How to get rid of stubborn cystic acne

Acne comes in all shapes, sizes and forms, but cystic acne is the most severe. It appears as large, deep, pus-filled bumps on the skin that are painful and cause scarring. The bump, or cyst, starts when a pore gets clogged with oil along with bacteria that builds up deep within your skin.

While cystic acne usually appears on the face, it can also affect your neck, chest, shoulders and back. You are typically more likely to get cystic acne in your teens or early 20s, but you can experience it as young as 8 years old or even in your 50s.

“Cystic acne can leave permanent scars without proper treatment,” explains Dr. Jane Harrell, a dermatologist at Aurora Health Care. “At-home treatments and over-the-counter products usually don’t work for this type of acne. However, a dermatologist can offer more effective treatment options.”

Living with severe acne can also lead to poor self-esteem, depression or anxiety. Getting treatment for acne not only can clear up the cysts but it can also boost your confidence and improve your mental health.

What causes cystic acne?

There are multiple contributing causes. Hormonal changes from puberty and young adulthood can trigger cystic acne. Your hormones may also be affected by certain medications, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

Cystic acne can also be caused by certain skin and hair care products. Genetics can also play a role. For example, if one of your parents had cystic acne, you are more likely to have it. This is especially true with adult acne, which occurs after age 25.

What doesn’t cause cystic acne?

Despite what you may have heard, eating chocolate or greasy foods, like chips and fries, does not cause acne. However, dairy or high glycemic foods may cause acne to become worse.

“If you start to notice a pattern between foods you eat and breakouts, I recommend keeping a food diary and bringing it to your dermatology appointment,” Dr. Harrell advises.

Treating cystic acne

While cystic acne is challenging to treat and it may take a few months to see improvement, there is an arsenal of highly effective oral and topical prescription medications your dermatologist may recommend. These include:

• Antibiotics to control bacterial infection and inflammation
• Isotretinoin which resets how your pores shed skin cells and how much oil your skin produces. It’s highly regarded as the most effective medication for acne. Your dermatologist will closely monitor you for any side effects.
• Birth control pills for women to regulate hormones
• Spironolactone for adult women, which targets hormones

Are you trying to find a dermatologist? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.