Acne is the most common skin problem, affecting about 90% of the world’s population in their lifetime. Acne is different: those that appear in adolescence against the background of a hormonal surge and those that can occur even in adulthood.
Today we will talk about the most severe and aggressive form of acne – cystic acne. Why they appear, what consequences they leave behind, and how to treat them – you will find the answers to all these questions in our material!
Cystic pimples or boils are considered a rare and serious form of acne that occurs when pores or hair follicles on the skin become clogged with sebum or other impurities. This type of acne has no age: it can break out both in a teenager and in older people with hormonal imbalances. Why cystic acne appears and how to distinguish it from another type of acne – let’s figure it out!
Why does cystic acne appear?
This type of acne is recognized as the most severe because cysts in this case form deep under the skin. Inflammation in this case is provoked by contamination of the pores, which are clogged with bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells. However, an unbalanced diet or poor skin hygiene is not the cause of cystic acne.
Cystic acne can appear in any person, but still most of all the “love” the owners of oily skin. They are also common in adolescents, women in adulthood, and older people with hormonal imbalances.
Cystic acne can go away on its own with age, but more often than not, these painful and large pimples require specially tailored treatment. If you have cystic acne, then a dermatologist should become your faithful and reliable friend for a long time. Only he will be able to choose the right treatment to solve this serious problem.
How to recognize cystic acne
Cystic pimples are large boils on the skin. As a rule, they are also distinguished by a white purulent head. These signs will help you distinguish cystic rashes from other types of acne:
- Large, pus-filled, pimple head;
- Severe redness of the skin;
- Sensitive or painful rash.
Most often, cystic acne appears on the face, but it can also affect other areas of the body, such as the chest, neck, back, and arms. In rare cases, cystic acne occurs even on the shoulders or behind the ears.
How to Treat Cystic Acne
Due to the complexity of this type of acne, most over-the-counter medications are not effective enough to treat. This means only one thing: when cystic acne appears, you should immediately contact a dermatologist who will select the right therapy and write out a prescription for the necessary drugs.
However, you should not expect an instant effect from these funds: most often, the result can be seen only after 8 weeks after the start of medication. In some cases, the doctor may choose a combined treatment with drugs of different types of action.
Common treatments for cystic acne include:
- Drugs with the active ingredient isotretinoin – intake are accompanied by a lot of dangerous side effects, so only a doctor should select the recommended dose;
- Antibiotics – they fight the causative agent of a bacterial infection and relieve inflammation, but can only be used in the short term;
- Topical retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A that come in the form of creams, gels, and lotions. They are usually prescribed in tandem with antibiotics – the decision, again, is solely up to the doctor. However, it should be borne in mind that retinoids can cause dryness and redness of the skin – usually, the side effect disappears after the skin gets used to it;
- Diuretics prescribed by a doctor – can regulate the level of androgens that provoke inflammation in the skin. These drugs are strictly prohibited for women planning a pregnancy, as well as for people with kidney disease;
- oral contraceptives – these hormonal drugs can help treat cystic acne in women whose skin breakouts are related to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Only a doctor can prescribe them.
Treatment of scars after cystic acne
Cystic acne leaves behind the largest amount of scarring compared to all other types of acne. To reduce the risk of the formation of terrible “bumps” on the skin, you should forever forget about the habit of squeezing or picking rashes. Physical exposure can also spread the infection even further, making it even more difficult to get rid of acne.
If the scars on the skin after cystic acne still remain, there are several ways to make them less noticeable. However, these measures should be applied only after you managed to cope with the rashes themselves.
So, getting rid of scars on the skin helps:
- Chemical peeling;
- Dermabrasion;
- Laser resurfacing.
How to prevent cystic acne
Taking good care of your skin is the best way to reduce your risk of cystic acne. Here are some tips to help you avoid breakouts.
Wash your face once a day – in the evening
To cleanse the skin of the face, use mild products that will not overdry the skin. Do not get carried away with belongings – hard particles in their composition can only aggravate the inflammatory process.
Don’t pop pimples
Physical exposure to even less aggressive forms of acne can lead to cystic acne.
Use oil-free cosmetics
Such products clog pores less, and therefore reduce the risk of acne.
Don’t go to bed with makeup
It has long been known that you will not get any benefit from sleeping in full “war paint”.
Avoid stress
Stress is also closely linked to the appearance of skin rashes, so it is best to minimize the irritants in your life as much as possible.
Avoid high glycemic foods
White bread, rice, pasta, and sweets in large quantities can also lead to acne on the skin.
