The correct name for common acne is acne vulgaris. The term "vulgaris" means "common" or "usual". What do the other words mean?
Non-inflammatory lesions:
- Open comedones (blackheads)
- Closed comedones (whiteheads)
- Uninflamed nodules (sometimes called cysts)
Inflammatory lesions:
- Papules (small red bumps)
- Pustules (white or yellow "squeezable" spots)
- Inflamed nodules (large red lumps)
Secondary lesions:
- Excoriations (picked or scratched spots)
- Erythematous macules (red marks from recently healed spots, mostly in fair skin)
- Pigmented macules (dark marks from old spots, mostly in dark skin)
- Scars