Pustular Acne

The onset of puberty is often marked by outbreaks of an unsightly skin condition called acne. It is not restricted to adolescence; even people who are in their mid thirties or forties also get acne. The root cause for development of acne is hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands, thereby resulting in clogged skin pores. Based on whether infection is present or not, it can be manifested in noninflammatory or inflammatory forms, out of which the latter is considered severe type of acne.

Pustular acne is an inflammatory skin condition, consisting of a white center surrounded by red skin areas. Mild cases of pustules with a few skin outbreaks may heal with time; whereas severe pustular acne with numerous, prominent pimples require therapeutic intervention. Understanding its causes pustular acne will help in combating the condition effectively. Though it is not a subject of utmost concern, proper treatment is imperative to minimize the risk of scarring and other skin complications.

What Causes Pustular Acne?

The causes of pustular acne are no different from other types of acne. Excess secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands block the skin pores, which over time lead to infections and swelling. In order to overcome infection, the body reacts by producing white blood cells (WBCs) and depositing on the site of infection. With time, the WBCs make their way to the skin topmost layer, causing pustular acne. They are filled with a mixture of dead skin cells, bacteria and white blood cells.

Commonly known as zits, pustular acne are raised from the surrounding skin areas. The shape of these pus filled lesions resembles a dome with a white or yellow portion in the middle. When there is intense inflammation of the pustules, they worsen and result into nodular pustular acne. With correct skin care and therapeutic approach, this acne do not leave skin scars. However, frequent touching the areas and irritating them will definitely cause unsightly scars.

Treatment

At any point of time, the best treatment for pustular acne is to prevent their onset by following precautionary measures. As mentioned already, mild pustules recover effectively with healthy skin care tips. Nevertheless, pustular nodular acne are serious skin problems, which should be treated as soon as possible. You can look out for over the counter acne skin care products (soap, lotion, cleansing formulation) that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as one of the active ingredients.

Never indulge in popping or scratching pustules, or else, they will cause scarring of the skin tissues. Many people tend to wash and scrub their face frequently, which in turn irritates the skin. In fact, do not touch them, unless you are cleaning your face. Stress management and consuming a healthy diet are other tips for acne control. Limiting intake of oily and spicy foods will help in reducing oil production by the sebaceous glands. In case, home remedies and over the counter ointments are not showing positive responses, consult a dermatologist.

Based on the severity of the condition, the dermatologist may recommend topical creams and lotions for treatment. While using, follow the instructions mentioned in the leaflet. In case of serious infections, oral antibiotics are prescribed for fighting against the bacteria. Apart from the therapeutic approach for the treatment of pustular acne, one should strictly follow recommended self care tips. Practice proper skin care instructions prescribed by the concerned dermatologist and pustular acne will disappear without further complications.