How to Treat an Acne Cyst

How to Treat an Acne Cyst
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The occasional breakout can be uncomfortable and make you feel less than confident. But developing an acne cyst can make you want to hide from public view forever. Even worse, acne cysts can cause severe scarring. That makes it all the more important for you to seek out appropriate treatment for your acne cysts as soon as you notice them. These blemishes hardly ever go away on their own, so you'll need to find and utilize the right treatment for your skin.

Step 1

See your dermatologist and have your acne cysts injected with corticosteroids. These injections cut back inflammation and help lesions heal from the inside out. After a few days, cysts will start to dry up, greatly minimizing the risk of scarring.

Step 2

Take antibiotics to treat your acne cysts. Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline are effective at killing the bacteria that cause acne. You'll likely continue taking this medication for several months to ensure the complete eradication of bacteria.

Step 3

Undergo surgery to have your acne cysts removed. If impenetrable by conventional treatments, acne cysts will need to be drained by your dermatologist and subsequently removed. During this procedure, sterile tools are used to cut away the cyst and stitch up the tissue. This minimizes scarring and prevents further skin damage.

Step 4

Request a prescription for isotretinoin, or Accutane, from your dermatologist. This drug causes your oil glands to shrink and helps kill acne bacteria over time. For many, one course of treatment is enough to get rid of acne for good. That being said, Accutane carries the risk of several side effects, such as depression and birth defects. Women have to be on oral birth control to ensure pregnancy does not occur.

References

Article reviewed by Jennifer S Last updated on: Aug 24, 2010

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