Blackheads Whiteheads Acne Guide - acne prevention, help, medical advice and information
Blackheads, Whiteheads, and
Mild Inflammatory Acne
Blackheads, whiteheads, and acne are three types of acne. Blackheads are named as such because they are typically black in color. It is not dirt that provides for the coloration, despite the name, but the accumulation of the dark pigment called melanin, skin particles, and excess skin debris. The other two types are whitehead and mild inflammatory acne known as papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.
The formation of blackheads are mainly due to excess sebum production by the sebaceous glands, and this is trapped in the pores of the skin. If sebum hardens near the upper layers of the skin it will clog the skin openings and form a plug. The formation of whiteheads is of the same manner, the only difference is the plugs are seated much deeper in the skin.
Mild inflammatory acne is formed when an infection under the plug starts due to the overproduction of white blood cells battling against the Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes. The area then becomes red and inflamed.
Papules and pustules are the two forms of mild inflammatory acne cause redness and inflammation. They are characterized by the collection of white matter in the center of the pus.
Homeopathics are generally bought over-the-counter as well as the safer alternative using organic chemicals that are found in fruits and certain seeds. These are a simple set of treatments that may prove useful as initial pre-treatment medications for blackheads, whiteheads, and mild inflammatory acnes. These, however, are not typically prescribed by dermatologists or physicians and are not yet proven medically. These such treatments may be used individually or combined, like in the case of the salicylic acid which must always be combined with ether alcohol or acetone. The most basic homeopathics which may be used without a doctor's prescription are benzoyl peroxide and soap and water.
Though, in the more severe cases, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, contraceptive antibiotics, and acne surgery may be performed. Before this takes place, the health condition of the patient must be tested and approved by the physician. If there is a pre-existing condition the schedule for treatment may be delayed and re-scheduled until the skin condition subsides.
The popping of whiteheads, blackheads or mild inflammatory acne is not recommended without regulation of a dcotor as this may cause infection and worsen the state of the skin disorder. Popping the pustule or the plugs in whiteheads and blackheads may leave the skin open to bacterial attack that may lead to scarring.
Oral and topical medications must not be used without the supervision of a physician. Topical medications are aids in neutralizing the bacteria found in the skin. When combined with other chemical agents these may help deplete overproduced sebum making an allowance for acne spots to eventually heal.
The last resort in treatment that may be applied to whiteheads, blackheads, and mild inflammatory acne is acne surgery which must be performed by an expert in the field. This form of treatment is seldom sought by acne-inflicted persons with mild cases. Surgical procedures may provide great improvements in the skin's appearance and may later save the patient for succeeding surgeries which may be caused by scarring due to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
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