Different Types and Symptoms of Acne

Acne Vulgaris ranges in severity from mild to severe. Almost everyone will recognise and has suffered from the mildest forms of acne at some point, while at its most severe acne can be an extremely rare and debilitating disease.

The mildest forms of acne are blackheads and whiteheads, which are basically blocked pores. A whitehead is a fully blocked pore, while a blackhead is an only partially blocked pore that is open-ended. Both whiteheads and blackheads are blocked with the same material, which is a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. Contrary to common belief, neither one is blocked with dirt. However, acne bacteria feeds on the sebum and dead skin cells which are trapped in white- and blackheads, which can cause your acne symptoms to worsen.

If acne bacterium is allowed to grow on a blocked pore, it can turn into a papule or pustule. These are basically what we recofnise as spots. The difference between a papule and a pustule is that a pustule has a head while a papule does not. Pustules can be squeezed, although this will probably make the problem worse, while papules cannot. The reason they develop a red and inflamed appearance is that the acne bacteria breaks down the walls of the pore as it feeds on the dead skin cells and sebum within. If it is allowed to do so, it will then spread through the broken skin, making the overall problem worse.

If the acne bacteria continue to spread, they can cause these papules and pustules to then form into nodules or cysts. These are basically large, hard spots that penetrate into lower levels of the skin and are more difficult to reach. Just like whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules, nodules and cysts are also filled with dead skin cells and sebum, with the addition of a lot of acne bacteria that makes it even more essential that you do not attempt to squeeze these. Once acne has reached this level of severity, it must be treated accordingly. You may have to visit a dermatologist who can remove these nodules and cysts, and who may prescribe steroid cream or a retinoid. It is very important that you follow a low-fat, healthy diet if your acne has become severe, as it is possible there is a link between a high-fat diet and the formation of excess sebum.

If acne is left untreated, it can develop into even more severe forms. Acne conglobata is the most severe form of acne and is characterised by large lesions which often join together, and which are particularly hard and difficult to remove. Blackheads and whiteheads are also numerous with this type of acne. Because of the presence of large numbers of acne bacterium with this form of the disease, the pores can be broken down quite severely and affected area can become so damaged that it will be left with permanent scarring even if the acne itself is cured. Acne fulminans is similar to acne conglobata, but that its symptoms appear extremely quickly and abruptly and it is also accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever and aching joints. Acne fulminans is an extremely serious disease which often requires hospitalisation. Gram-negative folliculitis, meanwhile, is another extreme form of acne vulgaris that is thought to be connected to the long-term use of antibiotics.