Are whiteheads pimples?
In everyday speech, "pimple" can mean any acne spot, including a whitehead; medically, distinguishing clogged pores from inflamed bumps helps you choose treatment. The word pimple covers several kinds of acne, because apparently one name was not enough paperwork. A whitehead's medical name is a closed comedo, meaning a closed pore. Whiteheads are usually small, white or skin coloured bumps without tenderness or swelling. Papules are inflamed bumps without pus, while pustules contain pus.134
How do whiteheads, blackheads and pimples differ?
| Spot | What is happening | What you can see or feel |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehead | Oil and dead skin cells plug a pore that stays closed. | A small white or skin coloured bump, usually without swelling or tenderness. |
| Blackhead | A clogged pore stays open; its contents darken on contact with air. | A dark dot, not a speck of dirt. |
| Papule | A blocked pore becomes inflamed, without visible pus. | A raised bump that can feel tender; pink or red on lighter skin, sometimes brown or purple on darker skin. |
| Pustule | An inflamed bump contains pus. | A raised bump with a white or yellow centre. |
What are whitehead pimples on the face?
People use "whitehead pimple" for both closed whiteheads and pimples topped with pus. Look at the whole bump, not just its colour: a small, skin coloured bump without swelling fits a whitehead; an inflamed bump with a pus centre fits a pustule. Comedonal acne, meaning acne made up of clogged pores, often affects the forehead and chin, but can also appear on the nose and cheeks. You can have whiteheads and inflamed pimples together. Untreated comedonal acne can develop into inflammatory acne.4
What should you do with a whitehead pimple?
- 1Cleanse gently morning and night. Remove makeup before bed, and avoid scrubbing or repeatedly washing the same area.
- 2Choose treatment for the type of spot. Retinoids help unclog whiteheads and blackheads; options for comedonal acne also include salicylic acid and azelaic acid. Benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid washes are options for inflamed papules and pustules. A pharmacist can help you choose.
- 3Follow the product's directions and apply acne medicines sparingly. Acne treatments can cause dryness, redness or excessive peeling. Tell your healthcare provider about medication side effects.
- 4Leave the bump alone. Squeezing, scratching or picking can cause infection, slower healing and scars. If stubborn whiteheads need extraction, leave that procedure to a licensed professional.
Water based products are another option. Moisturize morning and night, and wear sunscreen daily. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach towels and clothing.467
How long does treatment take?
Give acne treatment six to eight weeks to show improvement. Persistent whiteheads can take longer: comedonal acne can start improving in eight to 12 weeks, with clearance taking many months. If inflamed pimples have not improved after six to eight weeks, see a dermatologist. Stubborn clogged pores can need prescription treatment or professional extraction.24
When should you get medical help?
Get medical help sooner for lots of spots, deep painful lumps, worsening acne or scarring. Hot, swollen and red skin can signal infection; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin. Acne affecting your mental health also warrants help. Deep nodules and cysts need a dermatologist's care rather than treatment as ordinary whiteheads.257
Where this answer comes from
- 1Acne: Signs and symptomsaad.org
- 2How to treat different types of acneaad.org
- 3Acne Types, Causes, & Risk Factorsniams.nih.gov
- 4Comedonal Acne: Causes & Treatmentmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 5Acnenhs.uk
- 6Acne: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopediamedlineplus.gov
- 7Acnenhs.uk
