AAcne Types Galore

Acne is not a frightening or life-changing medical condition, though it is a bit of bother for the sufferer. Those skin-colored or red dots that spot the face look like a handful of grains that someone has strewn there. But doctors have names and grades for these dots, and acne remedies are often chosen based on these grades. For best acne treatment, the best knowledge of these acne types is also necessary.

In the medical manner of speaking, acne is divided into grades I, II, III, and IV. This division often becomes the deciding criteria for doctors to prescribe acne medication.

Grade I is the mildest form of acne and includes milia, whiteheads, and blackheads. These are generally non-inflamed. Acne vulgaris is a typical example of grade I acne. At this stage the acne problem is amenable to treatment by over the counter acne medicines.

Grade II consists of mildly inflamed variety and includes pustules and papules. Of these, pustules are small pus-filled bumps which are made up of dead cells and white blood cells and contain bacteria. Papules are less infected in comparison and are small bumps which are less than 5mm in size.

Grade III and IV are harsher and become a bigger acne problem for the sufferer. A grade III acne sufferer will have a denser sprinkling of pustules and papules on the face. The lesions will also be redder and larger in this stage. In grade IV the condition would be worse and there could be cysts and nodules and the acne problem may spread to areas other than the face.

Congoblata is a highly inflamed type of acne that can turn into abscesses, damaging the skin by acne scars. Even around milia and whiteheads, and blackheads – collectively known as comedones – pus-filled inflamed acne can grow and leave irremovable keloid scars even after they heal.

A really big acne problem can be created by acne fulminans, a painful form of ulcerated acne, which can even lead to fever or pains in the joints. This is a recurring type and not easily amenable to treatment. The acne medication commonly used for this is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, which can control the symptoms.

One of the worst forms of acne is nodulocystic acne. Here the acne turn into inflamed cysts and are sometimes so numerous as to make a whole area inflamed, or it may spread the infection through tunnels beneath the skin. The acne medication used for this type of acne is Accutane.

Gram-negative folliculitis is a form of acne where the follicles, or hair shafts, of the face gets infected by bacteria of the gram-negative group. Most of the lesions here are pustules. It is caused by a very resistant variety of bacteria and can even result from antibiotic treatment for prolonged periods. Special attention and treatment by professionals is required to handle this acne problem.

Milder forms of acne may respond to homemade acne treatments or over the counter acne medication. But for advanced cases of acne problem a dermatologist has to be consulted. Timely acne help will make it easier to get rid of acne.