Cystic Acne: What It Is & How to Treat It
What Is Cystic Acne?
Cystic acne is a more severe and sometimes more complicated form of acne that can be very painful indeed. This type of acne feels like soft, fluid-filled lumps under the skin’s covering. These big, red lumps can cause severe damage to the skin and even lead to permanent scarring if not treated immediately by a dermatologist or other expert.
It may seem unfair that some people get cystic acne while others do not. But the truth is that it isn’t always what you eat, where you live, or what kind of makeup you use that leads to these large painful breakouts. Many times it is simply an overabundance of hormones that clog up the pores and hair follicles resulting in swollen nodules (pimples) and cysts that are filled with pus.
Sometimes a genetic predisposition toward cystic acne is passed from parent to child. If your mother or father had severe acne when they were young, chances are good that you will have it as well at some point in your lifetime.
When it comes to breakouts, cystic acne is probably the most severe type of acne. The big difference between cystic acne and other types of acne is that it doesn’t just affect the skin on your face. It can also affect your back, your chest and even your shoulder area.
Cystic acne affects deeper layers of the skin than other types of acne do, so it’s harder to treat. It causes painful lumps under the surface of the skin, which are filled with pus. These lumps can burst and spread infection onto surrounding areas of the skin, which can lead to more blemishes.
Cystic Acne: What Causes It?
Scientists aren’t sure exactly what causes cystic acne, but they believe there are several possible reasons for it:
Genetics: If both your parents experienced cystic acne, you may be more likely to experience it too.
There are many different types of acne, with varying degrees of severity. Cystic acne is one of the most common, and severe types of acne. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. The affected area usually appears red and swollen, and can be painful to touch. Cystic acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance, and often occurs when oil and dead skin cells accumulate within a hair follicle, which causes inflammation throughout the surrounding tissue. Cystic acne can affect anyone, but it is most common in teenagers.
Cystic acne requires medical treatment from a dermatologist. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in treating diseases or conditions related to skin, nails and hair. If you think you may have cystic acne, or any other type of acne for that matter, please visit your local doctor as soon as possible to prevent any long term damage to your skin!
If you have cystic acne, a dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics to help clear it up. These are usually taken orally or applied directly to the skin in the form of a cream or gel. Some common topical antibiotics for cystic acne include erythromycin and clindamycin, which work by killing bacteria. Topical antibiotics for acne can be very effective in reducing inflammation and getting rid of bacteria, but they do not prevent new breakouts.
Oral antibiotics, including tetracycline and minocycline, are another option for treating cystic acne. Most of these work by killing bacteria as well as reducing inflammation. Oral antibiotics can be effective for some people but do not offer long-term solutions to acne. For that reason, many dermatologists will recommend only using them short term (for a few months) or in conjunction with other medications such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.
Long-term use of oral antibiotics can also cause side effects like stomach upset, dizziness, and light sensitivity. In addition, antibiotics are unable to target specific types of bacteria that may be contributing to your breakout, so they wipe out both good and bad strains. This makes you more susceptible to developing an antibiotic-resistant infection that is
Cystic acne is often characterized by painful nodules on the chest, face, neck, and back. Learn more about cystic acne, its causes, and treatment options from Proactiv®.
What Is Cystic Acne?
Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne and is characterized by painful nodules on the face, back, chest, and neck.
Causes of Cystic Acne
Acne occurs when dead skin cells combine with oil and clog hair follicles. This can result in whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. During puberty, the male sex hormones called androgens cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. This in turn can lead to cysts or nodules — large bumps under the skin’s surface that become inflamed and can be painful to the touch.
Treating Cystic Acne
If you think you may have cystic acne, it’s important to see a dermatologist to treat it as early as possible. Left untreated, cystic acne may lead to permanent scarring. Dermatologists can prescribe oral medications to treat cystic acne. They can also provide tips for managing your condition at home with self-care treatments like warm compresses or gentle