How many pimples

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that's hot or painful to touch. If you develop mild acne , it's a good idea to speak to a pharmacist for advice. Several creams, lotions and gels for treating spots are available to buy from pharmacies. Products containing a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide may be recommended, but be careful as this can bleach clothing. If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription.

If you have mild acne , speak to a pharmacist about medicines to treat it. If these do not control your acne, or it's making you feel very unhappy, see a GP. You should see a GP if you have moderate or severe acne or you develop nodules or cysts, as they need to be treated properly to avoid scarring.

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Acne is a common condition that causes several types of skin blemishes, each with a distinct appearance and symptoms.

Each type of acne lesion requires a different treatment. Receiving prompt, correct treatment can reduce the risk of long-term skin complications, such as pitting and scarring. Acne blemishes fall into two categories, depending on whether or not they cause inflammation of the surrounding skin.

Most minor acne blemishes respond to at-home care and over-the-counter medications. However, people with severe or long-term acne should speak with a doctor or dermatologist. Whiteheads and blackheads are types of noninflammatory acne lesions. They are typically the least severe forms of acne and do not cause swelling or discomfort. The medical term for whiteheads is closed comedones.

These are small or flesh-colored spots or bumps. On lighter skin, they usually have a white, circular center surrounded by a red halo. On darker skin, the surrounding area may appear dark or even purple-hued. Whiteheads typically do not cause scarring. A hair will sometimes emerge from the center of a whitehead or appear within the blemish. The skin around a whitehead may appear tight or wrinkled, especially when the whitehead is large or especially raised.

Blackheads, or open comedones, are small, dark-colored spots that may appear as slightly raised bumps. The skin around a blackhead usually appears normal, while the center of the blackhead is darker than the surrounding area. This coloration is not a result of trapped dirt. Blackheads are simply whiteheads that have opened and widened. When the contents of a whitehead are exposed to air, they darken. Many over-the-counter OTC rinses, moisturizers, gels, toners, and creams can treat noninflammatory acne blemishes.

They often contain a mix of active ingredients. Several home remedies and lifestyle changes also can help reduce most minor-to-mild forms of noninflammatory acne.

These include:. A person with acne should not irritate or pop their blemishes. Doing so can lead to complications such as scarring and the formation of cysts and nodules.

A person with a more severe case of acne may experience inflamed blemishes across their face, chest, and back. Inflammatory acne is more severe than its noninflammatory counterpart and can lead to complications such as scarring and pitting. Inflammatory acne can vary from small bumps that respond to topical treatments to large cysts that may require surgical attention.

Papules themselves will appear solid, tender, and raised. Typically the skin around a papule is also inflamed. Unlike whiteheads, papules have no visible center, and unlike blackheads, the pores of a papule are not widened. Whiteheads are more difficult to treat because the pores are already closed. Products containing salicylic acid can be helpful. Topical retinoids give the best results for comedonal acne. Currently, adapalene Differin is available over the counter as a retinoid. If it does not work for you, stronger topical retinoids are available by prescription from your dermatologist.

Shop for topical retinoids. Read more: Acne treatments ». Although sebum and dead skin cells contribute to inflammatory acne, bacteria can also play a role in clogging up pores.

This may result in painful acne spots that are hard to get rid of. Products containing benzoyl-peroxide may help reduce swelling and get rid of bacteria within the skin. These can also remove excess sebum. Your doctor may prescribe either an oral or topical antibiotic along with the benzoyl-peroxide to treat your inflammatory acne. Topical retionoids are also an important part of combatting inflammatory papules and pustules. Shop for products containing benzoyl-peroxide. Papules occur when the walls surrounding your pores break down from severe inflammation.

This results in hard, clogged pores that are tender to the touch. The skin around these pores is usually pink. Pustules can also form when the walls around your pores break down. Unlike papules, pustules are filled with pus. These bumps come out from the skin and are usually red in color. They often have yellow or white heads on top. Nodules occur when clogged, swollen pores endure further irritation and grow larger. Unlike pustules and papules, nodules are deeper underneath the skin. Prescription medication is necessary to help clear these up.

Your doctor or dermatologist will likely prescribe the oral medication isotretinoin Sotret. This is made from a form of vitamin A and is taken daily for four to six months. It can treat and prevent nodules by decreasing oil gland size within the pores. Cysts can develop when pores are clogged by a combination of bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells. The clogs occur deep within the skin and are further below the surface than nodules.

These large red or white bumps are often painful to the touch. Cysts are the largest form of acne, and their formation usually results from a severe infection. This type of acne is also the most likely to scar.

The prescription medication isotretinoin Sotret is commonly used to treat cysts. In severe cases, your dermatologist may surgically remove a cyst.