While 80% of teenagers suffer from acne overall, a smaller percentage suffer from an extreme form called cystic acne. Also referred to as nodulocystic acne, it is a very severe condition with effects that go beyond mere physical appearance. Cystic acne is a disfiguring and painful condition, but the psychological effects can extend to depression and even suicide. To someone suffering from this condition, a cystic acne cure can mean the difference between a happy, well-adjusted life and a troubled, miserable existence.
In contrast to the small bumps and pimples of regular acne, cystic acne is characterized by much more severe lesions. Nodules are acne formations under the skin. Sometimes lasting for months, nodules are very large and painful, and often leave scars. Cysts are also large, painful, and deep within the skin, but they are filled with pus. By definition, they are more than 5 mm across; combined with nodules and inflammation, the condition can spread redness across broad patches of the skin.
There are a couple of things you can do yourself to help your skin heal and implement a cystic acne cure. The first rule is to not squeeze the pimples. The lesions are deep within vulnerable skin, and squeezing can damage adjacent tissues, driving the infection deeper and wider. Scarring is common enough with cystic acne; squeezing increases the probability of deep, pitted scars.
When you wash your face, remember that your skin’s naturally acidic pH controls bacteria. If you use an alkaline soap for cleansing, the skin acids are neutralized and can no longer kill acne-causing bacteria. Be sure to use a cleanser with a neutral pH so your skin’s natural defenses can help fight your acne.
Beyond these efforts, such a severe condition as cystic acne requires serious treatment with the help of a dermatologist. You can start out with regular acne treatments in hopes that they will work, but if they don’t help, be prepared to take further steps. Antibiotics are often used to help kill bacteria, but the P. acnes bacteria is reported to be developing resistance; the common antibiotics may not be able to keep up with rampant bacterial growth associated with cystic acne.
Although squeezing acne cysts is not recommended, surgical acne treatment may be employed. The dermatologist will lance the lesion to drain the pus. This can relieve pressure inside the cyst and slightly improve appearance.
Your dermatologist may prescribe a topical or oral retinoid to treat your cystic acne. Retinoids work to mitigate some of the causes of acne, reducing oil production or stemming overproduction of dead skin cells that can block pores. They have a high effective rate as a cystic acne cure, but associated side effects include skin irritation, acne flareups, facial flushing, nosebleeds, birth defects, and possibly liver damage. Discuss and assess theses side effects with your dermatologist, and definitely don’t use them if you are pregnant.
Cystic acne that doesn’t respond to other methods may be treated with a steroidal cortisone injection directly into the lesion. This quickly resolves the redness and inflammation and improves the appearance of the skin. Possible side effects include changes in skin coloration, dents in the skin at the injection site, and infection. Long-term use of steroids, though, can actually cause acne. Permanent changes in skin texture and injection site abcesses are possible. Steroid injection as a cystic acne treatment should be used sparingly.
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