What is Cystic Acne?
Cystic Acne (precisely Nodulocystic Acne) is an acute or severe form of acne, which derives its name from the cysts that accompany this acne condition. These cysts are actually nodules of inflammation that result from abnormal dilation of a normal skin structure.
The cysts normally develop from a papular or nodular acne lesion when it percolates deeper into the skin generating local immune response. Cysts may appear only on, or mostly develop on, the face. However, they may soon occur in other areas like the neck, shoulders, back, chest, arms and even affect the scalp. When the cysts get inflamed, they can be painful and appear to be filled with thick, yellow pus-like fluid.
Cystic Acne is a disfiguring form of severe acne as it causes cell destruction and leads to permanent skin scarring. Sometimes a cyst even measures several centimeters in diameter leading to deep keloidal scars. Cystic Acne is dreaded most for this disfiguring aspect of scarring, which may continue for ten or more years and can lead to severe consequences. In the appearance-conscious society of the present times, Cystic Acne can ruin one's personal and professional prospects, draining and devastating the person psychologically.
Nodular cysts occurring close together may unite, causing substantial cell destruction and inflammation and leading to another form of Severe Acne, Acne Conglobata.
Approved Treatments For Cystic Acne
Approved treatments for Cystic Acne include:
- Oral medication (chiefly antibiotics and contraceptives)
- Isotretinoin
- Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections and
- Surgical Excision
Topical antibiotics and warm water compresses are prescribed for the initial stages or mild cases of Cystic Acne.
Oral Medication
Oral antibiotics have been the mainstay of acne treatment for many years. The treatment begins with high dosage of antibiotics, which is lowered with improvement in the acne condition. Antibiotics such as Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Minocycline and Tetracycline are known to be effective against Cystic Acne. The one backlash of antibiotic treatment is that the acne bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotic being used to treat it. In that case, it has to be followed with another antibiotic.
Oral contraceptives, likewise, are effective in curing acne in women. Birth-control pills act by suppressing overactive sebaceous glands.

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