Pimples

A pimple, also known as a zit or spot, is a small papule or pustule, which is a small skin lesion or inflammation of the skin. Pimples are oil glands (sebaceous glands) that are infected with bacteria, become inflamed, and then fill up with pus. Pimples are caused when the sebaceous glands located at the base of hair follicles become overactive. The most vulnerable parts of the body are the face, back, chest and shoulders. Pimples are palpable signs of acne, especially when a breakout occurs.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71702.php

The sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, exist inside the pores of the skin. The outer layers of the skin are being shed continuously. Dead skin cells are sometimes left behind and get stuck together by the sticky sebum, which causes a blockage in the pore. Blockage is more likely to occur during puberty, the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. This accumulated and blocked sebum has bacteria. This slow-growing bacterium is linked to acne. This bacteria can exist harmlessly on the skin, but when conditions are right, it can reproduce more rapidly and become a problem. The bacterium feeds off the sebum and produces a substance that causes an immune response, leading to inflammation of the skin and spots.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71702.php

The skin of people who are prone to acne are especially sensitive to normal blood levels of testosterone, which is a natural hormone found in both males and females. In such people, the testosterone can make the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, making the clogging up of dead skin cells more likely, which, in turn, can increase the probability of blocking the pores.

• A person cannot catch pimples from another person and they are not considered to be infectious.
• There is no scientifically compelling evidence to prove that pimples are caused by a person's diet.
• It has been proven that having pimples or acne can be hereditary.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71702.php

There are four different types of common pimples. They are:http://www.acne.org/types-of-acne.html

• Whiteheads - Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the surface. Whiteheads are normally quicker in life cycle than blackheads.
• Blackheads - Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt. Rather, it is the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air. A blackhead tends to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to clear.
• Papules - Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Do not squeeze a papule. It will do no good, and may exacerbate scarring.
• Pustules - A pustule is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center. Pustules are your garden variety zit.

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