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Home  >  Acne/Pimples

Overview

English हिंदी

Acne/Pimples - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

What is acne?

In medical terms, acne is better known as Acne Vulgaris. It is a disease of the skin which chiefly concerns the oil glands which are to be found at the base of hair follicles. It is most common in adolescents when these glands start functioning. The glands become active due to the stimulation received from the male hormones secreted by the adrenal glands of both the genders.

It is not a dangerous condition per se but can potentially scar the skin, a condition abhorred by those in the tumultuous adolescent phase. The oil or sebaceous glands are located beneath the skin and it is connected with the human skin through pores or tiny holes containing follicles or small canals. The function of the sebum or the oil produced by the gland is to carry dead skin cells to the skin’s surface. These follicles are susceptible to being blocked.

Pimples are usually found on the face, neck, shoulders, back and the chest in human beings. The skin cells, the oil-sebum and the hair clump together to form a plug. In time, the plug becomes infected due to the presence of bacteria which results in the swelling. The plug begins to break down and a pimple develops.

What is the cause of acne?

An interesting thing to note about acne is that it cannot be said for certain what is its cause. According to experts, the hormone androgen is the culprit which surges during puberty which in turn leads to the growth of skin glands resulting in excessive sebum. This sebum then breaks down the cellular wall of pores which enable bacterial growth.

According to some studies, there is also an element of genetic propensity. Medication with lithium and androgen may also lead to the condition. Greasy cosmetics are another culprit. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes may also result in acne.

What are the different types of acne pimples?

Acne pimples may be of various types. These include:

  • Whiteheads- These are very small and are usually present beneath the skin.
  • Blackheads- Blackheads can be seen clearly. They are black in color and make their appearance on the skin’s surface. It is a misconception that blackheads are caused by dirt and scrubbing your face with vigor is of little use.
  • Papules- Papules are small bumps typically pink in color on the skin’s surface.
  • Pustules- Pustules can be identified on the skin surface with ease. They have a red base with a top filled with pus.
  • Nobules- Nobules too stand out on the skin’s surface. They happen to be solid, large pimples. They are often accompanied by pain and are embedded in the depths of the skin.
  • Cysts- These are visible on the skin surface. They are usually painful and are pus filled. They are prone to cause scars.
Can't be cured, but treatment helps Usually self diagnosable
Symptoms
Whiteheads (closed plugged pores) Blackheads (open plugged pores) Small red, tender bumps

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Popular Questions & Answers

I am 24 year old .acne and dark spot on my face. Actually my face medium not more oily type or dry please recommend me that can I use episoft ac cream or not.
You can, but treatment depends on the grade. Acne or pimples. Due to hormonal changes. Oily skin causes it. Common in adolescent age. May occur in adults also. Food like oily foods, ice cream, chocolate and sweets increase it. Treatment depends on...
2 people found this helpful

I am 23 year old. I hav combination acne prone skin. If I keep it oil free to prevent acne then dry patches are seen if I apply moisturizer if you b more oily. It is sensitive as well. Cetaphil moisturizer nd shadow sunscreen does’t suit my skin. Now doctor suggest me uv doux sunscreen gel nd deriva cms gel nd acnevon facewash. Does this thing work for my skin? My skin was clear before not a single pimple. Its been 1 nd half year I am getting acne. Nd due to this my skin look rough no glow. Open pores blackheads pimple acne. How can I take good care for my skin nd reduces all this problem.
Treatment depends on the grade. Acne or pimples. Due to hormonal changes. Oily skin causes it. Common in adolescent age. May occur in adults also. Food like oily foods, ice cream, chocolate and sweets increase it. Treatment depends on the grade of...

I am having acne from a long time. Recently I am using tretinoin then now some chemists suggested me to use faceclin for acne .so which tube should I use for acne removal.
No, Treatment depends on the grade. Acne or pimples. Due to hormonal changes. Oily skin causes it. Common in adolescent age. May occur in adults also. Food like oily foods, ice cream, chocolate and sweets increase it. Treatment depends on the grad...
1 person found this helpful

Hai i'm 34 years female. I have acne problem from last two years. Currently i'm taking isotretinoin 20 mg (one per day) as prescribed by my doctor (from 25th march 2019). But after isotretinoin big bloody bumps started to appear on my face. Now what I have to do. Stop isotretinoin or consult doctor again?
From the symptoms, it appears that you have nodular type of acne. You can go for medicated peeling with comedon extraction. That will be the best for your acne and give you complete cure.
2 people found this helpful

Im a pcod patient. Frm lst fw dyz my hands are 40% fulled with acne I knw in this pcod we face acne bt on back chest n on upper hands. Bt my hands acne is increasing. My derma hav given me supatret c gel fr night n cetaphil moisturizer fr mrng n acne star soap. please suggest me I am going d right way? Nw I have acne on my full hands.
Treatment depends on the grade. Acne or pimples. Due to hormonal changes. Oily skin causes it. Common in adolescent age. May occur in adults also. Food like oily foods, ice cream, chocolate and sweets increase it. Treatment depends on the grade of...
1 person found this helpful
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Table of Content

What is acne?
What is the cause of acne?
What are the different types of acne pimples?
Play video
Pimples - Know More About It
Acne or pimples is most commonly seen in teenagers and young adults, just around the time the body is undergoing hormonal adjustments. Thus, acne is not simply just a skin problem, but often an indication of internal bodily disturbances. Of course...
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Acne And Pimple
Hi! I am Dr. Sandesh Gupta, your skin specialist. Aaj hum ek bohot hi common condition ke bare mein discuss karenge jo ki acne aur pimples hoti hai. Acne aur pimples bohot common conditions hota hai. Ye 15-20 years ke beech mein male ya female don...
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Pigmentation
Hello! I am Dr. Avanti Trivedi so today I will be speaking on pigmentation. So, pigmentation is nothing but increase in melanin in the skin which results in dark spots, generalized tanning, darkness, patchy skin. The causes of pigmentation can be ...
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Acne
Hi, I am Dr. Abhigyan Mukherjee, Dermatologist. Today I will talk about acne. There are some do's and don'ts for acne and lots of myth about the same. Acne is not a disease, its a physiological condition. Lots of people think that this problem is ...
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Acne - How To Get Rid Of Them?
Hi, I am Dr. Neeharika Manchanda, Dermatologist. Today I will talk about acne. It is a very common problem and mostly seen in adolescents. It can occur in any age because of hormonal changes. It causes acute stress as they are more concerned about...
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