Stone acne: causes, characteristics, how to treat, and prevent it

The appearance of cystic pimples (cystic) which appear bigger, hard, bright red, and feels more painful than other types is certainly quite disturbing. These pimples are often covered with makeup so that they are not too obvious. Check out the causes and treatment.

What is cystic acne?

Cystic acne or known in the medical world as cystic acne is a type of acne that is quite severe. This condition forms deep in the skin caused by a blockage due to a buildup of dead skin cells.

Cystic acne can also appear due to trapping bacteria in the pores and eventually infecting the skin. As a result, pimples or large, red, pus-filled bumps form.

Some people with this condition feel pain when the pimples are accidentally touched. However, not a few also admit that they do not experience pain when pressing their pimples.

If this condition is not treated promptly, inflammation in the deepest layers of the skin can spread causing the pores to burst. As a result, the inflammation spreads to the surrounding skin tissue. Inflammation that has spread widely can trigger the appearance of new cystic acne.

Causes of cystic acne

Basically, the cause of cystic acne is the same as other forms of acne. This non-contagious skin disease stems from clogged pores due to excess oil (sebum), dirt, and dead skin cells.

Clogged pores make it easier for acne-causing bacteria to multiply, thereby infecting the surrounding skin tissue.

There are several factors that trigger clogging of skin pores as follows.

• Genetic, carrying genes from parents who have problems with acne prone skin.
• Sweating easily causes high skin moisture levels and bacteria are easier to breed.
• Using cosmetic products that are not suitable, especially for oily skin types.

One of the things that distinguishes cystic acne from other acne is the role of hormones. Cystic acne is greatly influenced by the balance of hormone levels in the body, namely the excessive production of androgen hormones.

Androgen hormones are hormones that support the function of the sexual organs. However, androgens can also stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands to produce sebum.

Excessive levels of androgens cause the sebaceous glands to become more active. As a result, sebum production becomes more, so that pores are more easily clogged and the skin is at risk of developing acne.

Hormonal imbalances usually occur at puberty, before menstruation, to suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Characteristics and symptoms of cystic acne

Generally, the main characteristic of cystic acne is a large red bump that resembles a boil. These pimples have a soft texture and are often painful to the touch. Even so, this pain does not happen to everyone.

Apart from the large, red bumps, there are a number of other symptoms that may indicate that you have cystic acne.

• Large lumps flatten without having a white crest that rises upward.
• Pus that will come out after the pimple ripens and bursts.

This condition is usually found on the face. However, this large, red pimple can also attack other parts of the body, namely acne on the body such as on the chest, back, and the area behind the ears.

Of the many pimples, cystic acne can last for weeks to months. After bursting, these pimples also trigger the skin to produce new pigment cells.

As a result, acne scars will disappear longer. Not only that, the skin color of acne scars will also be darker.

How to get rid of cystic acne

If you are worried about the appearance of cystic acne, you should consult your doctor about this problem. Initially, the doctor will diagnose this skin problem based on the appearance of your skin.

If it isn't a pimple that looks inflamed, red scars may appear.

After determining what type of acne your skin is experiencing, the doctor will usually provide treatment options to get rid of acne. Here are some treatments that doctors commonly recommend for cystic acne.

Topical medication

The choice of topical medication (ointment or cream) for acne usually depends on your age, the location of the acne, and the severity of your condition. Most patients will undergo acne treatment which affects the progression of their acne.

Here are some topical acne medicinal ingredients commonly used to get rid of cystic acne.

• Benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria (propionibacterium acnes)
• Retinoids, especially for patients who also have blackheads
• Azelaic acid to treat the problem of uneven skin tone
• Dapsone which is commonly used in women

During treatment, you are advised not to squeeze pimples. The reason is, squeezing pimples will only slow down the healing process of the skin. In fact, this habit can also cause infection and cause scars that are difficult to lose.

Antibiotics

If cystic acne is caused by a bacterial infection, it means you will need antibiotics to treat the problem. Antibiotics are used to reduce bacterial counts and reduce inflammation.

Unfortunately, these drugs do not work to suppress excess oil production and dead skin cells. Therefore, antibiotics are not used as a single treatment, but as additional drugs.

When using antibiotics, you also need to use benzoyl peroxide for optimal results. It also helps reduce the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.

Keep in mind that antibiotic acne treatment should only be used in the short term. If the acne gets better, the antibiotics will be stopped.

Hormone therapy

In addition to a combination of antibiotics and other drugs, hormone therapy is also carried out to get rid of cystic acne, especially for women. One type of drug for hormone therapy is spironolactone.

Spironolactone is usually used in women who experience inflammatory acne. The reason is, this drug can reduce the production of excess oil which can clog pores.

Although it is considered effective, the use of spironolactone has various side effects, especially for those who experience certain diseases. For example, people with heart disease, breast cancer, and cervix need to be careful with this drug.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin or better known as accutane is a drug commonly used to treat cystic acne. However, the use of this drug must be supervised by a doctor. The reason is, the determination of the dose of isotretinoin depends on the patient's body weight.

This method will be recommended for those of you who have tried antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide but have not made any progress.

It should be noted that the use of isotretinoin has certain side effects, such as chapped lips, joint pain, and liver damage. If you experience any of the symptoms, consult a dermatologist immediately.

Not only that, isotretinoin is also not recommended for pregnant women because it can cause congenital abnormalities, premature babies, and even death. Therefore, before being used by women, first make sure that they are not pregnant.

How to prevent cystic acne

Although it can heal and disappear, stubborn acne can come back, especially for those of you who have acne prone skin. Here are some ways you can prevent cystic acne.

• Wash your face 1-2 times a day.
• Limit acne-triggering foods, such as chocolate and dairy products.
• Take a shower immediately after exercising.
• Use a moisturizer and sunscreen, especially on the face and skin that is exposed to the sun.
• Enough sleep.
• Use water-based and oil-free cosmetic products.
• Avoid holding the face with dirty hands.
• Change bed linen at least once a month.

In addition to some of the habits above, you also need to manage stress so that cystic acne does not appear again. There are many things you can do to relieve your stress, such as taking up a favorite hobby or exercising regularly.