Acne is a skin disease that causes the appearance of pimples and blackheads, especially in the face, neck, arms and back and which in most cases occurs due to hormonal changes such as adolescence or pregnancy, stress or high-fat diet, for example.
Acne occurs because there is an obstruction in the opening of the follicle giving rise to comedones and blackheads, increasing the chances of bacteria getting lodged and causing pimples.
Main types of acne
There are several types of acne being that the treatment varies with the degree of acne and can be done with application of ointments, use of pills or even through surgery, especially when the scars, blackheads and cysts predominate.
The treatment should be started quickly due to aesthetic issues that interfere with self-esteem but also to preserve skin health and prevent scarring.
There are 5 main types of acne and its treatment varies with severity:
Grade 1 - Non-Inflammatory or Comedonic Acne
It is the simplest form of acne, which arises in most cases during adolescence and which is characterized by blackheads, nose and cheeks. In addition, it can come at any time of life to anyone.
- Treatment : This can be done with topical creams or lotions such as Soap with Sulfur and Salicylic Acid or Adapalene Gel prescribed by the dermatologist. In addition, tretinoin, isotretinoin, adapalene or azelaic acid can be used because they are anti-inflammatory, anticomedogenic and comedolytic drugs, for example.
Grade 2 - Pustular-Pustular Acne
It is the presence of blackheads, pimples, papules and pustules that are elevations of the skin that contains pus.
- Treatment: Treatment should be made with antibiotics in tablets such as tetracycline, minocycline or sulfa and gel antimicrobials such as benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin or clindamycin, indicated by the dermatologist.
Grade 3 - Nodule-Cystic Acne
It is characterized by the presence of internal nodules under the skin on the face, back and chest, because the pimples are close to each other, are very reddish and cause pain.
- Treatment: In general, the treatment requires, in addition to the mentioned for acne grade 2, the use of Roacutan seborrheic, which must be prescribed by the dermatologist.
Grade 4 - Acne Conglobata
A type of acne characterized by a set of lesions close to each other with pus, causing the formation of abscesses and fistulas in the skin, causing deformations in the skin.
- Treatment: It is usually made with medicines like Roacutan, prescribed by the dermatologist.
Grade 5 - Acne Fulminant
It is a rare form of acne that comes on suddenly and is accompanied by fever, joint pain and discomfort. This type is more common in men and usually manifests in the chest, back and face and the treatment can be done with topical medications, oral remedies and surgery.
Other Types of Acne
In addition, there are other types of acne related to the cause that originated as:
- Neonatal Acne: presence of pimples and blackheads on the face of the newborn due to hormonal changes that disappear spontaneously at around 3 months of age.
- Medicated Acne: Caused by the side effects of some medications such as birth control, heavy doses of vitamin B, hormone treatments or containing cortisone.
- Acne Solar: type of pimples that appears after intense sun exposure and gives rise to microcysts, mainly in the forehead, and red papules in the area of the cheeks.
However, the treatment in these cases is done according to the severity and it is possible to apply only creams or if the doctor indicates taking medicines, in all cases the dermatologist is the specialist doctor to guide the best treatment for the elimination of acne and also of the scars she can leave.
Acne Scars
Usually the scars, which may be grooves or keloids arise in the most advanced cases of acne, causing deformations where they develop and impairing self-esteem.
