the various types of acne and their causes

//
//

The various types of acne – Acne is a common inflammatory disease of the skin. The scientific term for this skin disease is acne vulagaris.  Usually, acne breakouts occur when the skin structure that includes the hair follicle and sebaceous glands, known as the pilosebaceous units, goes through changes because of hormones or other reasons.  Symptoms usually include pimples, spots, and zits.  The term acne is of Greek origin, and is a combination of the words “acme”, which means “skin eruption” and “bacne” or “backne” which is a type of acne that shows up on the back instead of the face.

Acne is commonly found in pubescent people, or teens.  For teenagers, acne is considered the body’s way of reacting to hormones in the body, as during this age the different hormones are fluctuating wildly.  These fluctuations tend to level out over time, so for many people the acne breakouts will decrease or disappear as they enter their 20s. It is impossible to predict how long it will take acne to disappear for an individual.  Nearly everyone will deal with acne at some point during their lifetime.  Some people continue to have acne as adults, especially women.  In women, it can be aggravated by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or changes in birth control medication, since all of these factors affect the hormone balance of the body.

There are various types of acne.  Acne vulgaris is the type of acne commonly seen in teenagers.  Acne rosacea is more often found in adults.  This type of acne appears as a red rash that is localized to the patient’s face.

Acne keloidalis nuchae is also known as pseudofollicultis nuchae.  This acne rash is a result of irritation caused by shaving.

Acne conglobata is also known as hidraenitis suppurative.  This type of acne is actually abscesses and boils on the sweat glands and hair follicles.  Comedogenic cosmetics can clog pores and bring about acne breakouts.  It can sometimes be avoided by wearing non-pores clogging formulations.

Acne medicamentosa is a form of acne caused in response to a change in medication.

Baby acne is a rash commonly seen on newborns.  In most cases, only your dermatologist will be able to positively identify the type of acne that you have, as well as the best treatment for it.