Acne develops in almost everyone, and this is especially true during one’s teenage years that it’s considered as a rite of passage to adulthood. Acne hits everyone differently too, and just because you’ve experienced moderate breakout during your younger years doesn’t mean that you won’t ever develop acne later in life.
The threat of acne doesn’t end there. While regular acne is usually due to dirt, oil, stress, and even hormonal changes brought about by age, more severe acne cases like cystic acne can occur and can actually start as regular acne.
There are a lot of risk factors that you might encounter when dealing with acne, so it’s best to know what cystic acne is so you’ll learn how to manage your risk in developing it, as well as the best cystic acne remedies for prevention and relief.
Cystic acne is a more severe form of acne, and it could manifest as deep, hard, and painful sores. This will look like large red bumps on your skin that can last far longer than normal acne. While acne generally develops on the surface of your skin due to your pores getting clogged with bacteria or dead skin cells, cystic acne gets deeper into the skin and may form cysts inside hair follicles filled with pus. It can form not just in the face, but also on your neck, shoulders, arms, or back.
Cystic acne also differs from regular acne in that it might not appear as “poppable” acne. It instead tends to stay underneath your skin due to the cyst that has formed. Thus, it could also be a cause of swelling in the area where it grows.
Since cystic acne usually starts off as your usual acne breakout, they are caused by similar things, including:
Other factors such as certain illnesses, pregnancy, menopause, as well as some skincare products and allergic reactions can also trigger acne.
Cystic Acne Risks
Your risks of developing cystic acne increase with certain factors. The more susceptible you are to acne, such as when you’re between the teenage years, the more likely you’ll develop cystic acne. Men are more likely to develop severe acne, and there is also an increased risk for those whose parents experienced cystic acne throughout their life.
What Complications Can Cystic Acne Bring?
Touching and popping acne can cause it to scar and may lead to more severe infection and spreading. This is especially the case with cystic acne—since they’re buried deep in your skin, trying to pop them will more likely lead to deep pits and holes that may scar over. These scars could become permanent, so it’s best to avoid scarring to keep your skin clear.
The best way to avoid scarring is to just leave your acne alone—certain treatments can address scarring and discoloration, but it’s better to learn and apply prevention methods rather than wait around for it to occur and get worse.
You may have encountered certain “myths” when it comes to dealing with acne. This includes acne prevention tips that are said to help alleviate your breakouts and perhaps even do-it-yourself home remedies that help specifically with cystic acne. Ideally, you should always consult your doctor when trying remedies for the first time so you can avoid those that can potentially be harmful. While some might make sense, others may actually pose more risks than benefits:
Touching your acne
Applying toothpaste
Exfoliating too much
Having an unhealthy diet
While there are no quick one-shot treatments against cystic acne, there are a lot of available remedies that range from small lifestyle changes to prescription medicines that you can take. The best first step, though, is to talk to your doctor for consultation.
Prescription medicine
Antibiotics
Oral contraceptives
Salicylic acid
Alternative home remedies
Of course, while there are remedies to help you deal with cystic acne, it’s still best to minimize your risk of developing it in the first place. Here are some steps you can take that may be useful:
Keep your face clean.
Avoid irritants on your skin.
Tie your hair, and avoid heavy hair products.
Use UV protection.
Avoid tight accessories and clothing that can irritate your skin.
Stop picking at your acne.
Avoid stress, and live a healthy lifestyle.
While cystic acne is a severe form of acne and can be quite disruptive, it can easily be remedied with the right attitude by observing proper hygiene and self-care. Always consult your doctor for the best way to address your condition, especially when considering new treatments for your acne.
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