Acne Is About to Get Interesting – Who Knew?
Do you know what kind of acne you have? The only way to know for certain is to get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor or certified dermatologist.
Ordinary acne most often associated with teens and the raging hormones of puberty is known as Acne Vulgaris. Depending on the condition’s severity and how it has been handled, acne vulgaris presents itself as unsightly and embarrassing whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules or cysts. While consulting your doctor or dermatologist for professional acne treatment advice, this particular form of acne can sometimes successfully be remedied with over the counter products without any further intervention.
Sometimes acne vulgaris presents itself in adults long after puberty. In this case it is known as Adult Acne. Most often the cause is still hormonal imbalance as it is sometimes associated with pregnancy or the menstrual cycle in women. Some prescription drug side effects (Acne Medicamentosa – yes, there are names for all these things!) are also well-known culprits in causing adult acne. Even something as simple as repetitive friction between skin and clothing (Acne Mechanica) can instigate an acne breakout.
Taking Acne Up a Notch
Stepping up a level from the common and simple acne vulgaris is a more severe form of acne called Acne Conglobata. This sneaky condition often appears to clear up. However, it is just dormant – sometimes for years – and can be triggered by stress or other underlying causes which can be difficult to detect without professional counseling. It’s important to know that acne conglobata is the variety most likely to cause scarring and permanent damage.
Further up the scale in intensity and severity is Acne Fulminans which usually occurs in men. It is often accompanied by a fever as well as joint inflammation. Professional medical treatment is a must in this case as it is can be a very serious and debilitating condition.
Common Acne Causes = Common Acne Names
Every day cleansing products like soaps and body washes cause their own kind of acne known as Acne Detergens. A breakout due to the use of cosmetics is – you guessed it – Acne Cosmetic. And if you spend a lot of time outdoors in hot temperature and especially if you use a mixture of sun creams and blockers, you could fall prey to Acne Mallorca.
If you pick at your spots and blemishes whether on purpose or through unconscious habit, the term that applies to your condition is Acne Excoriee.
So Simple, Even a Child Can Do Acne
Acne Neonatorum, or infantile acne or milia are names for acne conditions affecting newborns and infants. It is characterized by small white milk spots seen on their noses and faces. However, once you establish a regular bathing with your child, these symptoms usually clear up quickly.
People who use heavy oil cosmetics on their hair thus blocking their pores can often contract a condition of Acne Pomade, named after the hair product. Acne pomade is once again becoming more prevalent with the recent increased use of gels, mousses and other hair products.
Although not actually a form of acne, Rosacea – a distinctive red facial flush generally occurring more often in women – is commonly thought to be associated. Proper diagnosis is essential as the treatment for Rosacea will be much different from that offered for acne.
Acne Summary
Here in review are the 10 forms of acne listed in this article
- Acne Vulgaris
- Adult
- Medicamentosa
- Mechanica
- Conglobata
- Fulminans
- Detergens
- Cosmetic
- Mallorca
- Exoriee
- Neonatorum
- Pomade
Another reason you should not hesitate to seek professional help is that some types of acne respond more readily to treatment than others. When home remedies, over the counter products and all-else fails, see your doctor or certified dermatologist immediately.
These professionals will put an exact name to your condition. Armed with this knowledge you can then confidently and quickly select the best acne treatment for the fastest and most effective results.