What Causes Cystic Acne and How to Treat It

We live in a society where clear skin is seen as essential to beauty, and unfortunately, this can have a negative psychological impact when it comes to individuals dealing with cystic acne. With triggers such as genetics, stress, and hormones, acne is the most frequently diagnosed condition by dermatologists and affects nearly 85% of people at some point in their lives. One in 5 adults between the ages of 25 and 44 gets acne breakouts. Approximately 30-40% of those individuals are adult women. Eight out of 10 preteens and teens have acne. Fortunately, cystic acne can be treated. Here's what you need to know about treatment options.

What is Cystic Acne?

Acne occurs when a pore gets clogged, and most of the time will contain dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria inside. When the clogged pore is deep in your skin, then it can develop into cystic acne. Cystic acne pimples are deeper than a whitehead or regular acne pimples. They don't have a white bump that can be popped and can feel painful under the skin before they show up. The area around the cyst might also appear inflamed and red. Cystic acne can affect people of all ages, but it most likely affects teens and individuals in their early twenties. Hormones are a common cause for developing cystic acne. In some people, their bodies make a lot of inflammatory cells that cause a deeper inflammation that leads to cystic acne.

Cystic Acne Treatments

Cystic acne isn't something that simply goes away over time on its own. So seek help from a dermatologist or skincare specialist to get it under control, or the scarring can get worse. There are a plenty of different treatment options available for those who suffer from it. Here are 7 different options for your consideration.

Cortisone Injections: A direct injection of cortisone into a cystic pimple can be an effective way to quickly reduce its size and impact. The side effects of cortisone injections are that the area might look sunken in after some time and if cortisone shots are administered too often, they can adversely impact skin's ability to heal itself.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics like minocycline or tetracycline can help reduce cystic acne by preventing the spread of bacteria, a main cause of acne. Most doctors will limit the length of time of antibiotic use to 3-6 months due to the development of drug resistance. If antibiotics don't help cystic acne within that time frame, then it is recommended to move on to another treatment option. Antibiotics for the treatment of acne aren't advisable for pregnant women or those women wanting to conceive within the time period recommended for taking the antibiotics.

Topical Treatments and Acne Skincare Regimens: Treatments and skincare regimens containing retinoids and benzoyl peroxide can help with treating cystic acne. Retinoids, which are a derivative of vitamin A, work to unclog pores while benzoyl peroxide treatments reduce acne by killing the acne-causing bacteria on your skin. Some people might be sensitive to retinoids and/or benzoyl peroxide and have adverse reactions that could include painful, red, itching, or peeling skin. If you are sensitive to them, then these ingredients won't work for your skin and another treatment option should be considered by talking with your dermatologist or skincare specialist. If your skin is not sensitive to these ingredients and you are trying to get your adult acne under control, look for products with ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. When it comes to sun protection, stick with broad spectrum physical sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead of chemical sunscreens for acne-prone skin. Use products that are labeled as "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic," because these products are less likely to cause acne. Acne skincare products with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids can help control and prevent acne.

Birth Control Pills: Birth control pills are sometimes prescribed to reduce severe menstrual symptoms and to control bad acne in females. They contain estrogen and progesterone in different proportions. Through the elevation of estrogen and progesterone levels, they help reduce the oil-stimulating effects of testosterone. However, birth control pills can also change the balance of hormones in the body, which can potentially cause skin hyperpigmentation. Women who have been on birth control pills and stop may get acne. Certain types of birth control pills, especially pills that contain only the hormone progestin, can lead to the development of adult acne while others can help keep breakouts under control by balancing hormones, which in turn will regulate sebum production. Treatment isn't advisable for everyone as some can cause mental and physical side effects. If you take the pill, work with your doctor to find a type that helps control your acne.

Cryosurgery: A more invasive therapy to treat cystic acne is cryosurgery, which involves applying extremely cold substances, like liquid nitrogen or cold carbon dioxide, to acne cysts. Cryosurgery causes ice crystals to form within the damaged skin cells, which eventually tears those cells apart. It also reduces blood flow to the cysts, and it can reduce acne scarring. You may feel a tingling, uncomfortable sensation after treatment.

Accutane: Accutane, also known as Roaccutane or Isotretinoin, is a strong and effective treatment for acne. It contains a strong form of vitamin A. It should only be prescribed by doctors as a last resort for cystic acne that resists other forms of treatment. Accutane has many side effects, and is not advisable for pregnant women or those who may become pregnant, as it can be lethal to a fetus.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Diet and food sensitivities can be linked to cystic acne. Dairy, whey protein products, and sugar can trigger or worsen cystic acne. Try eliminating these foods one at a time for a few months to see how your skin responds. Food sensitivities originate in the gut and create chronic inflammation, which can imbalance hormones and lead to cystic acne. The elimination diet can help heal the gut and reduce inflammation. Also, address stress, emotional, and lifestyle factors. Stress, negative emotions, and lifestyle factors can lead to inflammation and skin issues as well.

Many people are drawn to alternative cystic acne treatments (i.e. taking herbal supplements) because of the side effects associated with the more popular treatments. However, alternative treatments may have side effects too. Many alternative treatments suggested for cystic acne haven't been studied thoroughly. Because of this, certain alternative treatments can be risky unless done under the supervision of a licensed doctor. Some of these herbal supplements contain very high levels of ingredients that can be toxic to the body, especially for pre-teens and teens.

Arming yourself with the knowledge of why cystic acne occurs and how to best prevent or stop it will help you maintain the healthiest skin at any age. If you are suffering or someone you know is suffering from cystic acne, I hope this article helps with treatment options to look into to get your cystic acne under control.

Have any questions or comments for me? Please comment below or email me at [email protected].

Source:

https://www.healthyway.com/content/beneath-the-surface-what-causes-cystic-acne-and-which-treatment-options-actually-work/