What is Pimple?
A pimple is a small inflamed raised area that forms on the skin as a result of a hair follicle becoming blocked with sebum and sometimes also dead skin cells (keratinocytes).
Pimples are sometimes also called pustules or papules if they are open and inflamed.
When pimples are closed and not inflamed then they are also referred to as comedones.
The dermal layer of the skin contains sebaceous glands that produce the oily substance known as sebum.
The blocked hair follicle not only contains the sebum and dead skin cells but can often cause an increase in the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria which can cause the pimple to become infected. Staphylococcus aureus can also be involved.
The condition in which several pimples are formed is called acne.
A pimple can contain white pus which is a result of white blood cells rushing to the area to help with the inflammation.
Pimples can occur most often during hormonal changes or from certain cosmetics or sunblocks that block the pores of the skin. Sunblocks that are noncomedogenic are specially designed to prevent this from happening.
Hormones can result in an overproduction of the sebum from the sebaceous glands.
During adolescence there are large changes in the hormones and in the production of sebum, thus the odds of a pimple forming are increased at this time.
Pimples can be treated with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If this is ineffective or if the acne worsens, prescription treatments, such as Accutane, can be used. Some of these however have bad side effects.
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