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Treating
Acne Cysts
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Cystic acne is a
serious condition. Cysts often begin as nodules - hard bumps
buried under the skin's surface. They may not show any
redness at first, but as the inflammation spreads they
become cystic, forming large, swollen red lumps with a pus
deposit that may or may not be visible on the surface. Cysts
usually share the same root cause as acne pustules - excess
skin oil becoming pressurized and hardening into a nugget -
but occur much deeper in the skin. They can be sensitive or
painful to the touch, and commonly result in scarring
(especially if you try to pop them). Unlike other types of
acne, cysts may last for several months before the body can
eliminate them. |
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What's worth
trying
In cases of
severe cystic acne, in which your cysts come in clusters
that cover broad swaths of your skin, you should seek
out a dermatologist immediately. While the
treatments below may help, you will probably need
prescription medications, cortisone injections and
professional care. However, if you only get a few scattered
cysts at a time (as I used to get), then the treatment
options below may be enough to help you.
Strong spot
treatments can again be useful, with an emphasis on
strong. These are most effective at reducing the
inflammation, minimizing the appearance of cysts and
(hopefully) making them heal faster. Note that you will
likely need to use more than just a small dab of the treatment
for it to penetrate deeply enough to make a
difference.
Using a
supplement is highly recommended. My cysts didn't stop
forming until I discovered vitamin B5, and I definitely
recommend giving it a try. Vitamins that play a role your
body's regulation of skin oil can have a powerful effect in
stopping cysts. In fact, some of the most effective
prescription treatments (such as Accutane) are vitamin A
derivatives that work by directly lowering your glands'
production of skin oil.
An antibiotic
ointment may also be a good idea. Products like
Neosporin can take the redness out of an inflamed cyst and
speed your healing. Just be careful not to make too frequent
use of these. They will kill bacteria indiscriminately,
including the good bacteria that actually helps your skin.
Prolonged use may also result in your skin developing an
antibiotic resistance, which can lead to serious
vulnerabilities if you end up with a real infection down the
road.
If (and only if)
a cyst rises close to the surface of the skin, plainly
displaying a white pus deposit, then pricking it with a
sterilized needle may be the right step to take. This
provides a "path of least resistance" for the pus to escape,
and thus may prevent scarring.
What's
not
worth trying
The very worst
thing you can do with a cyst is to pick at or
pinch it while it is still lodged deep down in your
skin. This will solve nothing, and only serve to cause more
redness and swelling, making the cyst even more noticeable
than it was before. Not to mention, trying to force a cyst
to erupt prematurely is the most certain way to get an acne
scar there is.
Like pustules
(but even more so), cysts have little to do with dirt, dead
cells or bacteria on the surface of your skin. That means
cleansers, toners, masks, lotions....virtually no topical
treatment that cleanses (or "purifies", or "balances") your
skin's surface is going to have an impact. "Gentle" products
will not have an impact. The few topical treatments that do
help are usually going to be on the harsh/drying side,
because that's what it takes to combat a cyst.
While a strong
supplement that targets oil regulation is good, more general
supplements that focus on antioxidants are unlikely
to have any effect. Again, oxidation and toxins in the skin
are not generally to blame for cysts, and treating the wrong
causes won't get you anywhere.
Be careful even
with exfoliation. For instance, rubbing too hard with an
exfoliating scrub may agitate the cyst, and thus lead to
more inflammation.
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