Inflammatory Acne: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment (2024)

What is inflammatory acne?

Inflammatory acne is a skin condition that causes red, swollen and sore bumps. These pimples contain pus, dead skin cells and excess oil. They’re common on your face, back, chest and shoulders.

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What’s the difference: Inflammatory acne vs noninflammatory acne?

The pimples associated with inflammatory acne are deep in your skin and contain pus. They're inflamed (swollen), so they tend to be sore or painful. One type of inflammatory acne is cystic acne.

The blemishes associated with noninflammatory acne are closer to your skin’s surface and usually aren’t swollen or painful. A common type of noninflammatory acne is comedonal acne (whiteheads and blackheads).

How common is inflammatory acne?

Inflammatory acne is very common. It affects all ages, races and genders. It’s most common in teenagers, but it also affects many adults.

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Who might get inflammatory acne?

Acne is more common in people who:

  • Consume a lot of milk, sugars and fats.
  • Live in areas with high humidity.
  • Overhydrate their skin or use the wrong moisturizer.
  • Pick or squeeze their skin to pop whiteheads or blackheads.
  • Smoke.
Inflammatory Acne: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment (2024)

FAQs

What are the different types of inflammatory acne? ›

Types of inflammatory acne blemishes include: Pustules: Bump raised on the surface of your skin that contains pus. Nodules: Large, hard bumps buried beneath your skin. Cysts: Large, soft, fluid-filled bumps beneath your skin.

What causes inflammation that causes acne? ›

SEBACEOUS GLAND ACTIVITY IS A DRIVER OF INFLAMMATION IN ACNE

Postsynthetic modifications in lipid composition also occur during acne lesion formation, and accumulation of lipid peroxides may be responsible for inflammatory changes in comedones.

How do you reduce acne inflammation fast? ›

The first step in calming down an angry, painful pimple is to apply ice. Wrap some ice in a cloth and press it against the inflamed area for 3 to 4 minutes at a time. If the ice melts too quickly, throw a few cubes in a plastic sandwich bag before wrapping in cloth.

What causes acne and treatment? ›

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent.

What does inflammatory acne look like? ›

Pustules are another kind of inflamed pimple. They resemble a whitehead with a red ring around the bump. The bump is typically filled with white or yellow pus. Avoid picking or squeezing pustules.

How do you know if your acne is inflammatory? ›

Inflamed acne consists of swelling, redness, and pores that are deeply clogged with bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells. Sometimes, bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P.

Is inflammatory acne hormonal or bacterial? ›

Type of lesion: Bacterial acne is more likely to present as inflamed pimples, pustules, and cysts that are frequently red and tender to the touch, whereas hormonal acne is more likely to manifest as deep, painful cysts.

What bacteria causes inflammatory acne? ›

Propionibacterium acnes Infection

P. acnes is a gram-positive commensal bacterium that causes acne on the skin. P. acnes releases lipase that produces fatty acids by digesting sebum, creating inflammation of the skin.

How to reduce skin inflammation on face? ›

If your skin is inflamed, applying a cool compress can help reduce redness and soothe itching and burning sensations. Take an antihistamine to help reduce redness and itching caused by an allergic reaction. Use a topical corticosteroid to reduce skin inflammation and redness as it suppresses the immune response.

What calms inflamed acne? ›

Benzoyl peroxide.

Because it helps fight bacteria that cause inflammation, benzoyl peroxide is a good ingredient to treat acne.

How do you calm inflamed acne overnight? ›

How to reduce pimple redness overnight
  1. Wash your face. ...
  2. Switch your pillowcases and sheets. ...
  3. Hydrocolloid bandages. ...
  4. OTC spot treatments. ...
  5. Green tea cold compress. ...
  6. Diluted tea tree oil. ...
  7. Cortisone injection.

How long does it take for acne inflammation to go down? ›

Severe cases could take up to 12 months to heal completely. However, most people start seeing improvements within 3 months of acne treatment. Although, it is important to note that inflammatory acne can be a chronic condition that can come back even after treatment [4].

What age is acne the worst? ›

Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.

What diseases cause acne? ›

Here are some acne-causing medical conditions to be aware of.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs among females and commonly affects the menstrual cycle. ...
  • Cushing's syndrome. ...
  • Androgen-secreting tumors.

What medical conditions cause acne? ›

Acne may be a feature in many endocrine disorders, including polycystic ovary disease, Cushing syndrome, CAH, androgen-secreting tumors, and acromegaly. Other nonendocrine diseases associated with acne include Apert syndrome, SAPHO syndrome, Behçet syndrome and PAPA syndrome.

How do I identify what type of acne I have? ›

Grade 1 (mild): Mostly whiteheads and blackheads, with a few papules and pustules. Grade 2 (moderate or pustular acne): Multiple papules and pustules, mostly on your face. Grade 3 (moderately severe or nodulocystic acne): Numerous papules and pustules, along with occasionally inflamed nodules.

What are the 4 types of acne pimples? ›

There are four main types of pimples: papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Papules and pustules can be treated at home. Try a benzoyl peroxide cleanser or a salicylic spot treatment.

What is the difference between inflamed and noninflamed acne? ›

Acne may be inflamed or noninflamed. Inflamed acne is more severe, and it can cause redness, swelling, and discomfort. Noninflamed acne is usually responsible for blackheads and whiteheads. Inflamed acne occurs deeper within the skin than noninflamed acne, and it can cause pain and permanent scarring.

What is type 4 acne? ›

Grade 2: Inflammatory lesions present as a small papule with erythema. Grade 3: Pustules. Grade 4: Many pustules coalesce to form nodules and cysts called nodulocystic acne.

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