Effective treatments for cystic acne

Effective treatments for cystic acne

What is cystic acne?

Cystic acne (more specifically nodulocystic acne) is an acute or severe form of acne that derives its name from the cysts that accompany this acne condition. These cysts are actually inflammatory nodules that result from an abnormal expansion of a normal skin structure.

The cysts usually develop from a papular or nodular acne lesion as it penetrates deeper into the skin and produces a local immune response. Cysts may appear only on the face or may develop primarily on the face. However, they can soon appear in other areas such as the neck, shoulders, back, chest, arms and even affect the scalp. When the cysts become infected, they can be painful and appear to be filled with thick, yellow purulent fluid.

Cystic acne is a disfiguring form of severe acne as it causes cell destruction and permanent scarring on the skin. Sometimes a cyst can even measure several centimeters in diameter, resulting in deep keloid scars. Cystic acne is most feared because of this disfiguring aspect of scarring, which can last ten or more years and lead to serious consequences. In today's appearance-conscious society, cystic acne can ruin personal and professional prospects, psychologically draining and devastating the person.

Nodular cysts that occur close together can merge, causing significant 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:

1. Orale Medikamente (hauptsächlich Antibiotika und Kontrazeptiva)
2. Isotretinoin
3. Intraläsionale Kortikosteroid-Injektionen und
4. Chirurgische Exzision

Topical antibiotics and warm water compresses are prescribed for early stages or mild cases of cystic acne.

Oral medications

Oral antibiotics have been the mainstay of acne treatment for many years. Treatment begins with a high dosage of antibiotics, which is reduced as the acne condition improves. Antibiotics such as doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline and tetracycline are known to be effective against cystic acne. The only backlash from antibiotic treatment is that the acne bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotic used to treat it. In this case it must be followed with another antibiotic.

Oral contraceptives are also effective in curing acne in women. Birth control pills work by suppressing overactive sebaceous glands.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin, a retinoid related to vitamin A, is an effective oral treatment for patients with severe cystic acne. Isotretinoin works by reducing sebum production, thereby unclogging the skin's pores and preventing the formation of new comedones. The opening of the hair follicles simultaneously suppresses the growth of anaerobic bacteria that cause inflammation. Isotretinoin produces best results when used in the early stages (it is not effective on pre-existing scars). Isotretinoin medication is usually continued for fifteen to twenty weeks.

Intralesional corticosteroid (CS) injections

Intralesional corticosteroids have been successfully used to treat a variety of dermatologic and nondermatologic conditions, including cystic acne. Intralesional therapy or intralesional injection means injecting the drug directly into the skin lesion. This results in a higher concentration of the drug at the site of the disease, so it works faster and delivers better results.

Intralesional corticosteroid injections are used when an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed. Injections diluted with corticosteroids not only relieve pain and inflammation, but also help prevent scarring on the skin by preventing the cyst from rupturing. After intralesional therapy with one of the steroids, namely triamcinolone acetonide (TA) or triamcinolone hexacetonide, hydrocortisone acetate, methylprednisolone, the cyst melts (in 3 to 5 days) and the regeneration and healing process begins.

All of the above treatments have both advantages and disadvantages; Therefore, a consultation with your dermatologist (informing your health condition) is a must.

Surgical excision

Acne surgery or surgical excision and removal of acne is performed if the cysts do not respond to medication. The treatment involves manual extraction of blackheads and whiteheads using a sharp instrument such as a round loop extractor that removes the blackhead or whitehead within the cyst. This form of surgery should only be carried out by trained dermatologists under absolutely sterile conditions. Extraction by unqualified people can lead to tearing of the skin tissue, which can then trigger infection by skin-based bacteria, leading to greater inflammation.

Cystic acne, like all acne diseases, is curable; it just needs immediate attention and proper treatment.

Inspired by Frank Cordova