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What are the Different Types of Acne?

Acne treatment depends upon the clinical type and severity of the pimples. There are many different

types of acne classifications available, depending upon the morphology, severity and
pathophysiology of the acne.
Why Learn about Different Types of Acne?
Most people think that all types of acne require the same treatment. Nothing can be farthest from
the truth. Each type of acne has to be managed according to its own merit. Most acne natural or
home remedies are not effective because they do not pay attention to this important factor.
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Your dermatologist will take into account a number of factors while deciding on the best pimple
treatment suitable for you; like the type and severity of acne, your age, gender, profession, and; if
you are a female, whether you are expecting or breast feeding or have chances of getting pregnant.
Knowing your acne type will also help you decide when to get expert help so as to avoid
complications like acne scars and acne skin blemishes.
The most useful and common classifications of acne are as follows:

Morphological Types of Acne


Morphological Types of Acne include
Acne Comedones: Primary lesions during the development of acne; non inflammatory type of acne.
Two types: Closed comedone (whitehead) and open comedone (blackhead).Acne Papules: Papular
acne shows minimal inflammation with skin colored or red bumps.Acne Pustules: Moderate to severe
inflammation and pus filled bumps are seen in pustular acne.Acne Nodules: Deep seated, red,
severely inflamed nodules characterize nodular acne. Acne nodules are the result of repeated
inflammatory rupture and encapsulation of the hair follicle and sebaceous gland with abscess
formation and foreign body reaction.Acne Cysts: Fluctuant cystic acne lesions are abscesses formed
by the breakdown and necrosis of the nodules and contain the debris from infected sebaceous gland,

hair duct, inflammatory cells and surrounding dermal tissue.Acne Conglobata: In very severe acne,
the nodules and cysts connect together to form deep, painful sinus like tracts. These are prone to
deep scars.Types of Acne Depending Upon the Severity
The following classification, a very useful one for the patients as well as the treating dermatologist,
is modified from Acne therapy: A methodologic review by Lehmann HP et al. in the August 2002
issue of the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology.
Mild Acne: Up to 20 comedones and less than 15 papules, total acne lesions less than 30 in
number.Moderate Acne: 20-100 comedones and/or 15-50 inflamed papules or pustules, total count of
30-125 acne bumps.Severe Acne: More than 5 cysts/nodules, more than 100 comedones or
inflammatory acne lesions more than 50 with a total acne bumps count more than 125Very Severe
Acne: Disfiguring severe nodulocystic acne, covering the major portion of the face, chest and
back.Acne Types Based on the Pathophysiology of PimplesInflammatory Acne: Includes acne with
papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.Non-inflammatory acne: Includes comedonal acne.Acne Grading
System
This grading of acne includes a combination of above classifications.
Grade 1. Mild, comedonal acne; non inflammatory type.Grade 2: Moderate, papular acne;
inflammation is minimalGrade 3: Severe, pustular acne with moderate to severe inflammation.
Chances of acne scar formation present.Grade 4: Very severe, nodulocystic acne. Deep acne scars
possible if not treated promptly.These different classifications of acne are useful not only in choosing
the appropriate treatment modalities for the pimples, but also for conducting acne clinical research
and disease surveys. The mild acne is the only type of acne where OTC products and acne home
remedy may be tried without much risk of acne complications.Related Articles Acne 101: The Acne
Basics Acne Myths How Does Acne Develop?ReferencesWhite GM. Recent findings in the
epidemiologic evidence, classification, and subtypes of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 1998; 39
(Suppl):S34-7.Simpson NB & Cunliffe WJ. Disorders of the Sebaceous Glands in Rooks Textbook of
Dermatology. 2004; 7: 43.1-43.75.Disorders of Sebaceous and Apocrine Glands in Fitzpatrick's Color
Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Fifth Ed, 2005Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purpose only so that patients are aware of the
options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting
your doctor. If you do so, the author or suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The
images provided are for illustration purpose only.

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ypes-of-acne-a145042

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