Cystic Acne

Just Acne? The Facts About Cystic Acne

You may have thought that you simply had trouble with acne, but you may have a more serious condition called cystic acne. The condition is not commonly recognized, but it is possible to identify and treat cystic acne.

The most important step in treating cystic acne is simply identifying the problem. Many people are so distressed about having acne that they don't want to draw extra attention to themselves. They may be reluctant to seek out treatment because that means they'll have to submit to the scrutiny of a dermatologist. But cystic acne can have long-term effects in the form of scars, making it even more important to find help.

There are lots of online resources dedicated to cystic acne. One is located at www.skintactix.com/cystic_acne.htm and the wonderful aspect of this site is that there are photos to help with your identification. According to information from this and other sites dedicated to cystic acne, one of the most common symptoms of cystic acne is the appearance of deeply embedded nodes. The main difference between cystic acne and other forms of acne is that the cystic form never rises to a "head" - that portion of the pimple that turns white and eventually erupts to discharge the infection. In fact, with cystic acne, there may be no "whiteheads" or "blackheads" at all.

On a more technical level, cystic acne is the result of a bacterial infection. Therefore, antibiotics may be helpful. You'll find discussions and definitions of cystic acne from Med Help International at www.medhelp.org/glossary/new/GLS_1391.HTM.

Cystic acne may be present on an ongoing basis, or it may manifest right before or during a female's monthly menstruation cycle.

Successfully treating cystic acne depends on several factors. You may find that it can be controlled with an over-the-counter acne medication, or you may need to seek out professional help. Antibiotics may be helpful if the condition is true cystic acne. One important fact to remember is that untreated, cystic acne can lead to serious scarring. Because nodules are infected deep beneath the skin, there's the potential for large infected areas that can discolor and mar the skin's surface.

Please be sure to visit our pages about how to get rid of acne, acne medication, acne scars, acne scar treatments, and laser treatment for acne elsewhere on this site.