Treatments for Teen Cystic Acne

In general, acne can be very disturbing for teenagers.  It not only affects their physical appearance, but can also scar their self-confidence…and, as acne goes, Cystic acne is considered to be one of the worst types. Cystic acne gets its name from the cysts that form on the surface of skin when they start breaking out.  While most teens who suffer from cystic acne feel like the problem is overwhelming, cystic acne treatment does not need to be complicated or daunting for teens or their parents.

Cystic Acne Is a Type of Acne

Acne is a general term used to refer to swollen pustules on the surface of the skin due to infection and cystic acne is the most severe form of such an infection. The outburst is not only the harshest, but also the most painful and cannot be cured overnight. Although the infection is mostly seen at the onset of adolescence and is blamed upon a hormonal change, the main cause of the infection cannot be defined specifically… and can actually vary from individual to individual. Most cases of teen cystic acne should be treated by a doctor because powerful systemic medications are usually required. Acne of this severity can be hard to control and you shouldn’t be discouraged if the first treatment fails.  And, because cystic acne varies from person to person, it may take several tries to find the treatment or combination of treatments that work best for your teen.

Cystic Acne Treatment: Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotic treatments are often used to reduce the amount of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.  Like topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics work by reducing the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts. They also help decrease inflammation of the skin.  For young women, oral contraceptive pills can alter the natural female hormonal pattern and, therefore, often improve hormonal-based acne breakouts. A combination of estrogen and progestin, oral contraceptives work to reduce oil gland secretions by suppressing androgen hormones. Isotretinoin , a Vitamin A derivative, is a powerful oral medication that works by shrinking the oil glands in the skin…by controlling the oil, breakouts are also controlled. Other, more invasive, cystic acne treatments are surgical excision and drainage whereby a doctor makes a small incision in the skin and extracts the infected material or Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections where medication is injected directly into the lesion to reduce inflammation and shrink the blemish.

While hormonal changes or imbalances and collection of dirt on the skin are some of the prime causes, some skin care experts and medical practitioners claim that many times cystic acne is hereditary.  Therefore, it is important for parents and teens to work together on the treatment of cystic acne in order to reach the ultimate goal of clear skin and happy teen years. Always keep in mind that cystic acne can cause your teenager both physical and emotional pain and is also completely out of your teenager’s control.  This is necessary in order to be compassionate and helpful rather than critical; your teens did nothing to cause their cystic acne, but can do many things to help it.