Acne Blemish Types

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dortzur | Jul 20, 2010 |

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Acne blemishes come in a lot of sizes and shapes. Acne blemishes can be divided into two main categories – inflamed and non-inflamed blemishes. Non-inflamed blemishes usually look like little red dots that on the skin's surface, they resemble a rash and sometimes you can barely even notice them. But when these harmless little spots get infected, which can happen due to bacteria invasion or irritation (picking and popping comes to mind) then they become inflamed. Inflamed acne blemishes are what most of us refer to nowadays as pimples. You can usually identify an inflamed blemish by its characteristics: swollen, painful and surrounded by a red area. There are four main types of acne blemishes:

Papules - This is an inflamed lesion that is surrounded by a red area. It will have neither a whitehead nor pus. This blemish will happen when there is a tear in the follicle wall, because then cellular debris and bacteria can invade the dermis. This occurs when pore becomes filled with debris and oil, or when irritated. Papule will usually end up developing into pustules.

Pustules – this is your friendly (well not so much) neighborhood pimple. It contains a whitehead. It's inflamed surrounded with a red circle. It size will vary from small to fairly large. Sometimes you will even see the comedonal core which will appear as a cap on the pus head.

Pustules develop when white blood cells invade a papule.

Probably the best acne treatment for this sort of blemish is the use of home remedies for acne, which can supplement or be used as an alternative to over the counter medicine.

Nodules – this inflamed lesion is large and resides deeply under the skin. They appear like hard, painful bumps under the skin. They differ from papules and pustules by the fact that they develop under the skin as opposed to its surface.

Cysts – Cysts are very large inflamed lesions. They are full of fluid, soft bumps under the dermis surface. They are considered the most severe type of acne blemish and you should consult your dermatologist if they appear.