Acne Symptoms

The face is the part of our body where acne is most common. 99% of people affected by this skin condition have problems on their face. 60% of people affected by acne also have spots on their back, while only 15% have their chest affected as well.

Acne is considered inflammatory or non-inflammatory depending on how severe the condition is and how clogged the skin pores are. From whiteheads, blackheads or pus-filled cysts, there are several types of spots that range from mild to severe, with cysts being the cause of permanent scarring.

Inflammation appears as redness, swelling and may cause pain in the areas of the skin affected by acne.

Types of Spots

The skin lesions caused by acne are usually called spots. However, there are several types of such damaged tissue that range in severity.

Blackheads

Blackheads – are black or yellowish small bumps

Whiteheads

Whiteheads – are firmer than blackheads and have a white centre

Papules

Papules – are red bumps that feel sore

Pustules

Pustules – have a white tip in the centre caused by build-up of pus

Nodules

Nodules – are larger lumps that are growing beneath the surface of the skin and cause pain

Cysts

Cysts – Look like Nonules but are pus-filled lumps looking like boils and can cause permanent scarring

Different Acne Spots

The different types of spots have distinct appearance but a common cause. Dead skin cells that are not completely cleared from the hair follicle, combined with seborrhea and the action of the bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes form a comedo inside the pilo-sebaceous unit.

When inflammation occurs inside or around a comedo, a visible acne spot appear on the skin. Types of spots are differentiated according to the extent of such inflammation and the damage it causes to the tissue surrounding the spot. The presence of an active infection is another factor that differentiates types of spots. Bacteria causing inflammation can make the skin red and hyperpigmented.