Are You Getting the Right Treatment for Your Severe Acne?
There's acne and then there's acne. If you're one of the many people who suffer from severe acne, you need to be aware of which type you have. Without this information, your acne treatments may be ineffective or doing more harm than good. Discover the four types of severe acne, get the right treatment, and have beautiful, clear skin once more.
Acne Conglobata
This severe type of acne is more common among men and usually happens between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age. You'll know if you have this type of acne by the large nodules that form and the extreme inflammation. Other signs are deep abscesses, inflammation, very noticeable blackheads that appear on the face, neck, upper arms, and buttocks.
Acne conglobata can cause disfigurement and severe scarring. Before a full-fledged breakout of this type, you will usually have cysts, papules, or pustules first. Instead of healing, they deteriorate and develop into this type of severe acne. The good news is this type of acne is uncommon.
See a dermatologist for acne conglobata. Your doctor will most likely prescribe a full-strength systemic medication and antibiotics. For severe cases, it will take several treatments before you have relief.
Acne Fulminans
Most types of acne start and worsen gradually. Acne Fulminans is characterized by sudden onset. It appears suddenly, without warning, and you may also have fever, inflammation and aching of your joints. The blemishes are severe.
Your acne treatment consists of corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines prescribed by your dermatologist.
Gram Negative Fulliculitis
This type of acne is a bacterial infection of hair follicles. Sometimes acne patients develop this type of acne after treatment for other types of acne with antibiotics for long periods of time.
If this happens, your acne will require treatment with antibiotics that your acne isn't resistant to.
Nodulocystic Acne
Most cases of acne involve having many pimples but not cysts. With Nodulocystic Acne, you'll have many cysts, some of which can be quite large reaching several centimeters in width.
You may have just one large cyst or in a worst-case scenario, you may have several cysts that merge. The cysts are a result of inflammation of oil ducts or pores. Inflamed cysts can become pus-filled and hard.
Do not try to drain these cysts yourself. The result will be scarring. As unsightly as the cysts are, the scars are worse and much more difficult to get rid of.
For treatment, see a dermatologist. He will prescribe aggressive treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics. For cysts that are especially large or stubborn, the dermatologist my drain them or surgically remove them.
If you have one of these four types of acne, don't lose hope. There is treatment for each of these types. For proper treatment, you must see a dermatologist the get the right type of medication and to prevent further spreading and scarring.