Acne is a skin condition and not a disease. Cystic acne is one of the worst forms of acne and a difficult condition to treat. People who suffer from this type of acne are often desperate to find a cure or treatment that works for them. They often believe the advertising that manufacturers use to draw in users of their products.
Although cystic acne is mostly troublesome and often embarrassing , it is not a serious medical condition. It has significant emotional and psychological consequences for the sufferer and often times these consequences are long term because cystic acne, left untreated or treated poorly, can leave permanent scar tissue.
This form of acne is common on the face but also happens on the back, chest, buttocks and thighs. Because it is one of the most severe forms and can lead to scarring and pitting of the skin, it should be treated at once.
If you think you might have a cystic acne condition make an appointment with a dermatologist immediately. Dermatologists are in high demand in most areas of the country. It will often take a couple of months before you, as a new patient, will be able to get an appointment.
Cystic acne is usually a pus filled cyst with a red or purple hue around the raised nodule. People with this form of acne usually suffer from other forms as well. Acne vulgaris is the most common form that is present with cysts. This can be mild, moderate or severe in nature also.
In cystic acne the sebaceous gland ducts are plugged below the level of the skin, often much deeper than whiteheads or papules. Because the infection is deeper, if a sufferer picks or tries to pop a cyst they often drive the infection even deeper and it takes even longer for the cyst to heal. Sometimes trying to pop a pimple in the near vicinity of a cyst will have the same effect of driving the infection deeper.
Popping pimples is a bad habit to develop because this usually makes the skin condition worse. If a pimple is popped before it has matured you run the risk of developing a cyst, nodule or papule, which takes longer to heal. You will also increase the risk of scarring.
These nodules are similar to acne but they are actually filled with pus and are generally at least 5 millimeters in diameter. They are unsightly, painful, slow healing and lead to scarring. All are factors that make a visit to the dermatologist a significant part of a treatment plan.
A dermatologist will be able to recommend the best treatment plans for cystic acne that is not available over the counter. Often times treatment can include direct injection of medication into the cyst that can help it resolve over the next several days. Over the counter medications are not as effective treatments as they are for other forms of acne.
Resources:
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Link Found Between Teens’ Stress Levels and Acne Severity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070305141029.htm
US National Library of Medicine: Acne
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001876/
University of Michigan Health Services: Acne
http://www.uhs.umich.edu/acne
Canadian Family Physicians: Psychological Sequelae of Acne Vulgaris
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17273501
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