If you have acne, you already know it can show up in a variety of ways. But if you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between cystic acne and other acne subtypes, we’ve got you covered.
Cystic acne is the most severe type of acne, but why is it so much worse than the breakouts you get on your face? We spoke to cosmetic dermatologist and RealSelf contributor Dr. Sejal Shah about how to identify cystic acne, its causes, how to treat it at home, and when it’s time to see a dermatologist.
What is cystic acne?
While we often use the term “acne” interchangeably with pimples or zits, there are actually many different types of acne lesions. Cystic acne is different from other types of acne because it’s characterized by hard nodules under the skin’s surface that can be large and painful. They tend to be filled with pus, and will often leave scars where they heal.
What causes cystic acne?
Acne happens when oil glands produce too much sebum (oil), resulting in clogged pores that become inflamed or infected with bacteria. Cystic acne occurs when this infection goes deep into your skin, creating a red, tender
Cystic acne is a common skin condition that affects many adolescents and young adults. It is most commonly seen on the face, but can also appear on the back, chest, and other areas. Cystic acne is a subtype of inflammatory acne that involves large inflamed nodules or cysts. It can cause permanent scarring and also be psychologically traumatic to those who suffer from it. For this reason, it is important to understand cystic acne in order to treat it properly if needed.
What is Cystic Acne?
Cystic acne is an inflammatory type of acne that involves large pus-filled lesions that are painful to the touch. These cysts are characterized by deep inflammation under the skin and often occur when bacteria infects clogged pores (which is why acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide may be effective for treating cystic acne). Cysts form as a result of the body reacting to bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells trapped in pores. Nodules form when there are inflamed hard lesions under the surface of the skin.
Cystic acne differs from other types of acne such as whiteheads and blackheads (also known as comedones), which do not involve inflammation or infection.
Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne, but there are many misconceptions about it. People often think that cystic acne is the same as regular acne, or that it’s caused by poor hygiene or food choices. However, this isn’t true. Cystic acne is actually a genetic disease that can be treated with a number of different medications and lifestyle changes.
The Difference Between Cystic Acne and Regular Acne
Cystic acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance in which the body starts producing too much testosterone. This hormone causes an increase in oil production and clogged pores, which leads to the formation of pus-filled cysts on the skin’s surface. These cysts typically appear on the face, back, chest and shoulders.
Cystic acne is not caused by poor hygiene or diet choices. While it’s important to wash your face twice a day to prevent breakouts and eat healthy foods, these habits don’t cause cystic acne or make it worse. However, keeping your skin clean and eating nutritious meals can improve your overall health and well-being, which may help you deal with this disease more effectively.
Understanding Cystic Acne
It’s important to understand that cystic acne isn’t just another type of regular pimple. It
Cystic acne is a severe form of acne that is characterized by deep, tender and inflamed breakouts on the face. These lesions usually occur in clusters. Cystic acne, like other forms of acne, is caused by clogged pores. The difference with cystic acne, however, is that the pores become engorged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. The result is an inflamed bump that can be painful to the touch.
Cystic acne most often affects adolescents and young adults. Women tend to develop it more often than men because they have higher levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Cystic acne can be treated with over-the-counter medications but more severe cases may require prescription medication or surgery.
If you’re suffering from cystic acne, you should know that there are other types of those pesky pimples that you could be dealing with too, including:
Acne conglobata: Characterized by large lesions and nodules located primarily on the back and chest
Acne fulminans: A rare form of inflammatory acne that can cause fever, joint pain and ulceration
Gram-negative folliculitis: Caused by certain antibiotics that alter one’s skin’s natural bacterial balance
Cystic acne is one of the most severe forms of acne. This type of acne feels like soft, fluid-filled lumps under the skin’s covering. These big, red lumps can be painful and can cause severe emotional distress. There are some treatment options available for cystic acne that you can use to reduce its impact on your life.
What Is Cystic Acne?
Cystic acne is a kind of abscess that is formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than the more common types of acne like blackheads and pimples. The infection in cystic acne does not rise to the surface of the skin as it does in pimples and blackheads, so extracting the contents of a cystic pimple will not provide relief. The infection in cystic acne continues to grow beneath the skin surface until treated by a doctor or other health care provider.
If you have cystic acne, you have probably tried many different treatments without success. Some people even have painful nodules that never go away without treatment from a qualified health care professional. In fact, cystic acne is so hard to treat that you should always see a doctor if you believe that you have this condition.
Cystic acne is a type of acne that causes hard, deep, painful cysts and nodules. These cysts and nodules are more likely to cause scarring than other types of acne.
Most people think of whiteheads and blackheads when they hear the word “acne.” But there are actually many different types of acne, including:
– Comedones
– Cysts
– Papules (nodular inflammatory lesions)
– Inflammatory nodules
– Pustules