Blackheads, Whiteheads and Mild Inflammatory Acne 

Blackheads are named as such because they are typically black in color. Despite the name, it is not dirt that provides the discoloration but the accumulation of the dark pigment called melanin, skin particles and excess skin debris.

A blackhead is one type of mild acne. The other two are whitehead and mild inflammatory acne known as papules, pustules nodules and cysts.

Fundamentally, blackhead formations are formed mainly due to excess sebum (an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands, and 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. Whitehead are formed in the same manner, the only difference is the plugs are seated much deeper in the skin.

When an infection under the plug starts due to the overproduction of white blood cells battling against the Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes, mild inflammatory acne is formed. The area then becomes red and inflamed.

There are two forms of mild inflammatory acne. There are the papules, which are red, inflamed acne, and the other type are called pustules. Pustules are characterized by the collection of white matter in the center of the pus.

A simple set of treatments may prove useful as initial pre-treatment medications for blackheads, whiteheads and mild inflammatory acne.   These are typically not prescribed by dermatologists and physicians and are not yet proven medically. Some of these are “home remedies” or those that are generally bought over the counter, or the safer alternative through using organic chemicals that are found in fruits and certain seeds.

Treatments such as these may be used individually or combination, as in the case of salicylic acid which must always be combined with either alcohol or acetone if you do not want to be bothered with the smell.

Benzoyl peroxide and plain soap and water are the most basic remedy which may be used even without a doctor’s prescription. In most severe cases though; topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, contraceptive antibiotics and acne surgery may be performed. Prior to this, the health condition of the patient must be reviewed by the physician.

Under any circumstance, an acne-inflicted person must not try to squeeze their whiteheads, blackheads or the other forms of mild inflammatory acne. Popping the pustule of the acne or the plugs in whiteheads and blackheads may leave the skin open to bacterial attack, which may lead to scarring. It can cause the acne to spread as well.

Oral medications must not be used without the supervision of a physician. Topical medications aid in neutralizing the bacteria found in the skin, and when combined with other chemical agents, may help dry out the sebum.

Many people have found success in treating mild cases of acne with specific herbal supplements as well as topical products, even when other over the counter applications have failed. You can learn more about these natural treatments for mild inflammatory acne here.

Other Crohns Disease Sites Of Interest

crohns-disease-and-stress.com - If you or someone you know has Crohn's Disease, and would like to learn a lot of ways to reduce the stress and fatigue it causes, click here