Pimples

A pimple is a result of a blockage of the skin's pore. It can be a pustule or papule.[1]

Contents [hide] 1 Causes 2 Treatment 2.1 Over-the-counter medications 2.2 Prescription medication 2.3 Popping 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Causes Inside the pore are sebaceous glands which produce sebum. When the outer layers of skin shed (as they do continuously), the dead skin cells left behind may become 'glued' together by the sebum. This causes a blockage in the pore, especially when the skin becomes thicker at puberty.[2] The sebaceous glands produce more sebum which builds up behind the blockage, and this sebum harbours various bacteria including the species Propionibacterium acnes.

[edit] Treatment See also: Acne vulgaris#Treatments [edit] Over-the-counter medications Common over-the-counter medications for pimples are benzoyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid and antibacterial agents such as Triclosan. Both medications can be found in many creams and gels used to treat acne through topical application. Both medications help skin slough off more easily, which helps to remove bacteria faster. A regimen of keeping the affected skin area clean plus the regular application of these topical medications is usually enough to keep acne under control, if not at bay altogether. 1-2% of the population is allergic to benzoyl peroxide treatments.

[edit] Prescription medication Severe acne usually indicates the necessity of prescription medication to treat pimples. Prescription medications used to treat acne include isotretinoin, which is a retinoid. Historically, antibiotics such as tetracyclines and erythromycin were prescribed. While they were more effective than topical applications of benzoyl peroxide, the bacteria eventually grew resistant to the antibiotics and the treatments became less and less effective. Also, antibiotics had more side effects than topical applications, such as stomach cramps and severe discoloration of teeth.

[edit] Popping The popping of pimples is never medically recommended. It can lead to bleeding and scarring. But it is a popular method to relieve the discomfort some pimples inflict, it also immediately destroys the pimple. Popping is done by applying pressure around the area, forcing or "popping" the clog out of the pore. The result can be varied, anything from nothing but a small red mark that will heal in less than a day, to a small puncture wound that will scab over and heal, or a scar. Bleeding can be none to little, or it could bleed heavily.

[edit] See also Acne vulgaris Blackhead Nubbit - colloquial term for the hard centre of the pimple (blockage) that must be removed when popping to prevent re-emergence of the pimple.

[edit] References ^ pimple at Dorland's Medical Dictionary ^ Anderson, Laurence. 2006. Looking Good, the Australian guide to skin care, cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgery. AMPCo. Sydney. ISBN 0 85557 044 X. [show]v • d • eDiseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (integumentary system) (L, 680-709)

Infections Bacterial skin disease Staphylococcus (Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, Impetigo, Boil, Carbuncle) · Strep (Impetigo) · Corynebacterium (Erythrasma)

Viral skin disease Wart · Molluscum contagiosum · Erythema infectiosum · Exanthema subitum · Herpes simplex (Herpetic whitlow, Eczema herpeticum)

General Cellulitis (Paronychia) · Acute lymphadenitis · Pilonidal cyst · Pimple (Pustule)

Bullous disorders acantholysis (Pemphigus, Transient acantholytic dermatosis) · Pemphigoid (Bullous, Cicatricial, Gestational) · Dermatitis herpetiformis

Inflammatory Dermatitis and eczema Atopic dermatitis · Seborrhoeic dermatitis (Dandruff, Cradle cap) · Contact dermatitis (Diaper rash, Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis) · Erythroderma · Lichen simplex chronicus/Prurigo nodularis · Itch (Pruritus ani, Pruritus scroti, Pruritus vulvae) · Nummular dermatitis · Dyshidrosis · Pityriasis alba

Papulosquamous disorders Psoriasis (Psoriatic arthritis) · Parapsoriasis (Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, Pityriasis lichenoides chronica, Lymphomatoid papulosis) · other pityriasis (Pityriasis rosea, Pityriasis rubra pilaris) · other lichenoid (Lichen planus, Lichen nitidus)

Urticaria Dermatographic urticaria · Cold urticaria · Cholinergic urticaria · Solar urticaria

Erythema Erythema multiforme/ drug eruption Stevens-Johnson syndrome · Toxic epidermal necrolysis · Erythema nodosum · Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis

Other erythema Erythema annulare centrifugum · Erythema marginatum · Keratolytic winter erythema · Necrolytic migratory erythema · Erythema toxicum

Radiation-related disorders Sunburn · actinic rays (Actinic keratosis, Actinic cheilitis) · Polymorphous light eruption (Acne aestivalis) · Radiodermatitis · Erythema ab igne

Pigmentation/ Dyschromia hypopigmentation (Albinism, Vitiligo) · hyperpigmentation (Melasma, Freckle, Café au lait spot, Lentigo/Liver spot, Acanthosis nigricans, Acral acanthotic anomaly)

Other skin keratosis/hyperkeratosis (Seborrheic keratosis, Callus) · other epidermal thickening (Ichthyosis acquisita, Palmoplantar keratoderma)

skin ulcer (Pyoderma gangrenosum, Bedsore)

Cutaneous Markers of Internal Malignancy (Florid cutaneous papillomatosis, acanthosis nigricans, sign of Leser-Trelat)

atrophic (Lichen sclerosus, Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans)

necrobiosis (Granuloma annulare, Necrobiosis lipoidica) · other granuloma (Granuloma faciale, Pyogenic granuloma)

cutaneous vasculitis (Livedoid vasculitis, Erythema elevatum diutinum)

Connective tissues collagen disease: Keloid localized connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus (Discoid lupus erythematosus, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus) · Scleroderma/Morphea · Linear scleroderma · Calcinosis cutis · Sclerodactyly · Ainhum

integument, SF, LCT navs: anat/physio, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

[show]v • d • eSymptoms and signs: skin and subcutaneous tissue (R20-R23, 782)

Disturbances of skin sensation/ somatosensory disorder Hypoesthesia · Paresthesia (Formication) · Hyperesthesia

Hypoalgesia · Hyperalgesia

Circulation Cyanosis · Pallor · Flushing · Petechia

Edema Peripheral edema · Anasarca

Other Rash · Desquamation · Induration · Diaphoresis

integument, SF, LCT navs: anat/physio, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc skin appendage navs: anat, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

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