Acne papule pustulant has both papules and pustules. The papules are firm and solid. They may be red or almost invisible but give a grainy feeling when you touch them. The red papules are most noticeable and elevated less than five millimeters above the surface of the skin. When you scratch a papule open, it may become infected and crusty. The name papule comes from the Latin term "papula" which means a pimple.

When a pustule forms, it is usually over a hair follicle where the sebaceous glands exist. The glands form sebum and the skin sloughs improperly and seals the sebum inside the pore. This sebum causes the area to swell and create the domed whitehead we associate with acne vulgaris. The interior of the whitehead is filled with a mixture of dead skin cells, white blood cells and bacteria.

There are various reasons for acne. Some feel that diet has nothing to do with acne papule pustulant, but others link it as one of the causative factors. The increase in the sebum production comes from genetic predisposition, hormones, and testosterone in particular, and stress which also increases the production of hormones. Frequently the abnormal amount of skin bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes that maintains a proper level on the surface of the skin but thrives in the dark enclosed area of a blocked pore.

There are several treatments for acne papule pustulant. Washing with mild soap and avoiding scrubbing are important to the treatment. Many people with acne believe that rough scrubbing and frequent washing helps the skin. While normal hygiene is important, washing to vigorously or frequently actually stimulates the production of sebum.

Several medications help to dry the sebum and heal the pustules. The use of benzoyl peroxide, prescriptions creams that contain antibiotics, over the counter medications and applications, oral antibiotics, prescription retinoids, and home remedies.

In severe acne cases health professionals drain the pimples and cysts that result from the acne.

There are home remedies that many find to help clear the outbreak. One of these is quite inexpensive and yet extremely effective. Calamine lotion, the pink lotion that you normally apply to poison ivy and oak, works extremely well to dry the pustules and make the acne better. Just apply it at night, unless you feel that pink is your color and want to match your skin to your outfit. Wash it off in the morning with warm water and follow with a splash of cool water.

Change in diet effects the creation of sebum and removal of fried foods, sometimes grain products, milk and caffeine. One particular study found that those that ate a balanced diet and avoided greasy foods had fewer outbreaks. Another study felt that the consumption of milk might increase acne because of the addition of hormones to the cow's feed. The third study felt that keeping the body healthy with a good diet reduced stress that cases outbreaks and therefore reduced the outbreaks.

If you have acne papule pustulant try the recommended remedies first, but if it doesn't improve, seek medical attention to avoid scarring.