Acne vulgaris could be described as: 'an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits' (according to Wikipedia).
Acne is most common in Western teenagers, although it does occur in every country in the world, so there may be a genetic weakness to it. It is possible that it could be an exceptional reaction to fairly average levels of testosterone. For most sufferers, the condition lasts only until adulthood, probably only a few years or at most ten. For others, however, it can be a life-long recurring affliction. It most often affects the face, upper-chest, upper-arms and back. However, an occasional spot is not the same as acne.
Acne vulgaris shows itself in different many forms, including: whiteheads, caused by pores that are completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white spot on the surface; blackheads, resulting from pores which are only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface (the black colour is not caused by dirt, but is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, called melanin, with the oxygen in the air); papules, which are inflamed, red, tender lumps with no head and pustules, which are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed, and look like red circles with a white or yellow centre.
Whiteheads do not often last for a long time; blackheads do last a long time and pustules are what people call spots or zits. Severe acne vulgaris is distinguished by nodules and cysts. A 'nodule' is a much larger and more painful type of pustule and can often last for months. Nodules are large, hard lumps just under the skin's surface. They frequently cause scarring and should never for any reason be squeezed, since this could cause them to last for months longer.
A 'cyst' may look similar to a nodule, but it is full of pus and has been described as having a diameter of at least 5mm and, again, can leave scars and cause pain. Squeezing an acne cyst may cause a deeper infection and more painful inflammation which will last very much longer than if it had not been squeezed. Dermatologists have ways of reducing the swelling and avoiding scarring with both nodules and cysts. It is not true that acne sufferers are not meticulous about their hygiene.
In fact, excessive washing can irritate acne. There are many, many fake 'treatments' on the market and many, many old wives' remedies. However, any honest dermatologist would advise you that there is no sure-fire remedy for acne and that the patient has to follow a religious regimen of cleansing until the acne just 'goes away' of its own accord.
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