Types of Pimples

The hair and skin on the body are kept lubricated with the help of an oily liquid known as sebum. This is secreted or produced by what is known as the sebaceous glands. Now this liquid, after it us secreted, makes it way through the sebum, and reaches the skin through the opening of the hair follicle. This process becomes overactive, especially during teenage, and causes the sebaceous glands to excrete excess of the oily liquid. Along with this, the body can also produces excess of dead skin cells. The oil and the skin cells may get accumulated in the hair follicle, and form into a soft plug. Depending on the type of this plug, there are different types of pimples, which would be described in the following segment. Also a brief data on the treatment options have also been provided.

Types of Pimples - What are They?

The following table would help you understand the different types of pimples, people are affected with. The basic characteristics of each of the types have been compiled for your reference.

Types of PimplesCharacteristics
WhiteheadFirst in the list is what is known as a whitehead. You must be familiar with the term. The soft plug that forms as a result of the accumulation of excess sebum and dead skin cells, may become completely blocked, and take a white appearance. These types of pimples are known as whiteheads.
BlackheadWhen the same soft plug is not completely but partially blocked, it remains open at the skin surface. And then what happens is, the melanin of the skin reacts with oxygen, and cause the plug to darken over time thus, the name blackhead.
PustulesPustules on face are also one of the types of pimples, which are usually red, and develop as bumps, tender to touch. These remain inflamed, and have a white or yellow center.
PapulesSimilar to pustules, papules indicate infection or inflammation in the hair follicles. They also surface as small, red bumps, which may be tender to touch.
NodulesIn some cases, the excess sebum and dead skin cells start building up deep beneath the surface of hair follicles. And when this happens, it causes the formation of lumps. These are called nodular acne and they seem to occur beneath the surface of the skin, and are usually painful, and large in size.
CystsProbably, these are the types of pimples that are the most severe and painful. They also form beneath the surface of the skin in the form of lumps. However, cystic acne gets filled with pus, and this is what increases the risk of causing acne scars.
Acne ConglobataThis is a rare and severe form of acne that is known to affect areas such as the back, buttocks, chest, shoulders, upper arms, thighs, including the face. According to experts, this type of acne is a combination of pustules and nodules.

Other Types of Pimples

  • Back acne
  • Acne Rosacea
  • Acne Fulminans
  • Gram-Negative Folliculitis
Treatment of Pimples

We are done with the types of pimples, and now how to get rid of them is what we would be discussing here. The treatment is centered around reducing the excess sebum production, getting rid of the bacterial infection (if any), and reducing inflammation. Also, speeding up the skin cell turnover is one of the goals of the treatment.

If we speak of over-the-counter medications, they are good for dealing with mild types of pimple nodules, pustules, papules and the like. And they, most likely, do not respond to severe kinds of the problem. So for these, doctors may provide prescription-strength topical lotions. These products contain vitamin A as one of their active ingredients. They basically prevent the formation of the soft plug I was talking about.

For getting rid of bacteria, antibiotics are recommended. They also help in reducing inflammation. Patients might have to follow a course of topical and oral antibiotics. For cysts, more aggressive form of medications are prescribed, when antibiotics come of no use. Other treatment methods include oral contraceptives, laser and light therapy, and cosmetic procedures.

In case you wish to learn about the types of pimple scars, then this link on the types on acne scars is just what you need to refer to. This was all for my article on the types of pimples and how to treat them. To give you a little advice, wash the affected areas with a gentle cleanser, avoid irritants which seem to worsen the pimples, and drink plenty of water to wash out the toxins. Most importantly, if you leave your pimples alone and not squeeze them, then you can recover faster.

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