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Glossary and explanation of acne and pimple related terms

by www.dermaxime.com    

When you start searching for information on acne and pimples and the treatment thereof, you will run into a whole selection of words and terms which may at first be confusing - such as acne lesions, comedones, macules, papule, pustules, nodules, cysts and nodulocystic.

In order to demystify this entire subject we have tried to make it as uncomplicated and straight forward as possible, and have on this page the explanations and information on:

• Acne lesion

• Comedones 

  • Blackhead

  • Whitehead

• Macule

• Papule

• Pustule

• Nodule

• Cyst

• Nodulocystic

We trust that you will find the information below interesting and of help, and please look at the other pages listed below for more information on acne and the treatment thereof.

Acne lesion 

Refers to the change in body tissue - due either by injury or disease - but in the case of acne, would refer to the change in the skin by the infection and inflammation of the sebaceous follicle.

Comedones 

There are two types of comedones - open and closed. 

An open comedo normally has a dark colored plug surface and is referred to in general terms as a blackhead. 

A closed comedo does not have an opening, or has a very small opening, to the surface and is normally referred to as a whitehead. They are normally skin-colored and appear as a small bump on the skin. 

A whitehead can be seen as the pre-cursor to acne problems and as Dr. R. Aron-Brunetiere puts it "They are the cause of acne pimples: indeed closed comedones and acne spots are so closely linked that one can safely say that acne cannot exist without them." ^{Reference 55}

Both a blackhead and a whitehead is a sebaceous gland plugged with sedum and also contains dead cells, hair and at times bacteria as well. Neither of them should be squeezed or picked at, since infection can occur which could lead to cysts and nodules. 

These blackheads and whiteheads must either be removed by your dermatologist, or can also under certain conditions be removed by a trained beauty therapist.

Papule 

A papule is a small solid lesion (5 mm or less) elevated above the surface of the skin and although sometimes nearly invisible, may be felt when touching the skin.

Pustule 

A pustule is a pus containing dome shaped lesion with a fragile covering and the pus contains dead skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria. If a pustule does not develop into a cystic lesion in the deeper layers of the skin, it normally leaves no mark.

Macule 

When an acne lesion has healed or is healing, it normally leaves a macule which is a flat reddish spot with a well defined border and can be present for days or several months.

Nodule 

A nodule is a solid dome or irregular shaped lesion extending to the deeper layers of the skin and inflammation is present. Nodules can be painful and may cause tissue destruction leading to permanent scarring.

Cyst 

This sac-like lesion is larger than a pustule, but also contains dead skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria and its content can either be liquid or semi-liquid. Inflammation is normally present and is generally painful and also extends into the deeper layers of the skin and may result in permanent scarring of the skin.

Nodulocystic 

This refers to the presence of nodules and cysts appearing together on the skin, which is an extremely severe form of acne, and needs to be treated immediately as scarring will occur if left untreated.