Classification of acne

The different types of acne include:^{1, 2}

• Newborn acne. About 20% of newborns develop mild acne. This may be because certain hormones are passed to them through the placenta by their mothers just before delivery, or because the stress of birth may cause the baby's body to release hormones. Newborns with acne usually only have whiteheads. And they go away without treatment.
• Infantile acne. Babies between 6 and 16 months may develop infantile acne. They can develop blackheads and pimples at the same time. Infantile acne can last until the child is 2 years old. The pimples rarely leave scars. Children with infantile acne are more likely to develop severe acne during their teen years. The cause of infantile acne is not known.
• Acne vulgaris. The most common type of acne in teens and young adults is acne vulgaris. It affects about 17 million people in the United States. Acne vulgaris appears most often in people between the ages of 12 to 24.³
• Acne conglobata (cystic acne). Acne conglobata is a rare but serious form of acne that occurs in young men. In acne conglobata, deep pimples develop on the face, chest, back, upper arms and thighs. These pimples often leave severe scars. Acne conglobata may last as long as 20 years.
• Acne fulminans. Acne fulminans is a severe form of acne conglobata that occurs in teen boys. In acne fulminans, a large number of pimples develop very quickly on the teen's back and chest. These pimples often leave severe scars. Pimples do not usually develop on the teen's face. Teens with acne fulminans often also have a fever, along with muscle and bone pain.

Citations

1. Habif TP (2004). Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 4th ed., pp. 162–208. Philadelphia: Mosby.

2. Thiboutot DM, Strauss JS (2003). Diseases of the sebaceous glands. In I Freedberg et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 6th ed., vol. 1, pp. 672–687. New York: McGraw-Hill.

3. Leyden JJ (2003). A review of the use of combination therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 49(3): 200–210.