What Is It And What Is It Called?

Acne is a name of the plugs that block the ducts of sebaceous glands.

Pimples, spots or zits are the names for inflammations on the skin surface.

The Latin name of the widespread disease which is characterized by Acne and pimples appearance is Acne Vulgaris (Common Acne). There is an opinion that this term derives from a corruption of the Greek word “akme” which means “top, head”.

The synonym of Acne Vulgaris is the name Common Acne. It starts in adolescence and has its peculiarities in the symptoms and treatment methods if compared with Acne disease that appears in adulthood.

The classical definition of Acne describes it as a chronic skin disease, which is characterized by purulent inflammation of sebaceous glands.

The term “Acne” may be referred to the disease itself as well as to its separate elements. In reality, dermatologists describe the elements of Acne by different terms depending on the form and the severity of the disease, for example Acne comedonica or Acne conglobata.

At the same time, analogous or similar to Acne (Acne-like, Acneform ) elements of Acne can be found in other skin disorders as well. In some cases one can find such terms as “Acne neonatorum”, “Acne medicamentosa”, “Acne aestivalis” and others.

Another skin disease is called Acne erythematosa (Acne rosacea (Latin).