The Ups and Downs of Cystic Acne

The Ups and Downs of Cystic Acne

Most people get pimples at one point or another, usually during their teenage years. But many people get cystic acne, the severe form of acne characterized by large, red, and painful pimples lodged deep into the skin.  

 

Fortunately, you can treat these severe breakouts with a combination of medications and lifestyle habits. But that doesn’t mean that it will never come back because cystic acne has a bad habit of lingering for years. So you need to know about it when discussing your treatment plan.  

The Downside: Ill Effects

Pimples usually happen when the pores of your skin become clogged with dirt, dust, and dead skin cells. But there are times when bacteria also become trapped inside the pores, resulting in infection and cystic acne if it goes deep into the skin.  

These aren’t your usual pimples because they are full of pus, painful, itchy, and tender. You may be tempted to prick them to drain the pus, but you’re making matters worse. Your skin will soon have breakouts until it seems like acne has taken over your face.  

But it isn’t just the face where cystic acne can occur. Many people can even have them on their neck, back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. So imagine cystic acne’s physical and psychological effects, regardless of their number and location.  

If you have it, you may suffer from decreased self-confidence because cystic acne can leave physical and mental scars.

The Upside: Treatment and Prevention

There’s hope, but you must work with your dermatologist to find a customized solution. Acne, especially cystic acne, is a highly individual disease that no two individuals will respond to the same treatment.

 

The medications will likely be more potent for cystic acne than mild to moderate acne. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe the following:  

  • Oral antibiotics aid in reducing inflammation and controlling bacteria; however, you must be cautious. Acne may not respond well to antibiotics after a few years of use.  
  • Prescription topical solutions, such as creams, gels, or lotions, with retinoid work in two ways: aid in unplugging the pores and reinforcing the effects of antibiotics.  
  • Isotretinoin, of which Accutane is the most popular brand, aids in clearing the skin of acne entirely and permanently in most people. But it should be taken for five months regularly, usually once to twice a day, and it shouldn’t be taken by women planning on getting pregnant while taking it.  

Even the most potent anti-acne medications will be of little use if you don’t adopt your doctor’s recommended lifestyle habits. These include avoiding touching your cysts, managing your stress, following a healthy lifestyle, and taking good care of your skin.  

Most important, be sure to follow your therapy plan. Unfortunately, there’s no quick, one-size-fits-all, and easy fix for cystic acne, so line up your expectations, too.