Cystic acne is often painful and uncomfortable. Its large size, reddish color, and filled with pus make these pimples often interfere with appearance. However, you don't need to worry, because this type of acne can be removed if handled properly.
Acne can appear when the skin pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This condition can affect anyone and can occur in any part of the body, especially the face, chest, back, and shoulders.
Acne can also be caused by bacteria trapped under the skin, causing swelling and redness. When these bacteria infect areas that are deep below the surface of the skin and cause pus-filled bumps, this is known as cystic acne.
If these bumps burst, the infection can spread and the pimple will multiply. Therefore, proper treatment is needed so that cystic acne does not get worse.
Causes of Stone Acne
The exact cause of cystic acne is not known. However, an increase in androgen hormones in the body is known to be one of the triggers.
During adolescence, androgen hormone levels increase and cause changes in the skin. These changes can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to acne breakouts.
In addition, there are several conditions that cause cystic acne to appear, including:
- Menstruation
- Pregnant
- Menopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Stone acne can also appear if you are on certain medications, do not match the skin care products you use, or sweat excessively.
Although it generally occurs in adolescence, cystic acne can also attack adults to the elderly. This condition is more common in those who have a family history of cystic acne.
Stone Acne Treatment
Stone acne usually cannot be completely cured by using over-the-counter acne medications. Further treatment is needed by a doctor so that cystic acne does not spread and cause scars.
The following are some treatments to get rid of cystic acne and prevent the appearance of scar tissue on the skin:
Administration of drinking drugs
Antibiotics are generally used to reduce bacterial growth. Giving antibiotics will be adjusted to the type of acne, age, to general health conditions. In addition, its use should also be as short as possible to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Treatment of cystic acne can also be done with a combination of contraceptive pills containing progestin and estrogen, spironolactone, or isotretinoin.
Administration of ointment
The most common types of topical medications used to treat acne are medications that contain retinoids (vitamin A). This medication is usually used to treat and prevent severe acne.
Retinoids are often used in conjunction with topical antibiotics for optimal results. These topical medications are usually available in the form of creams, gels, and lotions.
In addition to retinoids, topical medications used to treat cystic acne are salicylic acid and dapsone. Salicylic acid can prevent clogging of pores, while dapsone is used for inflamed acne.
Therapy
In addition to medication, there are several types of therapy that are recommended to treat cystic acne, including:
- light therapy
- Extraction or removal of blackheads with special tools, both black and white blackheads
- Exfoliation or peeling with chemicals, such as salicylic acid
- Corticosteroid injections directly into the pimple to reduce inflammation and reduce pain
However, keep in mind that all treatments and therapies to treat cystic acne must be handled by a dermatologist directly. In addition, never squeeze a pimple that appears because it can cause acne scars that are difficult to remove.
How to Prevent Stone Acne
Taking medication for acne alone is not enough to eliminate and prevent cystic acne from reappearing. It is recommended that you do the following to prevent cystic acne from appearing:
- Wash your face regularly at least 2 times a day using a mild soap.
- Get enough rest time at least 7-9 hours every day.
- Do exercise regularly.
- Keep the body clean by bathing 2 times a day.
- Don't pop the pimple.
- Wash your hands often, especially before touching your face.
- Reduce stress to prevent the production of hormones that can aggravate cystic acne.
- Choose products for acne-prone skin that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid that can reduce excess oil on the skin's surface.
- Avoid using facial scrub, masks, astringents, or products that contain oil, as they can irritate the skin and make acne worse.
- Clean objects that frequently come into contact with your face, such as cell phones, hoods, helmets, hats, and towels.
In addition, you can also maintain your diet and regulate your daily food intake. A study shows that limiting sugar intake can relieve acne symptoms.
Stone acne is not only at risk of leaving scars on the skin, but also causes discomfort and interferes with appearance and self-confidence. So that cystic acne heals quickly and the healing results are good, consult a doctor to get the right treatment.