Every acne infection is not a severe infection. The severe infections are not many but the scars they cause are surely extensive. There are basically three kinds of severe acne, namely Acne conglobata, Acne fulminans and Gram-negative folliculitis. Though only three, any of this acne wreaks severe damage to a person. The timely diagnosis and right treatment is the only method, which can ensure their control.

Acne conglobata

Acne conglobata is the most severe form of acne. In this type blackheads spread all over the face. The black heads also have a few infected nodules around them. The nodules grow and also burst open. The nodules cause a lot of tenderness and pain. They make the skin scarred too. This form of acne affects males more than females. Acne conglobata is found in chest, back, upper arms, buttocks, and thighs besides the face. They do not clean up fast and may remain so for years.

Besides affecting the face, acne conglobata also affects the trunk i.e. chest, back, upper arms, and also the buttocks and thighs. It is caused by the deterioration of papules and pustules. Some cases of acne conglobata were through the flare up of acne, which were lying unerupted for a long time. Antibiotics and Isotretinoin is the suggested course of treatment for acne conglobata.

Another severe type of acne is Acne fulminans. It is a very severe kind of acne. It is also a more severe variety of Acne conglobata. The acne is severe in the sense that Acne fulminans has ulcerating acne. Besides ulcerating acne, it also causes fever and ill health. Acne fulminans is a severe kind that involves lot of joint pains and causes the white blood cell count to increase too. All the above symptoms cumulatively worsen the situation. One of the main causes of Acne fulminans is intake of the male hormone testosterone. This variety is treated with Isotretinoin, steroids, and antibiotics and last but not the least anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

Another major important kind of severe acne is Gram-negative folliculitis. This kind of acne is caused by bacteria specially the gram-negative types. Examples of such bacteria are Pseudomonas aerugriosa and E.coli. This is a very severe form of acne, where the hair follicles are also affected. In this kind the hair follicles become inflamed and infected along with pus filled pustules are formed on the skin. This kind on acne is the result of using topical antibiotics and tetracycline. The treatment involves using specific antibiotics with Isotretinoin.