Acne Articles > How To Treat Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is one of the most severe forms of acne. It is characterized by hard painful cysts on the skin, caused by nodules forming under the skin. It lasts for weeks or even months, and therefore immediate medical attention should be sought.
A lot of people are asking how to treat cystic acne. A drug called Accutane is best for this type of acne. It works by reducig the size of oil glands therefore reducing the amount of natural oil produced. This means less clogging of pores since less oil is being produced.
Ultimately formation of pimples is reduced while those that existed before aren't irritated further.This medication also helps to reduce cell shedding and the stickiness in the follicles, which helps prevent the development of this painful type of acne.
An advantage of this drug is that there are no scars left on the patient. After a period of one to 20 weeks the acne is reduced or in some cases completely eliminated.
The disadvantage of this drug is that once the patient has stopped taking it, the acne returns and one has to begin taking it again. Another disadavantage is that it is very expensive. Also it has been linked to some adverse effects.
Some of these side effects include: inflammation of the lip, inflammation of the mucous membrane on the eyes, dry mouth, nose, or skin, itching, and muscle aches. Other more serious side effects reported include decreased levels of blood cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels, and abnormal liver enzymes.
This drug should therefore be taken under careful monitoring by a physican to make sure these side effects don't occur. If taking this medication results in the side effects mentioned, the good news is that stopping the medication usually stops the side effects.
The most serious side effect however is that it can cause serious birth defects. Therefore expectant mothers should be discontinued immediately from the medication. Similarly regular pregnancy test should be conducted on non-expectants to ensure that once they become pregnant, the medication is stopped.
Sufferers of this type of acne should find a treatment that works for them and consult their physician about it's effects.
How To Treat Cystic Acne
