Few Facts on Acne Cysts

Do you have small, fatty, and colorless bumps on your face, which you are madly trying to get rid of, but they just aren't going away? They are most certainly acne cysts that have a striking resemblance to small pimples, but do not respond to acne treatment.

What Is An Acne Cyst?

Cyst is a type of acne that occurs when the sebaceous glands produce more oil (sebum) than the body requires. This excess oil accumulates around the pores, lying just beneath the skin, clogging them over a period of time. The sebum, thus accumulated, on coming in contact with bacteria becomes infectious, giving rise to what are known as acne cysts. The sebaceous glands are in turn, triggered by hormonal imbalances; in case of females 'androgen', and in case of males 'testosterone'. During teenage, hormonal imbalances are bound to occur, in response to several biological changes happening inside a human body. These imbalances trigger the sebaceous glands, making them secrete excess sebum, which then clogs the skin pores, forming acne cysts. Acne cysts may keep recurring till the age of 25, and then resurface after the 30s. People with oily skin and those leading highly stressful and sedentary lifestyles are more prone to cysts.

How To Cure Acne Cysts?

Cysts are curable however, it's best to let them heal on their own, unless they are severe. They cause a great deal of mental trauma to people which at times even leads to depression. It is therefore important to know about the do's and don'ts during such condition.

First and foremost, do not prick a cyst. Rubbing and pricking can break open the delicate hair follicle, spilling out inflammatory contents of the cyst into the dermis and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Making matters worse, a cyst could even leave, hyperpigmentation, a discoloration in dark skin patients. Generally, topical medications do not work on acne cysts. They are mostly treated with oral antibiotics or injections. For patients with less severe cysts, daily steroid injections could be used to shrink the cysts. In such cases, topical retinoid like Avita, Differin, Tazorac, Retin A, can help in improving the skin, such that chances of acne or cysts in future are minimized.

Oral antibiotics could also help in the treatment of acne cysts by reducing the degree of inflammation that often accompanies these skin lesions. Severe cysts can be cured with Accutane. However, Accutane could show serious side effects in some patients. One should therefore discuss the related risks and the necessary precautions with a reputed dermatologist before taking any medication.