What is the difference between a whitehead and a pustule

Nodules are hard to the touch, while cysts are soft. Small pustules can heal on their own over time without any intervention, but treatments and home remedies can speed up this process. People should try to keep the skin around the pustules clean and free of oil. They can do this by washing the area with warm water and mild soap twice a day. Over-the-counter OTC creams, ointments, and soaps can help, particularly those that contain any of the following:.

It is important to avoid picking at or popping a pustule. Doing this can cause further damage and extend the healing process. If home remedies do not work, people can speak to their doctor about prescription treatments. These stronger medications can often remove the pustules.

Acne products can dry out the skin. People with sensitive skin should look for products that are less irritating and could help moisturize the skin. If the skin becomes inflamed, a person should stop using the product. Read about home remedies for acne here. People can often prevent pustules by cleaning the areas of skin that are prone to pimples and keeping them oil free.

Cleaning should occur at least twice a day and include a mild soap. It is best to avoid using products that contain oils. These products include many types of moisturizer and some sunscreens.

The oil can clog the pores and cause pustules to form. The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a disease and pimples are one of its symptoms. Under your skin, your pores are connected to glands that make an oily substance known as sebum.

When sebum and dead skin cells clump together, they form a plug in the follicle. Bacteria in the plug causes inflammation, leading to red pimples in acne. Dermatologists typically prescribe a topical retinoid for your acne, such as topical tretinoin or adapalene. Learn more about the benefits of retinoids for skin.

Any other prescriptions or recommendations may depend on the type of acne being treated. Sometimes, over-the-counter OTC medications are recommended as well. In addition to topical retinoids , prescription topical medications commonly used to treat acne include:. Freshwater, D, Masiln-Prothero, S. Blackwell's Nursing Dictionary. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley; Acne: Do lotions, tablets or light-based treatment help?

Stearn, M. The Must-Have Health Guide. Plewig and Kligman's Acne and Rosacea. Kosmadaki M, Katsambas A. Topical Treatments for Acne. Clinics in Dermatology. Saurat JH. Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Pimples: Red and Inflamed This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo. Pimple Types and How to Treat Them.

Blackheads: Not Inflamed Blackheads are non-inflamed blemishes. Non-Inflamed Acne Blemishes. Pimples: Red or White Head There are actually many different types of pimples crazy, right? How Pimples Develop. How Blackheads Develop. Treating Pimples Plenty of pimple-busting products and medications are available. Some of the most common treatments for inflamed breakouts are: Benzoyl peroxide Topical retinoids Topical antibiotics and oral antibiotics Oral medications like isotretinoin and birth control pills for biological females only Remember, don't pop inflamed pimples.

Treating Blackheads Because blackheads occur at the skin's surface, you can gently squeeze blackheads to remove them gently being the operative word. A Word from Verywell Although inflamed pimples and blackheads are different types of acne blemishes, they get their start the same basic way: as a plug of oil within the pore. Was this page helpful? More severe inflammatory types of acne tend to take much longer to clear up.

A person should speak to a doctor or dermatologist if whiteheads, blackheads, papules, or pustules:. Most active ingredients in OTC products also are available in prescription-strength treatments. A doctor may prescribe these if a person experiences severe acne symptoms.

Dermatologists can treat large, persistent lesions. They can also remove those that do not respond to other forms of treatment. A person should always see a doctor or dermatologist about nodules and cysts because these require medical care. Untreated nodules and cysts, and those that have been picked or popped, can cause scarring. Acne can present as non-inflammatory blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads. These result from a buildup of dead skin and oil in hair follicles and are most common on the face, back, and chest.

If these blockages become infected by bacteria, they may become inflamed. Inflammatory forms of acne can range from mild bumps, such as papules and pustules, to more severe forms, such as nodules and cysts. However, a person will be able to manage most forms of acne at home with OTC remedies. In more extreme cases, a doctor may prescribe topical ointments, antibiotics, or procedural intervention to reduce the formation of acne.

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Blood-filled pimples occur after someone picks, squeezes, or pops a regular pimple. Learn about how to treat and prevent them here. Whiteheads are type of acne lesion. We look at ten popular home remedies to help get rid of them, how they work, and self-care to prevent whiteheads.