You might interchangeably use the terms acne and pimples, but it is interesting to note that these are not exactly the same. Acne, also known scientifically as acne vulgaris, is the disease that affects hair follicles on the face, chest, and back. This condition is characterized by multiple breakouts, and occurs when the hair follicles are clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. It is a common affliction that affects over 80 percent of teenagers, and 12 percent of women and three percent of men over the age of 25 years.
On the other hand, pimples are a symptom of acne that usually appear as swollen red bumps, often filled with pus. They crop up when your oil glands are clogged and become infected. While they most commonly occur during puberty, anyone of any age can get them. Popularly known as zits or spots, pimples vary in severity. The common types are blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. You may get just one or two only on occasion, but if they pop up frequently, you may be suffering from acne.
Hormonal changes are thought to be the leading cause of acne, particularly the rise in androgen levels that occurs during adolescence. Other factors that may possibly trigger acne include menstruation, emotional stress, cosmetics, and certain medications containing androgen and lithium.
Whatever the cause, there are different ways you could treat pimples and acne. If you find yourself with a zit or two (or more), here are some common remedies you could try, as well as ways to prevent them.
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