Search results
Jul 4, 2024 · Papules are comedones that become inflamed, forming small red or pink bumps on the skin. This type of pimple may be sensitive to the touch. Picking or squeezing can make the inflammation worse...
- Overview
- What is a papule?
- How do acne papules form?
- What causes papules?
- Treating papules
- It might not be a papule
- Takeaway
Acne is a very common skin condition. It affects many people across ages, genders, and regions.
There are many different types of acne, too. Knowing your specific type of acne will help you choose the right treatment.
Acne develops when a skin pore (hair follicle) becomes clogged with oil and skin cells. Bacteria feed on this excess oil and multiply. At this stage, the clogged pore can develop into one of two categories of acne:
•Inflammatory acne. Inflamed acne includes papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.
•Noninflammatory acne. This type includes blackheads and whiteheads.
Read on to learn why papules form and how to stop them in their tracks.
A papule is a small red bump. Its diameter is usually less than 5 millimeters (about 1/5 of an inch).
Papules don’t have a yellow or white center of pus. When a papule does accumulate pus, it becomes a pustule.
Most papules become pustules. This process commonly takes a few days.
While tempting, it’s recommended to not pop pustules. Doing so can risk bacteria spreading further as well as scarring.
When excess oil and skin cells clog a skin pore, the blockage is known as a comedo. The oil in this clogged pore feeds bacteria that live on your skin called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes).
A microcomedone is formed during this process. You can often see and feel the microcomedone. It can develop into a larger structure called a comedone.
The primary causes of papules, and acne in general, include:
•bacteria
•excess oil production
•excess activity of androgens (male sex hormones)
Acne can also be triggered or aggravated by:
•stress
Your doctor may recommend starting with nonprescription acne treatments, like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. If these aren’t effective after a few weeks, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist who can prescribe stronger medications.
For inflammatory acne, your dermatologist may prescribe topical dapsone (Aczone). Other topical recommendations might include:
•Retinoid (and retinoid-like) drugs. Retinoids include adapalene (Differin), tretinoin (Retin-A), and tazarotene (Tazorac).
•Antibiotics. Topical antibiotics can kill excess bacteria on the skin and reduce redness. They’re typically used with other treatments, such as erythromycin with benzoyl peroxide (Benzamycin) or clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide (BenzaClin). Sometimes antibiotics are used with retinoids.
Based on the severity of your acne, your dermatologist might recommend oral medications, such as:
•Antibiotics. Examples include a macrolide like azithromycin or erythromycin, or a tetracycline like doxycycline or minocycline.
If you have a papule that’s large and seems to be especially swollen and painful, it might not actually be a papule. It could be an acne nodule.
Nodules and papules are similar, but nodules start deeper in the skin. Nodules are more severe than papules. They commonly take more time to heal and have a higher risk of leaving a scar.
A papule looks like a tiny, raised bump on the skin. It develops from excess oil and skin cells clogging a pore.
Papules have no visible pus. Typically the papule will fill with pus in a few days. Once pus is visible on the surface of the skin, it’s called a pustule.
- Scott Frothingham
Acne papules are small, inflamed bumps caused by excess oil in your skin, bacteria, hormones and some medications. They don’t have a pus-filled tip like other forms of acne. Treatments include over-the-counter and prescription medications.
May 31, 2023 · For instance, mild acne is characterized by up to 30 blackheads, whiteheads, and small papules or pustules. A person with severe acne will have over 100 pustules, papules, and cysts, and...
- Jennifer Huizen
Aug 31, 2023 · What Acne Vulgaris Looks Like and How to Treat It. Symptoms. Pictures. Causes. Treatments. Lifestyle changes. Coping. FAQ. Takeaway. Acne vulgaris refers to the pimples, blackheads, or just...
- Joan Oleck
- Acne happens when the sebaceous glands overreact to typical levels of androgen hormones circulating in the body. Experts don't know exactly why thi...
- Acne vulgaris is the common form of acne, usually just called acne. There are some different types of acne, including cystic acne, or severe nodula...
- A wide range of medications can help manage acne, including topical preparations that contain antibiotics, retinoids, or salicylic acid. For severe...
Jul 26, 2024 · An acne papule is a type of inflamed blemish more commonly known as a pimple or zit. It looks like a slightly raised red bump on the skin. Papules form when there is a high break in the pore wall. An acne papule often turns into a pustule, a pimple that is filled with white or yellow pus.
Mar 30, 2019 · Pustules and papules are more moderate forms of acne. These may or may not clear up with OTC meds. Widespread moderate acne may require an oral or topical prescription from a dermatologist.
