4 Questions and Answers About Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is a big problem for a lot of people—usually as big as 5mm in diameter. Acne cysts are not only ugly, they are also painful and very damaging to your skin. People who suffer from it, either as teens or during adulthood, are likely to have self-esteem problems as well.
1. What actually is cystic acne?
An acne cyst is not your regular type of pimple. It is bigger and more painful for a reason: the infection in your skin is worse. Like any kind of acne, cysts are the result of clogged and infected pores. Breakouts start with over-production by the oil glands. As sebum or oil builds up in the pores, the skin becomes more prone to bacterial infection. Cysts are pimples that are severely inflamed and pus-filled. So, like any infected lesion, they feel awfully sore.
Cystic acne is perhaps the worst kind. Because they are big and badly irritated, they also tend to take longer to treat. They can leave dark marks on the skin, and the scarring may become permanent. Worse, one cyst can also affect surrounding areas on your skin, resulting to never-ending suffering on your part.
2. What treatments are available?
Because acne is bacterial, dermatologists typically prescribe antibiotics for treatment. Depending on an individual’s case, the medication may be topical, injectable or oral. Common medication prescribed by doctors are tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline, and minocycline.
There is also oral isotretinoin, a derivative of Vitamin A. It is said to be capable of completely clearing and preventing acne for up to five months. Products with salicylic acid are common too in topical acne products, because it can induce the peeling and unclogging of the pores. But if you prefer a more natural approach—good old tea tree oil is a reliable bacteria-killer. However, you will have to apply it several times in a day.
For very severe cases of cystic acne, surgery might become necessary to clear the pus and trapped sebum.
3. Is there a special regimen recommended?
Basic skin care is still the most important when dealing with acne. Depending on your skin type, you can choose what kind of cleanser to use on a daily basis. Mild cleansing is of course the best for sensitive skin, and abrasive scrubs are generally not recommended. Read the back label of a product to make sure it has bacteria-fighting and peeling ingredients, such as the ones mentioned above.
4. How do you prevent cystic breakouts?
In truth, preventing acne is always easier said than done. Fighting acne, especially adult acne, may even be an almost lifelong battle for some people. However, you will have a greater chance of clearing your skin or at least minimizing the breakouts if you follow the healthy skin tips below.
Keep your diet as nutritious as possible. The trick is to get as much antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) as you can, to strengthen your skin’s resistance. Supplement with multivitamin tablets if you cannot eat the required amount of fruits and vegetables. Do not aggravate your sebum production by eating a lot of oily and fatty food. Also, drink more than the required amount of water per day to wash away more toxins from your body.
Lastly, relax — it really helps.