Acne is a widespread problem that primarily affects adolescents. Most people suffer from mild or common forms of acne, however, a smaller percentage suffer from forms of severe acne, like cystic acne.

Severe acne can be categorized into 4 different types: acne conglobata, acne fulminans, gram negative folliculitis and the aforementioned nodulocystic acne. Don't expect these types of acne to simply disappear on their own. If you have any of these types of acne, it is imperative to consult with a medical professional.

However, the primary focus of this article will be centered on nodulocystic acne. This means that we will review characteristic and treatment options for this type of persistent acne.

Nodulocystic Acne: The Most Common Characteristics

Cysts are not common in mild cases of acne. But, they are prevalent in nodulocystic acne. These types of acne cysts may vary in size from very small to more than an inch in diameter.

Acne cysts are usually nodules of inflammation that can also be filled with fluid. Most people will quickly start picking at these cysts, but in doing so they are risking skin damage and subsequent scarring.

These cysts can be widespread or isolated and often appear around the face, scalp, neck, chest, shoulders, or back. Sometimes these cysts will blend together causing more damage and leading to another form of severe acne: acne conglobata.

For some acne sufferers these cysts can be the source of pain and itching. If this is your case then you should seek professional help before beginning a skin care regimen.

Treating Nodulocystic Acne

Just like with other acne conditions, nodulocystic acne can be mild or severe. In the case of mild cystic acne the best treatment is probably a good acne cream. Isolated cysts may also be spot-treated. If you suffer from a mild case of cystic acne, it is advisable to visit your dermatologist.

When dealing with more severe cases, cystic acne treatment might require a combination of isotreitinoin and antibiotics. Steroid injections may also be needed to help dissolve cysts and nodules quickly.

It may be necessary to resort to surgery to remove cysts if these do not respond to other treatment options. Draining cysts is also a possibility in some cases.

If you want to avoid cystic acne or simple want to complement the above mentioned treatments as much as possible, then it would be wise to be vigilant with your cleansing routine. This is also important if you want to keep skin free from debris and excess oils. Remember, healthy skin is better equipped to handle aggression both from within and outside of the body.