Acne Papules Causes and Treatments

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An acne papule is a type of inflamed blemish more commonly known as a pimple or zit. It looks like a slightly raised red bump on the skin. Papules form when there is a high break in the pore wall.

An acne papule often turns into a pustule, a pimple that is filled with white or yellow pus. It is only at this point that a zit can be popped. Trying to pop a papule won't work and will likely only cause it to worsen and scar.

This article explains how acne papules develop and how they differ from some other types of acne. It discusses how acne papules are diagnosed and how you can get rid of them.

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Facial acne
DermNet / CC BY-NC-NDOwner

Acne Papules Symptoms

Acne papules aren't the only red, inflamed bump you can get on the skin. Papules can be small or large. But if you have a blemish that is especially red, swollen, and painful, it may not be a papule at all. Instead, you might have an acne nodule.

Nodules are similar to papules—they both form because of a blockage of the hair follicle. But nodules:

  • Happen deeper in the skin
  • Spill infected material into the dermis (middle) skin layer
  • Are a more serious form of a blemish than a papule 
  • Take longer to heal than papules

Even the largest papules heal within just a few weeks. Nodules can sometimes take months to heal. There's a higher chance of developing scarring with nodules.

Nodular acne should always be treated by a dermatologist. Severe nodular acne is sometimes called cystic acne with lesions that are typically more painful than acne papules are.

What Causes Acne Papules?

Acne papules develop when the hair follicle, or what is more commonly called the pore, becomes clogged with skin cells and excess oil. This plug or blockage is called a comedo, and all acne papules begin as one.

The Propionibacterium acnes bacteria living on the skin thrive on the comedo plug oil, multiply, and contribute to acne. The oil build-up:

  • Puts pressure on the follicle
  • Can rupture the follicle wall
  • Leads to material spilling out and irritating infected skin
  • Causes the skin to become red, inflamed, and sore

This red bump is called a papule. Sometimes the papule progresses into an acne pustule when pus forms a white head on the blemish. Common reasons for papules to form include:

  • Oil production that clogs the pores of your skin
  • Bacteria on your skin
  • Fluctuating sex hormones
  • Steroid use, with medications like prednisone that can contribute to acne. Anabolic steroid use often leads to acne as well.

Diagnosing Acne Papules

You may need to see a dermatologist for acne treatment, but your primary healthcare provider can begin the process and refer you for a diagnosis. Your provider will:

  • Ask you to describe acne symptoms and how long you've had them
  • Ask what health conditions you are treated for and the medications you take
  • Do a physical exam to inspect acne sores

A dermatologist also will want to know what kinds of treatments you've already tried. They'll want to rule out other potential diagnoses, like perioral dermatitis, that require different treatments.

How to Get Rid of Acne Papules

There are plenty of options to treat acne papules. The treatment that is best for you depends on how severe your blemishes are.

Over-the-Counter Treatment

If you get just a few pimples here and there, but your skin is relatively clear most of the time, acne spot treatments may be all that you need. For best results, look for a product with one of the following ingredients:

Dab on individual pimples to help them heal faster.

Spot treatments only heal pimples after they're already on the skin. So, if you are looking for long-term clearing of the skin, you'll need a different type of treatment.

Over-the-counter acne products with the above ingredients can be helpful for mild breakouts. 

Home Remedies

You can try home remedies for papule acne types, including tea tree oil and other alternative acne treatments. Some of the other options include:

  • Kitchen facial recipes, made with cinnamon, lemon oil, and other ingredients
  • Aloe vera gel applied to the skin
  • Echinacea supplements (there's some evidence of benefit)
  • Managing stress
  • Getting more and better sleep
  • Changing to an anti-inflammatory diet (ketogenic diets are among those studied)

Prescription Treatment

For moderate to severe breakouts, you'll need a prescription acne medication instead. 

A dermatologist can design a treatment plan that will clear the acne papules that you have now, plus keep new blemishes from forming. For example, you may need to use benzoyl peroxide and a retinoid, as well as an antibiotic you apply to your skin.

With severe acne, you may benefit from isotretinoin despite its side effects. Hormonal birth control pills may help with acne in people with vaginas. Your dermatologist also may recommend corticosteroid injections, or laser or light therapy.

Preventing Acne Papules

The cause of acne isn't always related to skin care, but there are steps you can take to try and prevent acne papules from developing. You should keep your face clean without overdoing it (twice daily is fine). You also can consider:

  • Avoiding washcloths and towels, and using your fingers to wash your face
  • Using alcohol-free products, but not harsh toners and astringents
  • Keeping up with your skin care treatment plan
  • Staying away from ultraviolet rays (the sun and tanning beds)

Try not to touch your face and any acne papules you have. It can help sores to heal and prevent acne from spreading.

Summary

Acne papules are pimples before they develop whiteheads with pus, and they're a common type of acne. They can be small or large, but differ from nodules in how painful they are and how difficult they are to treat.

There are a variety of options for treating acne papules, including home remedies and over-the-counter care. You may need to see a dermatologist for prescription drugs or other more advanced treatments.

Good health and hygiene habits can help to prevent acne but they won't always stop it from happening, since acne has other causes. Your healthcare provider can discuss diet, sleep, stress management, and other practices that can help with your acne.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Angela Palmer
Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment.