to hide bumps and blemishes on your face. Plus, they can be painful. They can affect your mood and make you self-conscious.
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Types of Acne
Whiteheads
Acne usually occurs when our skin gets clogged. Clogged pores are seen when too much oil, bacteria, and cell production in our skin are due to hormonal changes. Whiteheads are a common form of acne which happens when pores are clogged. A white bump is created on the skin as the length, and head of the pore is closed. Whiteheads cannot be removed or fixed through squeezing, so it is advisable not to attempt such a thing as it will end up with scarring. There are various over-the-counter whitehead treatments which include sulfur, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. These treatments help remove the dead skin cells and excess oil and prevent the anti-inflammatory acne from returning.
Blackheads
Blackheads commonly known as open comedowns as they look black on the skin’s surface. The pore head remains open, and the rest of the pore is clogged. It is not recommended to squeeze the blackhead as they can cause scarring. Avoid using pore strips as they are abrasive and a temporary fix and can damage the top layer of the skin, making acne worse.
Papules
Papules are the red bump created on the skin when excess skin cells or oil block the pore and allows the bacteria to escape the surrounding tissue. Bacteria create an inflamed lesion as papules do not contain pus. Their OTC treatment includes benzoyl peroxide, effective therapy for treating papules. Antibiotics help get rid of bacteria and help to reduce oil production by decreasing androgens levels. They increase oil production on the skin, which leads to acne.
Pustules
Pustules are bulging and small bumps that are white from the center and inflamed from surroundings. They are usually found in the chest, face, and back clusters. Pustules are caused by hormonal changes in the body and are blocked pores. They contain a yellowish fluid known as pus, and popping pustules cause bacteria to spread. It is advisable not to squeeze the pimples.
Nodules
Nodular acne contains red bumps, which are deep under the skin’s surface. This acne results from bacteria that cause a painful infection deep within the pore. OTC treatments are not effective for nodular acne. You can get rid of acne nodules with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, and antibiotics.
Cysts
Cyst acne is one of the most severe forms of acne and results from a deep infection within the skin. Acne cysts are large and inflamed and are filled with pus. They are softer than nodules as they are filled with pus and infect the surrounding skin. This type of acne often seems difficult to treat and can be controlled with medications and antibiotics.