Is your acne deep and larger than usual? Is it accompanied by inflammation? Is the condition bringing pain and discomfort? If you say yes to all these questions, you could be dealing with the most severe type of acne called cystic acne.
The truth of the matter is that there are no treatments that will immediately get rid of cystic acne. The process takes time and there should be a proper way to treat cystic acne. The wrong type of treatment can only make it worse. This site will provide proper tips and guides in getting all the help you need to manage and treat your cystic acne condition.
Understanding Cystic Acne
Cystic acne develops with lumps that are filled with fluid or pus, which contains a mix of sebum and keratin. Regular acnes and whiteheads sometimes come with this pus, although with cystic acne, the formation is more irritated and inflamed. Because cystic acne is large, the pus can cover the entire bump, which is why it can get really painful.
The lumps are actually called nodules and these are larger and firmer than papules (otherwise also known as pimples). Sometimes these lumps can form into lesions that, experts say, are really hard to treat and may complicate into a systemic infection, or what is medically known as acne fulminans.
Who Are Prone?
Anyone can develop cystic acne, although it is more common in men and teenage boys. There are studies that show the condition may be hereditary, meaning to say, if your parents have suffered from cystic acne, then the chances of you and your siblings developing this is high.
Causes of Cystic Acne
As with all other types of acne, cystic acne form because of a hormonal imbalance that affects the amount of oil or sebum the skin’s glands produce. An overproduction of oil can cause dead skin cells to clump and harden, blocking the skin’s pores and causing an irritation that eventually becomes swollen and hard. The irritation becomes a hot bed for bacteria to multiply, resulting in an inflammation of the infection.
Left untreated, the acne develops complications, including possible bleeding, and the lesions are so embedded deep into the skin’s surface, that the only way to correct this is through aggressive treatment.
Breaking Down Cystic Acne
Acne formation first starts as a microcomedone that develops into papular acne, its simplest form. When the inflammation becomes severe, cystic lesions appear. Other than hormonal imbalance and genetics, factors like the environment, stress and working conditions, use of cosmetics, and vices could aggravate the condition.
All these factors are supposed to be considered when coming up with a treatment plan for someone with cystic acne.
Diagnosis of Cystic Acne
A professional who is sought to treat cystic acne will have to thoroughly gather the history of the person seeking treatment, as it is pertinent to the individualized therapy that will be administered for him or her. Exempted from this, however, are adolescent patients, as doctors immediately know what to do in this case.
- Female patients may be asked about their menstrual history, including concerns with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- A history on all types of medicines taken may be asked to determine if contraceptives, antiepileptic drugs, or hormones medications (such as steroids) factor into the condition.
- Lifestyle and habits will also have to be assessed, particularly if the person is into sports that require wearing helmets or swimming, or if the person makes use of cosmetics on a regular basis.
The doctor should also know if other underlying conditions exist with the patient, such as alopecia or hirsutism. The lesions will be examined to determine its morphology via laboratory testing.
How to Treat Cystic Acne
Because of the way cystic acne appears, the condition could bring serious emotional side effects, as it can lead to lowered self-esteem and clinical depression. Aggressive treatment is crucial because the deeper and longer this condition stays, the scars may become permanent.
In most cases, however, medical drugs only help lessen the symptoms, or reduce the redness and inflammation. But in treating deep-seated cystic acne development, it may be necessary to look into the diet and lifestyle of the patient. Systemic therapy may be necessary for aggressive treatment. This means that cures administered are not just specifically acne related, but centered on the patient’s overall health.
Discussion of treatment is extensive on this website, with pages touching on different home and holistic remedy, as well as medical or hormone therapy. Read tips in relation to this, including duration of treatments and possible side-effects to the patient.
Prevention of Cystic Acne
If cystic acne is genetic, its development may be harder to prevent. But there are many ways by which complications can be lessened, so that the lesions do not become worse.
- Avoid touching and squeezing the acne so that it doesn’t come in contact with any more bacteria. Squeezing can also cause potential scarring that will be hard to remove.
- Some cosmetics may irritate the skin, so avoid using make-up when possible. If this is needed for work, set aside days where the skin is bare and allowed to breathe. Never go to sleep at night with makeup on.
- Cleaning the face is part of a good hygiene, but for some people, this may only cause drying and flaking. In fact, over washing can trigger more acne breakouts. Wash just the appropriate amount using mild cleansers and soft cloth to prevent skin abrasion.
- Don’t give in to stress. The kind of lifestyle a person keeps reflects on her skin’s health. The lack of sleep or becoming overworked can easily manifests in the skin. The cells in the body need to shutdown and recharge, or else its deterioration will reflect on a person’s whole outlook.
- Commit to the therapy the doctors prescribe. If a six-month therapy is required, then complete the number of medicines that should be taken and apply topical remedies as directed.