Types of acne: Which one do you have?

Acne is a very common skin problem where skin pores get blocked by sebum (an oily substance), bacteria, hair and dead skin cells. These blockages give rise to different types of acne like blackheads, whiteheads, pustules etc. Severe and stubborn acne can occur due to hormonal imbalances caused by androgen hormones. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, you can observe acne most commonly at places of the body where there’s a presence of lots of oil glands like your face, nose sides, forehead, chest, upper back. Many times the appearance of acne during certain phases of life are considered normal, like during puberty or during periods due to the fluctuating hormone levels.

The main types of acne are:

Blackheads: Blackheads are open bumps on the skin that get filled with excess oil and dead skin cells. They look as if there’s a disposition of dirt inside the bump, but the blackheads appear as dark spots because the clogged hair follicles caused an irregular light reflection.

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Whiteheads: Whiteheads are the bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin at the skin surface. 

Papules: Papules are small reddish or pinkish bumps that become inflamed and are very sensitive to touch. Squeezing these types of acne can cause bad scarring.

Pustules: Pustules are filled with pus. They have white or yellow heads and are surrounded by a red ring. 

Fungal acne: These types of acne occur due to fungal infections and are usually itchy and inflamed.

Here are few tips that you can try, if you have acne:

• It might seem tempting but do not squeeze or pick your acne sores.
• Wash your face or the affected area with a mild soap with lukewarm water. Don’t use very cold or very hot water on your face.
• Wash your face masks, hats or scarves and don’t wear for long periods of time
• Don’t use oily cosmetics like lotions, creams or hair waxes
• Do not wash affected areas frequently, it can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.
• Avoid using too much make-up everyday

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If you find you have stubborn acne, talk to your dermatologist about it. Acne can also be a sign of some underlying health issue that needs a doctor’s help to be treated properly.