Acne is one of the most common conditions among teenagers, although people of all ages suffer from it. There are different types of acne, though, and some can be worse than others. Many consider cystic acne one of the more troublesome types of acne.

Cystic acne is the type of acne that is characterized by pimples filled with pus – the kind you probably feel compelled to squeeze. Although they can be painful, it is not a good idea to pop them, as you will not only let more bacteria into the wound and possibly cause a more serious infection, but the material that comes out will almost always just cause more cystic acne in the surrounding area. So keep your hands off! You will only make it worse.

So what can you do about cystic acne?

Sometimes over-the-counter acne creams will help clear it up, but it’s one of the most slow-healing types of acne. Cystic acne is one of the types of acne that is best treated by a dermatologist. This type of acne can also frequently leave you with scarring, especially if you squeeze or pop the cysts. It is important, then, to get your acne treated medically.

Your doctor may give you a stronger acne cream than you can get in stores. More likely you will be prescribed an oral medication, such as an antibiotic. This is often more helpful in the case of cystic acne than other types. Accutane, whish is a trade name for the medicine Isotretinoin, is also used to treat cystic acne. It is very effective, and an also prevent the scarring so often caused by the cystic type of acne. The treatment with Accutane takes several months, and often continues to keep acne from reoccurring after the treatment has stopped. However, it has many side effects, from dry mouth to nosebleeds to sun sensitivity and more, as well as sometimes causing depression. Accutane is not allowed to be given to pregnant women because it can be dangerous to the fetus. So while it can be quite miraculous in the treatment of cystic acne, it is usually only used when other methods have failed.

Prevention is probably the best and easiest idea when it comes to dealing with cystic acne. Keep your skin clean, wash the face twice a day with a good facial cleanser, and drink lots of water. Exfoliate several times a week, and maybe you won’t end up with any acne at all!

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