The term acne is derived from the Greek word Acne which means skin eruption. In medical circle, it is known as Acne Vulgaris. Acne or pimples is a disorder that causes your skin to inflame due to changes in the sebaceous or oil glands found on your skin and hair follicles. It includes different types of pimples such as blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, papules, pustules and alike.

Causes
Acne vulgaris may be caused due to a single trigger or a combination of causes of acne such as stress, blocked pores, hormonal imbalance, and make up amongst others.

Treatments
You have a whole array of acne treatments to select from:
* OTC medications
* Prescription treatments
* Natural and herbal treatments
* Surgical procedures
* Alternative treatments
Apart from these, you could also keep the condition under control and treat it some extent with the help of various home remedies.

Prevention
Prevention is always better than cure. You can not eliminate acne completely. But, by managing your skin well and taking the right diet you can surely decrease the chances of aggravated breakouts. It is thus best to learn about acne prevention at the first place.

Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. They are small, pink, raised spots that should not be squeezed. It does no good but, further aggravates the situation.

Blackheads are non-inflammatory acne present in the form of black spots. They may be a cause behind other severe forms of acne which are inflammatory in nature and cause pain.

Read more about Blackheads

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It is a condition different from acne but is often thought to be a type of acne.

Read more about Rosacea

Cysts are the most serious kind of acne blemish. Presence of these cysts is known to be Cystic Acne. It is one of the most severe types of acne.

Read more about Cystic Acne

Pimple is a tiny red swelling of the skin. If pimples appear repeatedly, the process is termed as acne. Pimples are also known as Zits. Pimples may occur anywhere on the body but are usually found on face, back, neck and buttocks.

Causes
The causes behind pimples are same as usual causes behind acne. Blocked skin pores and hormonal imbalance are known to be the primary causes behind occurrence of pimples.

Treatment
Prescription medicines, home remedies, OTC medications , surgical procedures.  Also, a perfect diet routine and some skin care tips can come to your help.

Prevention
As the causes of pimples may vary from person to person, the best way to prevent pimples is to identify your individual triggers and then keep a check on them.

When a pore is completely blocked with sebum, bacteria, and dead skin, causing a white appearance on the surface, it is called a whitehead. Whiteheads typically occur on the fine and more delicate areas of the face. Cheekbones, temples, forehead, area under the eye are some common areas that are more prone to whiteheads.

Causes
Whiteheads are caused as a result of completely blocked skin pores. The sebaceous glands present under the skin surface may become overactive and secrete excessive sebum due to various internal changes. This sebum along with dead skin cells, dirt, debris and other impurities gets trapped in the skin pore to form a whitehead.

Treatment
Benzoyl Peroxide is usually very effective in treating whiteheads. This medication serves a dual purpose. It has antibacterial properties, hence it can ensure healing.

Sulfur and resorcinol are two powerful healing agents. They contribute to the process of breaking the whiteheads. Salicylic acid based medications can help decrease shedding of dead skin cells.

Prevention
Cleansing your skin is the most important prevention measure for whiteheads. Since they are caused by blocked skin pores, cleansing the skin on a regular basis can help you avoid the problem.

Cosmetics and acne are closely related to each other. At times cosmetics can also trigger acne. This acne is called as acne cosmetica. It can happen to even those people who are generally not susceptible to acne.

Causes
This condition, if developed as a response to certain cosmetics, is reversible and can be cured by not using that particular cosmetic.

Prevention
People who are prone to acne should avoid using cosmetics. If it is possible use, only water based cosmetics. Also, check if they are noncomedogenic. Avoid make up products with a strong fragrance as they can trigger an allergic reaction. Instead, use products with a very lightly fragrance. Apply moisturizers evenly with a light hand. This prevents deposition of excess products at different spots.

Treatment
Acne Cosmetica can be treated by discontinuing the use of the particular cosmetics that may be causing the problem. Also, you could go for a few home remedies to ease the condition.

Nodules are characterized by large and hard bumps that are formed deep below the surface of the skin. This severe acne type is accompanied by extreme swelling, itching and inflammation. In some cases, nodular acne or nodulocystic acne may be painful. This acne type may leave behind permanent scars.

Causes
This severe acne type is primarily caused as result of acute hormonal imbalance. Considering the severity of this acne form, it is advised that you do not touch or try to pop or squeeze these pimples.

Prevention
Prevention of nodules starts with proper treatment as soon as you see initial signs of acne. If you take a treatment at the very onset, the problem may not reach a worse stage.

Treatment
Dealing with acne nodules can be difficult. But nevertheless, there are quite a few acne treatments that can help you get rid of the problem. Isotretinoin is one effective name. But it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist before you set out to fight this severe acne form in the best manner.

Its proportionate possibility in males and females is not yet known but it might affect any of the two. It is characterized by cysts and pustules.

Causes
Causes behind the occurrence of Gram-Negative Folliculitis may be as the usual causes of acne.

Prevention
Avoiding tight fitting clothes, shaving with care, maintaining proper cleanliness in the swimming pools and Jacuzzis can help prevent this condition.

Treatment
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is often effective in combating Gram-Negative Folliculitis. But, care should be taken that it may be taken only under strict medical guidance.

Pyoderma faciale is a severe form of acne which is usually found in adult women. It usually attacks the face, cheeks, chin and forehead. It can also resemble Rosacea. It starts abruptly and does not persist for more than a year. It does not affect males and is confined to the face alone. These are large red nodules or pustules that may be painful and leave permanent scars.

Prevention
* Management of Pyoderma faciale is quite a difficult task.
* It requires strict medical supervision.
* Your dermatologist would be your best guide for the management of this severe form of acne.

Causes
There is no specific cause behind occurrence of this condition. Although general causes of acne have been attributed to lead to this condition.

Treatment
This is a very rare condition and has no specific medication as such. However, your dermatologist may prescribe a combination of antibiotics and Isotretinoin, depending on the severity of your condition.

Acne Fulminans is the severe form of Acne conglobata and is usually found in males. It affects the chest and the back mostly and is really a severe form of acne. It is characterized by abrupt onset, pain in joints, severe scarring, fluctuating fever, loss of appetite, nodular acne on chest and back, and reduced white blood cells count.

Causes
Acne Fulminans may be a result of hormonal imbalance and over active P. acne bacteria.

Prevention
1. It is often problematic to manage this severe form of acne.
2. Therefore, strict medical supervision is required to cope with this situation.

Treatment
The medications for Acne Fulminans consist of high doses of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, oral steroids and Isotretinoin. They should, however, be taken under the strict prescription of your dermatologist.

Moreover, it is always advisable that you consult your doctor from the very onset. Any kind of ignorance may lead to severe repercussions.

Acne Conglobata is the most severe form of acne and is generally found in males. It consists of large lesions, which sometimes may be interconnected, accompanied by blackheads. It is capable of causing severe damage to skin with long lasting scars. It usually starts appearing between the age of 18 and 30 years and may exist for any period of time. It generally attacks the face, chest, back, thighs, upper arms and buttocks.

Causes
Just like other forms of acne, the causes of acne conglobata could be many. The triggers in every individual may be different.

Prevention
Prevention is not really a possibility for Acne Conglobata. All you can do is to try and prevent suffering from even mild forms of acne. Management is possible only while you stay under constant medical supervision to avoid any kind of further complications.

Treatment
Isotretinoin is the recommended treatment and needs to be started early to prevent scarring. It is usually taken for a period of six months to a year. Also, oral antibiotics can be prescribed by your dermatologist. Topical treatment often proves ineffective in the case of conglobata.

Pomade or Comedonal acne refers to the kind of acne that is basically in the form of comedones, that is, blackheads or whiteheads. They can affect the people of any age group and are mainly found on the forehead and the chin.

Causes
They are caused when sebum blocks the skin pores and is further aggravated by humid conditions, hormonal factors and oily products.

Treatment
It can be treated with the help of 'comedolytic' topical agents consisting of benzoyl peroxide, Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid, Retinoids, and Glycolic acid. Also Isotretinoin, antibiotics and Hormonal therapy can be used. Apart from these, there are also certain surgeries such as Cryotherapy and Microdermabrasion which can cure Pomade acne.

Prevention
1. Use oil free cosmetics and products.
2. Wash your face twice, everyday with a mild soap and water.

The literal meaning of 'excoriate' is to scratch the skin. It often leads to permanent scarring. It is found more in females than males of all age groups. It generally occurs on the face, chest and back.

Causes
If a person spends hours in front of the mirror, trying to squeeze and nail every blemish, excoriated acne happens.

Prevention
1. Keep your hands off the pimples so as to cause minimum damage.
2. Try to keep your skin clean.

Treatment
Oral Isotretinoin is helpful in curing excoriated acne. Apart from this, the patient may also need to take some antidepressants because to cure it solely, psychological aid is also required. It prevents the patient from squeezing the blemishes further.

There are also other types of mild to moderate acne that can attack you. Although there is not much of hullabaloo attached to these mild forms, timely treatment is always recommended to avoid further complications.

Pustules are similar to whiteheads, but are inflamed. They appear as red circles with a white or yellow center.