Acne problems have often been associated with puberty. However, there are some people who continue to have various forms of acne even as an adult. One common problem faced by many adults is cystic acne. Out of all the different types of acne, it is adult cystic acne that has been considered by many dermatologists to be the most severe type plaguing adults all over the world.
What is Cystic Acne
Unlike most types of acne where blackheads or whiteheads might be present, adult cystic acne is a type of severe nodular acne brought about infections deep within the pores. The infection causes the development of a cyst-like substance to form and accumulate within the skin. An adult who is inflicted with cystic acne is one who eventually develops low self-esteem and lacks social confidence. Apart from the painful lesions brought about by this type of acne, a person suffering from cystic acne may deal with constant bleeding of the lesions as well as a discharge from the cyst which is often characterized by a foul odor.
No one can really conclusively say what causes adult cystic acne. However, there are a number of different suspects. Some of the causes include:
• Poor hygiene
• Stress
• Hair follicles trapped underneath the surface of the skin
• Unbalanced diet
• Hormone imbalance
Treatment for Cystic Acne
While many may consider acne as a somewhat normal skin condition, it should not be taken lightly. In fact, in some occasions, a person suffering with this skin disorder can eventually develop complications brought about the toxins found in the cyst. In these situations, people suffering from adult cystic acne would often require treatment in the hospital involving the surgical removal of the cysts that develop.
Oral Antibiotics – Because cystic acne occurs deep in the skin, many topical treatments may be ineffective. Oral antibiotics are often the first treatment method utilized to target this type of acne.
Blue Light – Another type of adult cystic acne treatment commonly used is Blue Light treatment. In this particular form of treatment, blue light waves are used to penetrate the skin in order to disrupt and eliminate the cyst-like substance underneath the skin.
Accutane – If prior methods of treatment have been unsuccessful, a dermatologist may prescribe Accutane, a prescription oral retinoid. Accutane is a powerful medicine for treating cystic acne, however its use is limited to severe and unresponsive cases because of its potential side effects (see Accutane Lawsuit).
Surgery – The most extreme method for treating severe cystic acne is surgery. Here the cyst-like substance is drained out of the pores completely through a minor surgerical procedure. Since this treatment can result in scarring, many of those who undergo this kind of adult cystic acne treatment are then referred to a cosmetic surgeon to treat the scars.
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