Presentation of moderate acne
Moderate forms of acne can be the result of deterioration of mild form, or some people may preferentially have moderate acne. Simple maneuvers that are helpful in treating mild cases tend to be of no avail in moderate phase. This stage is characterized by a wider surface spread of eruptions. Other distinguishing features are:
- Inflammation: Lesions in moderate cases are more likely to be accompanied by inflammation than in the mild cases. Clinical signs of inflammation like swelling and redness and slight localized pain or tenderness can also be appreciated at this stage.
- Redness: Redness or erythematous area in the base of the pimples or papules is seen as a manifestation of inflammation.
- Pustules: Pustules are eruptions that contain pus, which makes a whitish central appearance. They are larger in size than whiteheads or blackheads and are tender to touch.
- Papules: Papules are uninfected bumps, which serve as precursor lesions to pustules. Papules can form condensation that appears as rashes.
- Blackheads and whiteheads: these are more numerous in the moderate form than in the milder form.
Moderate acne is hard to treat when it is compared to mild acne. Sometimes when the treatment is started the acne might get worse, but it can be controlled by lessening the dosage of medicine.