Acne Skin Changes
Acne Skin Changes
Papules and pustules are primary lesions which are up to 5 mm in size with a raised red base. Nodules and cysts are larger lesions and are associated with more severe acne. Cysts and nodules on the skin can lead to scarring. They are more commonly found in males and smokers as mentioned previously. When an inflammatory lesion begins to resolve, the lesion turns into an area of redness without any elevation (flat) termed a macule. Under certain circumstances, diverse combinations of the above mentioned lesions may be present. Grading of acne is always attempted by experienced dermatologists and family doctors, who see and treat the majority of acne patients. Focusing on the most severe lesions present is crucial, as acne severity truly guides treatment choices.
GRADES OF ACNE AND TREATMENTS:
Grading of acne has changed over time and presently varies depending on your source. Strict grading is most important in clinical trials. Acne is usually graded, in terms of signs of severity of inflammation, which just defines how severe the inflammation is on the patients skin. This allows a physician to provide the patient with prognosis concerning how long it will possible take to clear the acne, if scarring is a possibility, and most importantly, what is the best medication and treatment, with the most benefits over harms, for that type of acne. For example, for simple acne, which consists of only comedones, it would not be wise to use an oral retinoid, such as Accutane (TM), as the side-effects of this type of medication out weight its benefits. However, in severe acne, with cysts and/or nodules, the use of Accutane (TM) would be the best, as it would remove any severe, scar threatening lesions, fater than any other medication.
Acne Grades
Type 1 Non-inflammatory acne, consisting of only comedones
Type 2 Inflammatory acne, consisting of only papules with or without pustules, and comedones
Type 3 Nodular acne, consisting of nodules, with lesions from Types 1 and 2 also.
The term cystic acne or nodulocystic is not appropriate, as there are no true cysts present in acne.