Severe Acne Treatment

What is Severe Acne?

Acne is usually categorized as severe when it manifests as inflamed large cysts which can cause far reaching damage to the skin and leave behind ugly scarring. Severe acne treatment is in many cases usually carried out by a dermatologist. Many sufferers have to undergo years of treatment and it is possible to experience several treatment failures. There is as yet no definitive answer as to the causes of severe acne. There are several theories including an excess of sebum (the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands), a genetic disposition to the condition, a stressful lifestyle and some research has suggested sensitivity to certain foods may be a contributing factor.

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Treatment Options

There are several severe acne treatment options open to sufferers of the condition. Here we will take a look at some of the more popular methods from oral antibiotics, drainage and surgical excision, corticosteroid injection and isotretinoin. We will examine their benefits and also any drawbacks and side effects that users may experience.

Oral Antibiotics

The first option suggested by health care professionals are usually oral antibiotics, they have been a mainstay of severe acne treatment for many years. They work by reducing the P.acnes (a major factor in acne) which then helps to reduce inflammation. Initially the dosage prescribed is quite high and is then reduced as the condition improves. If the treatment isn't successful relatively quickly then the P.acnes has the potential to become resistant to the antibiotic being used. If this is the case then another antibiotic may be prescribed.

Drainage and Surgical Excision

Sometimes large cysts do not respond well to oral antibiotics, if this is the case then they may require drainage and extraction. It should be noted here that this is a procedure that should be carried out by a trained professional. They are well versed in the correct techniques and perform the procedure under sterile conditions. Under no circumstances should the acne sufferer themselves attempt to squeeze or pick at the cyst. This can easily lead to infection, a worsening of the condition and leave behind scarring that looks worse than the original outbreak.

Corticosteroid Injection

This severe acne treatment is used when a cyst becomes acutely inflamed and there is a possibility it will rupture and leave behind a nasty scar. To prevent this, dermatologists will inject these cysts with a diluted corticosteroid solution. This will help to reduce inflammation and help promote the healing process. This is achieved by melting the cyst over a period of around three to five days.

Isotretinoin

This severe acne treatment is usually only used as a last resort in cases where other treatments have proved ineffective. It is a synthetic retinoid (type of vitamin A) that is taken in tablet form once or twice a day for around four to five months. It is a very aggressive treatment that attacks the four main factors that can cause the acne condition, excess oil, clogged pores, P.acnes and inflammation. Such is its aggressive nature that it cannot be prescribed to all acne sufferers due to the number of potential side effects. These can include severe chest pains, headaches, blurred vision, nausea or vomiting and dryness of the skin, nose and eyes amongst other possible adverse reactions. It is because of these potential nasty side effects that many doctors and healthcare professionals see isotretinoin as very much a last resort option.