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Acne is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin.
Cystic acne is a more severe form of common acne, or acne vulgaris. Papules are the most common form of pimple, comprising a reddish bump, which is usually not painful. Papules are not to be confused with acne cysts, which are larger (five millimeters or more across), painful or tender, inflamed, and filled with pus.
Those who suffer from acne cysts may be tempted to squeeze them, but this is strongly not recommended. Squeezing an acne cyst may make an infection worse, more painful, and last longer.
The first step to a cystic acne cure is prevention.
The sebaceous glands of people with acne are especially sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, found naturally in both men and women.
Cystic Acne is a severe form of nodular acne which is characterized by deep infections that are nodule or cyst-like. Blackheads and whiteheads may or may not be present.
It is very difficult to determine why cystic acne appears. Cystic acne causes a lot of emotional distress and severe cases of cystic acne can be physically unpleasant as well. It can cause pain, recurrent bleeding and sometimes an unpleasant and foul smelling discharge. Though it is rare, but in some severe to severe cases, a cystic acne sufferer may develop a severe toxic condition that requires treatment in a hospital.
The different possible causes of cystic acne are as follows:
1) Stress can be a cause of cystic acne. Suppose you are worrying too much about your normal acne, the related stress can increase the production of androgens which in turn can increase the production of oil in the skin. The oil, bacteria and pieces of hair may affect the nearby areas of tissue. If it takes place deep below the surface of the skin, cysts may appear.
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2) The substances like hair, oil, and bacteria may not at all come to surface. Some of the stuff may leak out while the remaining may be left behind. As a result you may suffer from recurring cystic acne. That is why you get cysts always in the same area and in the same spot.
3) Another cause of cystic acne is diet. Though it is debatable whether food is a cause of acne or not, some researchers believe that certain foods cause inflammation. In fact, some research suggests that people have sensitivities to certain foods which may be the reason behind cystic acne.
4) Exercise can also be a cause of cystic acne. Certain type of exercises that are responsible for increasing the hormone can be the cause of cystic acne.
5) Refined sugar and starches can also be the cause of cystic acne. Sugar and starches are agreed upon by many as the possible causes of cystic as well as other forms of acne.
Acne scarring due to cystic acne can cause a lot of emotional trauma for the sufferer. You can receive effective treatment for cystic acne through consultation with a dermatologist. It can reduce the physical and psychological pain to a great extent.
Testosterone in people prone to acne triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the openings of the hair follicles (the tubes that hold the hair) are not shed properly and clog up the follicles.
These two effects combined cause a build-up of oil in the hair follicles. This causes blackheads and whiteheads to form.
For some people, their acne does not progress beyond this stage.
However in other people, the build-up of oil in the hair follicles creates an ideal environment for a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes to grow.
These bacteria normally live harmlessly on your skin but when this ideal environment is created, they grow. They feed off the sebum and produce substances that cause a response from your body’s immune system. This inflames the skin and creates the redness associated with spots.
In more severe ‘inflammatory acne’, cysts develop beneath the skin’s surface. These acne cysts can rupture, spreading the infection into nearby skin tissue. This can result in scarring.
Acne myths
Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by:
* eating fatty food or chocolate1
* dirt – blackheads get their dark colour through excess skin pigment – not dirt so washing more does not help, although if you do not wash your skin at all, bacteria will be able to multiply1,5
Some of the causes of cystic acne are not preventable. These non-preventable causes of cystic acne include:
- Genetics: A person is more likely to have acne if it runs in the family.
- Hormones: When a person is going through adolescence, the body produces androgens, which stimulate oil production. This oil can clog pores, which leads to acne. The menstrual cycle and birth control pills also entail hormonal changes, which can aggravate acne.
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