classification

Acne vulgaris can on the whole be classified into four types according to the dominant type of lesion:

Comedomal Acne (open/closed comedones, primarily on the forehead, nose and cheeks)
Pustular Acne (comedones and concurrent papules/pustules on the face and trunk)
Nodulocystic Acne(severe acne with all types of lesions, where cysts and nodules are diagnostic)

4. Acne Conglobata (A rare form of acne, characterised by cysts and interconnecting sinuses and abscess formation)

There are several systems for determining acne's degree of severity.

The simplest and most useful system is:

Severity	Comedones	Papules/pustules	Nodules
Mild	Few - several	Few - several	None
Moderate	Several - many	Several - many	Few
Severe	Numerous	Numerous	Many

Acne is further categorised into subtypes that can be related to age, provoking cause or degree of severity. The various classifications are most often used in concert. For example, acne in a child is classified as acne conglobata infantum.

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Classification