What is cystic acne?
Cystic acne is a rare but severe form of acne. It can be genetic, affecting people in families with a history of cystic acne. Cystic acne starts deep within the skin's pores and forms large, painful lumps that are filled with gunky food debris and dead skin cells (pimples). These lesions may take weeks to rise to the surface, where they can form a whitehead on top (a raised bump) or blackhead if the lesion opens up and exposes its contents via an opening at the surface. These lesions may lead to scarring as you heal from them if you don't treat them properly.
Cystic Acne is when a person’s body has high levels of male hormones and their oil glands are located on the face.
The acute acne is pictured by large, deep nodules that can be painful and sometimes can be popped. This type of acne normally occurs in people who are old enough to have started puberty, usually between the ages of 11 and 13 years old. This type of acne is often stubborn because it can continue even after antibiotics are given to kill off bacteria, which then leads to antibiotic resistance.
Acne is a condition caused due to changes in sebum production and has been studied for more than 2000 years. Acne is a known disease, which has been treated by antibiotics and other medications since the 1940s. Acne causes no permanent scars although there may be dark spots on the skin after acne clears up.
The main cause of acne depends on the type of acne it is. For example, pores are clogged by dead skin cells, oil and bacteria leading to inflammations when pores become too congested in the body. Acne can be caused by genetics, as most cases are inherited from parents or family members who have the same condition.
Some people with cystic acne and nodular acne have a genetic condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in which there is an excess of male hormones (androgens).
The other cause of acne can be triggered by the increase in the amount of cells that produce sebum.
Cystic acne is usually due to hormonal fluctuations. The increased production of sebum can cause blockage of hair follicles. Sebum contains fat, lipids, and proteins that solidify on hair follicles causing inflammation or inflammation within the skin tissues surrounding the hair follicle and swelling.
Hormones and enzymes in the skin cells cause pores to become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells. The body's immune system fights against this foreign material, producing a varying degree of inflammation, a process that gives rise to pimples that are red or yellowish.
When bacteria such as "Propionibacterium acnes" find their way into the blocked hair follicle, they produce enzymes which break down fatty acids into irritating substances such as irritant fatty acids. This causes further inflammation. This is called non-inflammatory acne. Acne bacteria do not actually have to be present for acne to occur, as long as conditions are right for them it will occur again.
