The blemishes themselves can become large, measuring up to several centimeters across.
This article discusses the causes of cystic acne and the scars it can leave.
It also covers who is at risk for cystic acne along with what can be done to treat it.
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Acne cysts are the most serious kind of acne blemish.
They feel like soft, fluid-filled lumps under the skin’s surface.
Acne cysts are painful.
People with nodulocystic acne develop acne nodules as well as acne cysts.
Acne nodules are hard, painful lumps under the skin’s surface.
Much larger thanacne papules, nodules form deep within the skin and take a long time to heal.
Some skincare experts believe acne cysts are not really cysts at all, but rather severely inflamed nodular breakouts.
For those who have nodules, but do not have cystic lesions, the termnodular acneis more accurate.
Talk to your primary care provider to get a referral to someone who can help.
Scarring
Nodulocystic breakouts damage and destroy healthy skin tissue.
Because of this, the likelihood of developingscarsis extremely high.
Aggressively treating this form of acne can helpminimize scarring.
Avoid picking at or trying to pop acne cysts or nodules.
Doing so can greatly damage the skin, lead to scarring, and even worsen your acne.
Some people may avoid mirrors or shy away from social situations.
If this break occurs near the skin’s surface, the blemish is usually minor and heals quickly.
Deeper breaks in the follicle wall cause more serious lesions.
Some people are more prone to developing these types of serious breakouts than others.
Cystic acne is not triggered by drinking soda, eating sweets, or a lack of cleansing.
Rest assured that you did nothing to cause your skin problems.
Genetics of Acne
Acne seems to run in families.
If your parents had cystic acne, you are more likely to experiencesevere acneyourself.
Treatment
Cystic and nodulocystic acne should be treated by a dermatologist.
Powerful systemic medications are usually required.
Systemic medications circulate through the whole body, rather than targeting just one part.
Acne of this severity can be hard to control.
Don’t be discouraged if the first treatment attempt fails.
It may take several tries to find the treatment or combination of treatments that work for you.
A Word From Verywell
Severe acne like cystic acne is painful and can make you self-conscious.
While you might’t help your breakouts, you don’t have to just live with them.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can clear severe acne?
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Living with acne.
2016;74(5):945-73.e33.
