When acne manifests as large inflamed cysts it will usually be categorized as severe. Most cases of severe acne are usually treated by a dermatologist or health care professional. Some sufferers of the condition have to undergo several years of treatment and many will experience treatment failure along the way.

Although there are several theories as to the cause of severe acne, there is as yet, no definitive answer as to why people contract the condition. Some schools of thought suggest that sufferers may have a genetic disposition to the ailment, other contributing factors could include a stressful lifestyle, an excess of oil secreted by the sebaceous glands or sensitivity to certain foods.

In this article we will take a look at some of the treatment options available to severe acne sufferers. We will look at their advantages as well as any potential adverse reactions that users may experience.

As a mainstay of severe acne treatment, oral antibiotics are usually the first option that most health care professionals will turn to. These help to reduce redness and inflammation by attacking the P. acnes bacteria, a major factor in the acne condition. Sufferers will initially be prescribed a high dosage which is then reduced as the situation improves. One drawback to this option is that if results are not achieved quickly the P. acnes has the potential to become resistant to the antibiotic being used.

If the condition does not respond to antibiotics another option open to dermatologists is drainage and extraction. This is where the bacteria are removed directly from the cyst. Sometimes acne sufferers will feel tempted to try and do this themselves. This is not advisable as doing this has the potential to cause infection and leave behind scarring, making the situation worse than it was to begin with. This procedure should always be carried out by a trained professional. They are trained in the correct techniques and will carry out the procedure under sterile conditions.

When acne cysts become acutely inflamed and there is the possibility of rupture and nasty scarring, many skin care professionals will use a corticosteroid injection. They will use a diluted corticosteroid solution and inject it directly into the cyst. As well as helping to reduce inflammation it will also be beneficial in the healing process.

One final severe acne treatment option is the use of Isotretinoin. This is seen by many health care professionals as a last resort option due to the potential for nasty side effects. It is a synthetic retinoid (type of vitamin A) that is usually prescribed for a period of four to five months. It works by attacking several factors that can cause acne, these are excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation and the P. acnes bacteria. It is a very aggressive treatment program that is not given to all acne sufferers due to the potential for adverse reactions. These can include nausea and vomiting, headaches, blurred vision and severe chest pains. It is because of these side effects that Isotretinoin is usually only prescribed when all other avenues have been explored.

For more information on severe acne treatment options check out Severe Acne Treatment. For tips and ideas on how to manage your acne condition go to Acnegenius.

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