Cystic Acne and How To Treat It

Cystic acne is definitately one of the most severe and feared forms of acne. It starts with nodules forming under skin’s surface which eventually harden into painful cyst eruptions. This type of acne requires medical attention, and usually persists for long period of times.

Cystic acne is most often treated with a drug called Accutane. Accutane is an oral medication taken once or twice a day for four to 5 months. It is believed to reduce the size of the oil glands so that less oil is produced. Less oil means fewer pores becoming clogged, therefore the formation of pimples and cysts is reduced.

Accutane also reduces cell shedding and stickiness within the follicles, which further helps prevent the development of this painful skin condition.

Advantages of this drug is that it is a very effective medication to prevent extensive scarring in patients. After one to twenty weeks of use, acne is reduced or completely gone. The downside to this is that when the patient stops taking Accutane, the acne often returns.

There are other disadvantages to taking Accutane to [tag]control acne[/tag], and each should be considered before commiting to this drug. It is expensive and has been linked to some very adverse effects.

Those potential side effects include inflammation of the lip, inflammation of the mucous membrane on the eyes, dry mouth, nose, or skin, itching, and muscle aches. More serious side effects include decreased levels of blood cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels, as well as abnormal liver enzyme levels. Patients taking Accutane are usually monitored by a physician to monitor the risk of side effects.

The good news is that those side effects usually go away after the medication has stopped. If you are using this drug and experience any of these side effects, it is crucial that you tell your doctor immediately.

Finally, the most serious adverse effect of this drug is that it can cause birth defects. Women who are taking this drug are advised to take a pregnancy test each month to be sure the drug is stopped should they become pregnant. There are other rules that women should follow pertaining to this drug therapy and having children, so again, it is important to consult your physician in all cases.

Now you know why [tag]cystic acne[/tag] is feared by many.