Cystic Acne Treatment
Acne takes many forms from the relatively invisible-to-the-naked-eye blackheads and whiteheads to the screaming-for-attention pimples and cysts. Obviously, the most severe form of acne consists of deep cysts and nodules on the face or body – or both, if you are so unlucky – that are also reddish, large and painful. By the way, cysts are soft, fluid-filled lumps while nodules are hard, deeply-rooted lumps that form under the skin.
If you suffer from these symptoms, you will need specific cystic acne treatment.
No matter the kind of cystic acne that you are suffering from, you can take comfort in the fact that modern medical science has taken and continues to take big leaps in its effective cystic acne treatment.. Yes, it may require years of treatment, hours of time in doctors’ clinics and wads of dollars but the results should make you as happy as a clam. Your acne scars can be significantly lessened while your acne breakouts can be a thing of the past.
Cystic Acne Treatment
Cystic Acne Treatment Types
Oral Antibiotics
The first line of defense against cystic acne is oral antibiotics with the broad spectrum types being the most effective in this regard. Studies have shown that doxycline, erythromycin, minocycline and tetracycline are the most prescribed oral antibiotics in the United States. We have to emphasize that these oral antibiotics must be prescribed by doctors to avoid building up of immunity against these medications as well as to lessen the side effects.
So, why are oral antibiotics necessary against cystic acne? One of the causes of acne is the proliferation of the P. acnes bacteria that leads to the characteristic skin inflammation in moderate to severe cases. With antibiotics, your body enjoys a helping hand in killing these colonies of acne-causing bacteria.
Oral Contraceptives
You will be surprised at how birth control pills are prescribed in the treatment of acne. Said use is based on the fact that acne can be caused by hormonal changes in a woman’s body as she undergoes puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycles and, finally, menopause. The birth control pills are taken to restore balance, in a manner of speaking, to the body so that acne can be prevented.
But your dermatologist will not prescribe oral contraceptives just because you are complaining about cystic acne. Your physical condition must be assessed to determine that you have no blood clotting disorder, no history of migraines and no smoking habit as well as that you must be no older than 35 years. If your doctor finds out that you fail in one of these criteria, oral contraceptives are not your best anti-acne bet.
Corticosteroid Injections
If the oral antibiotics and contraceptives fail to do their tricks as expected, your dermatologist may consider a more aggressive approach against your cystic acne. Your cysts will be injected with diluted corticosteroid in and around the affected area, if necessary.
These injections serve two purposes. First, your lesions will significantly be lessened in size within 3 to 5 days because the corticosteroid melted the cysts. Second, your skin will be less scarred from the remains of the cystic acne mainly because the affected area is relatively shallow.
Isotretinoin Medication
Admittedly, even the best regimen of oral antibiotics and contraceptives coupled with corticosteroid injections can be ineffective against severe cases of cystic acne. In comes isotretinoin to the rescue. No, it’s not a form of hocus-pocus either.
Isotretinoin is a powerful drug made by synthesizing retinoid, a form of Vitamin A, which can be so effective that many patients only require one treatment course to be acne-free for years and years to come. You usually take a single pill one to two times a day for the next 16 to 20 weeks depending on the severity of your acne and your response to the medication.
But isotretinoin is not for every Tom, Dick and Harry. Serious side effects from birth defects to adult depression have been reported so medical supervision is a must.
Cystic Acne Treatment Options
If all else fails, you always have the benefit of popping your zits. Just kidding, of course, since it is not recommended. We recommend letting your dermatologist perform the minor surgical procedures of drainage or extraction to eliminate the cysts and nodules. Just remember that trying cystic acne treatment on your own will only worsen your skin’s situation.
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