Cystic acne is the worst. Not only are the cysts and nodules quite large but they are incredibly painful as well. You don’t want to leave the house, you feel like no one else understands what you’re going through, and it’s embarrassing. Before we delve into why cystic acne occurs and how to treat it, we at Acne Skin Site want to make this very clear: YOU ARE AMAZING. Your acne does not define you. You are beautiful inside and out. This is a temporary problem that can be resolved.
Acne vulgaris is what forms when oil glands become clogged and inflamed. Though most common in teenagers and young adults, anyone can develop acne and in more severe cases result in nodules and/or cysts that are 5mm or more in diameter. Nodules are deep, hard, painful lumps that form on the face, chest, and back and can last for months. The infection below the skin is so concentrated and hard that it is impossible to pop a nodule and it’s never recommended to attempt to pop or puncture them. A cyst is almost identical to a nodule except a cyst is puss-filled. Attempting to puncture a cyst will only cause a more severe infection and can spread to other areas of your face or breakout area.
It’s very important to see a dermatologist to help treat cystic acne. He or she may try a number of things until they find what works best for you and your skin. One possibility is prescribing a topical treatment or combination of topical treatments to use morning and night. Please note that your acne will more than likely get worse before it gets better with the use of antibiotics. This is because the medicine pulls all infection to the surface so don’t despair if your results are not immediate. It can take up to a month and a half to see positive results but it’s worth it.
In some cases, your dermatologist may administer a cortisone shot if prescriptive medicine does not work or if you have a big event coming up and need a “quick fix” to try to decrease swelling and infection. The goal of receiving a cortisone shot is not only to rid your skin of cysts, but to also reduce scarring. Cortisone is a natural chemical created in our bodies and reduces inflammation which is why it can be so effective when injected right in the infection. Though it may work rather quickly at healing the area, it can leave the area looking sunken in due to the fatty tissue that forms around the cortisone. It’s a temporary side effect but can last up to a few months.
Make sure not to over cleanse your face, 2-3 times a day at most. Use a gentle cleanser and oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizer after every cleansing. Exfoliate gently 2-3 times a week to remove cellular build-up and to allow renewed skin to surface. Make your dermatologist your best friend and make sure to communicate your fears and such with him or her. If you feel like you don’t mesh well with your doctor then find another! And remember, there is light at the end of this tunnel!
Finding an effective acne treatment depends on knowing the exact type of acne you have. In fact, this is how your dermatologist determines what type of treatment or medication to prescribe. They will first examine the severity of your acne, and then decide from there what kind of treatment to recommend to you.
While there are over the counter remedies for acne, it’s still best that you have a basic understanding of the different types of acne before anything else. This ensures that you do not overdo your treatment, or even know when to leave your acne alone.
There are different ways dermatologists determine the type of acne you have. One of the easiest to understand is the classification of acne based on how they look. That’s the classification we’ll be using in this article.
Comedones. They are typical and unobtrusive type of acne. There are two types of comedones, the closed comedone or whiteheads, and the open comedone or blackhead. In general, you don’t have to do anything about comedones, although you could use strips to remove them if you want.
Papules. They are the more visible type of acne, the one with reddish bumps. Home treatment for this type of acne includes applying toothpaste to the bump, which will help deflate it after a few applications.
Pustules. Pustules are quite similar to papules. The only difference lies in the size of the inflammation and the presence of pus in the bump in the case of pustules. Be careful when handling pustules as the eruption of these pustules could result in deep scarring and infection.
Nodules. Unlike other types of acne that occur on the skin’s surface, nodules develop underneath the skin. They are quite painful even with the slightest pressure applied on them. Squeezing nodules is not advised, and you should seek professional treatment if the nodules do not disappear after several months and continue to be painful.
Cystic Acne. This type of acne is somewhat a combination of nodules and pustules. Cystic acne is easily identified by the presence of large, painful, and pus-filled bumps. Some lesions in cystic acne can be as large as 2 inches. This type of acne can be difficult to treat, and thus you should consult your dermatologist if you believe you have cystic acne.
Acne Conglobata. This one’s a combination of nodules and cystic acne that may appear on the chest and buttocks. Acne conglobata is also difficult to treat and can be very painful, so a trip to a dermatologist would be recommended.
Acne comes in different forms, from the painless and relatively unobtrusive comedones, to the painful acne conglobata. Now that you know what the different types of acne are, it’s important also to learn when to try and treat the condition yourself or when to let your dermatologist work on it.
However, if you’re in doubt, it’s always best to seek your dermatologist’s help so you can be properly guided on the most effective acne treatment for you. This prevents the chances of scarring your face with unsuccessful and unsafe ways to get rid of your acne.
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