Severe Acne
Severe acne involves deep cysts or nodules. The condition is often very inflamed, painful and may cause permanent scars and damage to the skin. Severe acne should be treated by a dermatologist. While the treatment for this type of acne can take years, it can be very successful.
Treatments include:
- Isotretinoin: This medication is the most effective treatment available for severe cystic acne in children 12 and over. It’s the only one that works on all four things that are responsible for acne: too much oil, blocked skin pores, bacteria and inflammation. Isotretinoin is taken by mouth once or twice a day for 16 to 20 weeks, and one course of treatment usually does the trick. It can cause potentially serious side effects, which you and your child should discuss with the dermatologist. Because it also can cause serious birth defects, female patients must have a pregnancy test and use contraceptives, and all patients regardless of age or gender must enroll in a patient registry.
- Drainage or surgical extraction: Some cysts do not respond to medication and may require drainage or surgical extraction by a dermatologist.
- Corticosteroid injections: These injections may be used to treat severely inflamed cystic acne. The medication melts the cyst in three to five days. The injection can reduce the inflammation and pain, help the acne heal and prevent scarring.
Next: Adult-Specific Treatments
