Posted on August 20, 2007 in Latest News
Cystic acne is a type of swelling that gets formed when oil ducts get clogged and infected. It affects deeper skin tissue and forms more superficial inflammation from common acne. It is most common on the face and generally occurs in teenage. Cystic acne breakouts are not only painful. Sometimes they go beyond the reach of topically applied products.
What causes cystic acne?
A bacterium called as Propionibacterium acnes is a normal denizen of skin. It uses sebum as a nutrient for growth. Therefore it increases in follicles during puberty. People with acne will have more Propionibacterium acnes in their follicles than those without acne. So it is crystal clear that root of this problem lies within the sebaceous follicle - a hair follicle with attached oil glands. Rate of cystic acne formation increases in puberty because androgens increase sebum production.
How to treat cystic acne?
- It is always advisable to visit a dermatologist to get the right treatment according to your skin type and extent of the problem.
- If you are suffering from light to moderate cystic acne you can take antibiotics that can kill the bacterium. But 30%-45% of cystic acne strains are resistant to these common antibiotics making them useless. And long-term use of antibiotics can also increase cancer risks.
- You can also use oral drugs such as Accutane and sulfa-based antibiotics. Oral antibiotics like tetracycline and minocycline are also more effective because they work systemically. But their use can cause side effects like photosensitivity, upset stomach, dizziness and skin discoloration. And, they should be taken for as long as four to six months.
- You can also go for the use of tretinoin (Retin-A). This vitamin A is a comedolytic. It thins outer layer of the skin. Over the course of few months it reverses the formation of the keratin-sebum plugs, which lead to bursting of the sebaceous follicle. But the major side effect is it causes a persistent red flush. It may also cause irritation in certain areas of the face like chin. So the frequency of its use might be limited to every two or three days until your skin gets used to it.
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