What is the medical name for common acne?

• A. Rosacea
• B. Seborrheic Dermatitis
• C. Acne Vulgaris
• D. Impetigo

Answer: (C)

The term used medically for the acne most people experience is acne vulgaris. This describes inflammation of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, typically with blocked pores that form comedones (the blackhead and whitehead types) and may include pustules or cysts when inflamed. It’s what beauty therapists usually refer to when they talk about common acne.

Other conditions listed aren’t the same: rosacea mainly causes persistent facial redness and visible blood vessels rather than clogged follicles with comedones; seborrheic dermatitis involves greasy scales and flakes, often on the scalp and eyebrows; impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection with honey-coloured crusts around the mouth or nose.