Identify Your Condition

Acne Vulgaris:
 1.  Infections raise to pustules (pus filled pimples) on 
      the surface of the skin.
 2.  The pustules usually discharge this white pus.
 3.  Blackheads, cysts and papules may or may not be 
      present.
 4.  Occurs on the face, upper and lower back and 
      upper chest.
 5.  Some cystic acne conditions (see below) may also occur,
      but most infections raise to pustules.

Cystic Acne: 1.  Deep infections that are nodule or cyst-like.
2.  Infections do not raise to the surface and do not 
     discharge their infection waste material.
3.  Blackheads and whiteheads may or may not be 
     present.
4.  Infections heal very slowly and scarring is possible.

Acne Rosacea: 1.  A combination of rosacea and acne and the rosacea 
     should be diagnosed by a physician.
2.  Rosacea is characterized by periodic redness of the 
     skin, usually on the cheeks and spreading across 
     the nose.
3.  In more advanced cases flare-ups occur, followed by 
     crusty skin and excessive flaking.
 

Blackheads:
Blackheads are a combination of oils, sebum and cellular fragments that form firm to hard plugs within hair follicles.  Blackheads are open to the skin's surface and become darkened at the surface by exposure to oxygen.  When bacteria is added to these plugs, the condition can lead to acne.  

Whiteheads:
Whiteheads are a combination of oils, sebum and cellular fragments that form firm to hard plugs within the follicles.  They are usually deep in the skin and may or may not rise to the surface.  Because they are not exposed to oxygen they remain white or yellow-white, rather than dark brown like blackheads.  When bacteria is added to these plugs the condition can lead to acne.

Adult Acne:
Adult acne refers to acne that begins or continues into the adult years and it is not necessarily different from juvenile acne.  Refer to Acne Vulgaris and Cystic Acne above to determine the correct form of acne.