Types of Acne
Topic Overview
The different types of
acne include:1, 2
- Newborn acne. About 20% of newborns develop mild
acne. This may be because certain hormones are passed to them through the
placenta by their mothers just before delivery. Or newborns may get acne
because the stress of birth may cause the baby's body to release hormones.
Newborns with acne usually only have whiteheads. And these go away without
treatment.
- Infantile acne. Babies between 3 and 16 months of age may
develop infantile acne. They can have blackheads and pimples at the same time.
Infantile acne usually clears up by the time the child is 2 years old. The
pimples rarely leave scars. Infantile acne may be caused partly by
higher-than-normal hormone levels.
- Acne vulgaris. The most common type of acne is acne vulgaris. It appears most often in teens and young adults.
- Acne conglobata (cystic acne). Acne conglobata is a
rare but serious form of acne that occurs mainly in young men. In acne
conglobata, deep pimples develop on the face, chest, back, upper arms, and
thighs. This type of acne can be hard to treat and often leaves scars. Acne
conglobata may last well into adulthood.
- Acne fulminans. Acne fulminans is a severe form of
acne conglobata that occurs in teen boys. In acne fulminans, a large number of
pimples develop very quickly on the teen's back and chest. These pimples often
leave severe scars. Pimples do not usually develop on the teen's face. Teens
with acne fulminans often have a fever and also muscle and bone pain.
References
Citations
- Habif TP (2010). Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 5th ed., pp. 217–263. Philadelphia: Mosby.
- Zaenglein AL, et al. (2008). Acne vulgaris and
acneiform eruptions. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol. 1, pp. 690–703. New York:
McGraw-Hill Medical.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
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| Last Revised | February 3, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
February 3, 2011
Habif TP (2010). Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 5th ed., pp. 217–263. Philadelphia: Mosby.
Zaenglein AL, et al. (2008). Acne vulgaris and
acneiform eruptions. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol. 1, pp. 690–703. New York:
McGraw-Hill Medical.
