Cystic Acne Treatments – Part 1

Acne is a condition that affects many people throughout their lives. Doctors estimate that 4 out of 5 people from 12 to 24 years are affected by acne at least once. And since acne can appear in people through their 50s those numbers are probably even higher.

Cystic acne is the most embarrassing and most painful type of acne. Cystic acne is also the most difficult to treat. Most treatment plans include medications and treatments that are not available over the counter, including medications and steroid injections directly into the cyst.

Treatment for cystic acne should be started quickly if you suspect the cysts you have are cystic. Appointments with a dermatologist are often difficult to get and require about 2 months of waiting for new patients. You should call and make an appointment as soon as you believe you may want to visit a dermatologist for cystic acne treatment.

Treatment is important to begin quickly because this type of acne causes scarring and pitting of the skin. The blemishes are often unsightly, pus filled and with a red or purple hue to the surrounding skin. The nodules are generally at least 5 millimeters in diameter.

Dermatologists are able to give you the best options available for your skin type and your acne. Cystic acne doesn’t disappear on its own and if it does it takes weeks, sometimes months, to heal.

One natural cystic acne treatment that you can try at home waiting for your appointment with the dermatologist involves juicing a fresh apricot and applying it to your skin. This often brings relief from the pain and can help to heal the cysts more quickly. Apricots have an anti-inflammatory effect. You can leave the juice on your face for several hours before bedtime.

Another treatment that can be tried at home which is safe and often effective is tea tree oil. The oil can be purchased from the health food store or online and should be applied directly to the skin. The oil has antibacterial properties, which helps to break up the infection and speed healing.

References:

(1) Drugs.com: Isotretinoin

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/isotretinoin.html

(2) US National Library of Medicine: Acne

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001876/