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Saturday, December 16, 2006
Acne Lesions Type
Types of Acne Lesions
We often get confused with the terminology when we read about acne. For example, the
different types of lesions like papules, cysts and comedones or the meaning of the word lesion itself. These definitions should help you in learning about your specific need for treatment.
Lesions- Any physical change in the body tissues caused by a disease or an injury is called a lesion. This may be either external (like acne, skin cancer, or even a knife cut) or internal (like lung cancer or liver cirrhosis). An acne lesion is a physical change caused by a diseased process in the sebaceous follicle.
Comedo lesions- Comedones (plural of comedo) are skin-colored, small bumps that are most commonly found on the chin and forehead of those who suffer with acne. A comedo is a sebaceous follicle. Dead cells from this follicle, sebum, tiny hairs and even small bacteria sometimes plug the sebaceous follicle. The cells lining the sebaceous duct proliferate in acne (this is called cornification) and the result is formation of a comedo.
Some are so small that they may not be visible to the naked eye; these are called
‘microcomedones.’ An open comedo is called a blackhead because the surface of the plug appears black due to exposure to air. A closed comedo that appears as a bump in the skin is called a whitehead. Whiteheads and blackheads should only be extracted under sterile conditions by a qualified dermatologist. If whiteheads and blackheads are squeezed or picked, staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria could infect the area.
Papule- A localized cellular reaction to acne produces a papule. It is a small, solid lesion elevated above the surface of the skin. Although a group of papules and microcomedomes may be invisible to the naked eye, they may give a ‘sandpaper’ feel to the touch.
Macule- A macule is a temporary red, or red-pink, spot that is left after the acne has healed. This has a well-defined border and may stay for many days before disappearing.
Pustule- A pustule is a fragile, dome-shaped lesion that contains pus (white blood cells, bacteria and dead cells). If a pustule does not worsen into a cyst, it does not leave a scar.
Cyst- A cyst is a severe form of acne, a sac-like lesion containing white blood cells, bacteria and
dead cells in a liquid or a semi-liquid form. This is inflammatory and may damage the deeper layers of the skin and cause scarring. Treatments for this lesion are usually not very effective. It is usually very painful.
Nodule- A nodule is the most severe form of acne and sufferers should seek therapies like isotretitnoin. A nodule is a solid, irregularly shaped lesion. It is inflammatory and may penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, causing tissue destruction and scarring. A nodule is generally very painful.
A nodule and a cyst often occur together. That form of acne is called nodulocystic acne.
We often get confused with the terminology when we read about acne. For example, the
different types of lesions like papules, cysts and comedones or the meaning of the word lesion itself. These definitions should help you in learning about your specific need for treatment.
Lesions- Any physical change in the body tissues caused by a disease or an injury is called a lesion. This may be either external (like acne, skin cancer, or even a knife cut) or internal (like lung cancer or liver cirrhosis). An acne lesion is a physical change caused by a diseased process in the sebaceous follicle.
Comedo lesions- Comedones (plural of comedo) are skin-colored, small bumps that are most commonly found on the chin and forehead of those who suffer with acne. A comedo is a sebaceous follicle. Dead cells from this follicle, sebum, tiny hairs and even small bacteria sometimes plug the sebaceous follicle. The cells lining the sebaceous duct proliferate in acne (this is called cornification) and the result is formation of a comedo.
Some are so small that they may not be visible to the naked eye; these are called
‘microcomedones.’ An open comedo is called a blackhead because the surface of the plug appears black due to exposure to air. A closed comedo that appears as a bump in the skin is called a whitehead. Whiteheads and blackheads should only be extracted under sterile conditions by a qualified dermatologist. If whiteheads and blackheads are squeezed or picked, staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria could infect the area.
Papule- A localized cellular reaction to acne produces a papule. It is a small, solid lesion elevated above the surface of the skin. Although a group of papules and microcomedomes may be invisible to the naked eye, they may give a ‘sandpaper’ feel to the touch.
Macule- A macule is a temporary red, or red-pink, spot that is left after the acne has healed. This has a well-defined border and may stay for many days before disappearing.
Pustule- A pustule is a fragile, dome-shaped lesion that contains pus (white blood cells, bacteria and dead cells). If a pustule does not worsen into a cyst, it does not leave a scar.
Cyst- A cyst is a severe form of acne, a sac-like lesion containing white blood cells, bacteria and
dead cells in a liquid or a semi-liquid form. This is inflammatory and may damage the deeper layers of the skin and cause scarring. Treatments for this lesion are usually not very effective. It is usually very painful.
Nodule- A nodule is the most severe form of acne and sufferers should seek therapies like isotretitnoin. A nodule is a solid, irregularly shaped lesion. It is inflammatory and may penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, causing tissue destruction and scarring. A nodule is generally very painful.
A nodule and a cyst often occur together. That form of acne is called nodulocystic acne.
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