Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAcne PapulesPapule vs. NoduleCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Acne Papules
Papule vs. Nodule
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
An acnepapuleis 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 apustule, a pimple that is filled with white or yellow pus. It is only at this point that a zit can be popped. Trying to pop a papule won’t work and will likely only cause it to worsen and scar.
Acne papules differ from some other types of acne. Learn how acne papules are diagnosed and how to treat them.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet / CC BY-NC-NDOwner
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
The 4 Different Types of Pimples and What to Do for Them
What Are Acne Papules?
Acne papules arered, inflamed bumpson the skin. They develop when excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells push deeper into the skin and cause inflammation (redness and swelling).
Acne Papule vs. Nodule
Acne papules can be small or large. They feel hard and can be tender to the touch. If the blemish is particularly red, swollen, and painful, it may be an acne nodule.
Nodules are similar to papules—they both form because of a blockage of the hair follicle. But nodules:
Even the largest papules heal within just a few weeks. Nodules can sometimes take months to heal. There’s a higher chance of developing scarring with nodules.
Acne papules develop when the hair follicle, or what is more commonly called the pore, becomes clogged with skin cells and excess oil. This plug or blockage is called acomedo,and all acne papules begin as one.
ThePropionibacterium acnesbacteria living on the skin thrive on the comedo plug oil, multiply, and contribute to acne.The oil build-up:
Common reasons for papules to form include:
Sometimes the papule progresses into an acne pustule when pus forms a white head on the blemish.
Causes and Risk Factors of Acne
You may need to see a dermatologist for acne treatment, but your primary healthcare provider can begin the process and refer you for a diagnosis. Your provider will:
A dermatologist also will want to know what kinds of treatments you’ve already tried. They’ll want to rule out other potential diagnoses, likeperioral dermatitis, that require different treatments.
What Perioral Dermatitis Looks Like and How to Get Rid of It
How to Treat Acne Papules
There are plenty of options to treat acne papules. The treatment that is best for you depends on the severity of your acne.
Over-the-Counter Treatment
If you get just a few pimples here and there, but your skin is relatively clear most of the time,acne spot treatmentsmay be all that you need. For best results, look for a product with one of the following ingredients:
Dab on individual pimples to help them heal faster.
Spot treatments only heal pimples after they’re already on the skin. So, if you are looking for long-term clearing of the skin, you’ll need a different type of treatment.
Over-the-counter acne productswith the above ingredients can be helpful for mild breakouts.
Home Remedies
You can try home remedies for papule acne types, including tea tree oil and otheralternative acne treatments. Some of the other options include:
Natural Remedies for Back Acne
Prescription Treatment
For moderate to severe breakouts, you’ll need aprescription acne medicationinstead.
A dermatologist can design a treatment plan that will clear the acne papules that you have now, plus keep new blemishes from forming.Treatments may include:
The cause of acne isn’t always related to skincare, but there are steps you can take to try and prevent acne papules from developing. You should keep your face clean without overdoing it (twice daily is fine). You also can consider:
Try not to touch your face and any acne papules you have. It can help sores to heal and prevent acne from spreading.
Summary
Acne papules are small or large red bumps on the skin that can be tender when touched. Acne papules differ from nodules in how painful they are and how difficult they are to treat. Treating acne may include home remedies, over-the-counter products, prescription medications, or more advanced treatments depending on the severity.
Good health and hygiene habits can help to prevent acne but they won’t always stop it from happening, since acne has other causes. Your healthcare provider can discuss diet, sleep, stress management, and other practices that can help with your acne.
Coping With and Living with Acne
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat different types of acne.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.What are the types of acne?.McLaughlin J, Watterson S, Layton AM, Bjourson AJ, Barnard E, McDowell A.Propionibacterium acnes and acne vulgaris: new insights from the integration of population genetic, multi-omic, biochemical and host-microbe studies.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):128. doi:10.3390%2Fmicroorganisms7050128National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62-75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203Bond P, Smit DL, de Ronde W.Anabolic-androgenic steroids: How do they work and what are the risks?Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 19;13:1059473. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and Treatment.Rinaldi F, Marotta L, Mascolo A, Amoruso A, Pane M, Giuliani G,et al.Facial Acne: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Clinical Efficacy of a Symbiotic Dietary Supplement.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Feb;12(2):577-589. doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00664-z.Chatzikonstantinou F, Miskedaki A, Antoniou C, Chatzikonstantinou M, Chrousos G, Darviri C.A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study.Int J Dermatol.2019 Feb;58(2):218-220. doi:10.1111/ijd.14227.Harb D, Abdullah L, Kurban M, Abbas O.Ketogenic Diet and the Skin.Skinmed. 2023 Nov 10;21(5):315-320. PMID: 37945356.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Tips for managing.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat different types of acne.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.What are the types of acne?.McLaughlin J, Watterson S, Layton AM, Bjourson AJ, Barnard E, McDowell A.Propionibacterium acnes and acne vulgaris: new insights from the integration of population genetic, multi-omic, biochemical and host-microbe studies.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):128. doi:10.3390%2Fmicroorganisms7050128National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62-75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203Bond P, Smit DL, de Ronde W.Anabolic-androgenic steroids: How do they work and what are the risks?Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 19;13:1059473. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and Treatment.Rinaldi F, Marotta L, Mascolo A, Amoruso A, Pane M, Giuliani G,et al.Facial Acne: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Clinical Efficacy of a Symbiotic Dietary Supplement.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Feb;12(2):577-589. doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00664-z.Chatzikonstantinou F, Miskedaki A, Antoniou C, Chatzikonstantinou M, Chrousos G, Darviri C.A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study.Int J Dermatol.2019 Feb;58(2):218-220. doi:10.1111/ijd.14227.Harb D, Abdullah L, Kurban M, Abbas O.Ketogenic Diet and the Skin.Skinmed. 2023 Nov 10;21(5):315-320. PMID: 37945356.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Tips for managing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat different types of acne.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.What are the types of acne?.McLaughlin J, Watterson S, Layton AM, Bjourson AJ, Barnard E, McDowell A.Propionibacterium acnes and acne vulgaris: new insights from the integration of population genetic, multi-omic, biochemical and host-microbe studies.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):128. doi:10.3390%2Fmicroorganisms7050128National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62-75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203Bond P, Smit DL, de Ronde W.Anabolic-androgenic steroids: How do they work and what are the risks?Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 19;13:1059473. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and Treatment.Rinaldi F, Marotta L, Mascolo A, Amoruso A, Pane M, Giuliani G,et al.Facial Acne: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Clinical Efficacy of a Symbiotic Dietary Supplement.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Feb;12(2):577-589. doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00664-z.Chatzikonstantinou F, Miskedaki A, Antoniou C, Chatzikonstantinou M, Chrousos G, Darviri C.A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study.Int J Dermatol.2019 Feb;58(2):218-220. doi:10.1111/ijd.14227.Harb D, Abdullah L, Kurban M, Abbas O.Ketogenic Diet and the Skin.Skinmed. 2023 Nov 10;21(5):315-320. PMID: 37945356.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Tips for managing.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat different types of acne.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.What are the types of acne?.
McLaughlin J, Watterson S, Layton AM, Bjourson AJ, Barnard E, McDowell A.Propionibacterium acnes and acne vulgaris: new insights from the integration of population genetic, multi-omic, biochemical and host-microbe studies.Microorganisms. 2019;7(5):128. doi:10.3390%2Fmicroorganisms7050128
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.
Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62-75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203
Bond P, Smit DL, de Ronde W.Anabolic-androgenic steroids: How do they work and what are the risks?Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 19;13:1059473. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.
American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Rinaldi F, Marotta L, Mascolo A, Amoruso A, Pane M, Giuliani G,et al.Facial Acne: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Clinical Efficacy of a Symbiotic Dietary Supplement.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Feb;12(2):577-589. doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00664-z.
Chatzikonstantinou F, Miskedaki A, Antoniou C, Chatzikonstantinou M, Chrousos G, Darviri C.A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study.Int J Dermatol.2019 Feb;58(2):218-220. doi:10.1111/ijd.14227.
Harb D, Abdullah L, Kurban M, Abbas O.Ketogenic Diet and the Skin.Skinmed. 2023 Nov 10;21(5):315-320. PMID: 37945356.
American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Tips for managing.
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