According to "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice," skin nodules are the most severe form of acne vulgaris. Skin nodules present as large, hard bumps under the skin that are tender and painful. Though eliminating mild to moderate acne can typically be accomplished easily with a few at-home treatments, removing skin nodules requires a carefully calculated plan of attack. If you do not see favorable results after treating your skin nodules at home for six weeks, visit a dermatologist to explore other treatment options.
Step 1
Cleanse the skin affected by the nodules with a gentle cleanser. According to "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice," cleansers that are marked for sensitive skin are suitable for use in cleansing skin with nodules. Use gentle circular motions to cleanse your skin. Avoid scrubbing motions that can rupture pimples, causing scarring and spreading infection.
Step 2
Apply a dab of benzoyl peroxide cream to a cotton swab and gently use the cotton swab to apply the cream to the nodules. According to "Braun-Falco's Dermatology," it is best to use benzoyl peroxide cream with no greater than 2.5 percent concentration, since a greater concentration can cause irritation. Additionally, be certain to use a clean cotton swab for each nodule to avoid spreading infection.
Step 3
Apply a dime-sized amount of moisturizer to the skin affected by the nodules. Gently massage the moisturizer into your skin. According to "Handbook of Dermatology: A Practical Manual," the moisturizer will help maintain the skin's health, which is essential to treating skin nodules. Additionally, it is best to use oil-free moisturizer to avoid causing additional blocked pores.
Things You'll Need
- Cleanser
- Benzoyl peroxide cream
- Cotton swabs
- Moisturizer
References
- "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice"; Leslie Baumann; 2009
- "Braun-Falco's Dermatology"; Walter H.C. Burgdorf, Gerd Plewig, Helmut Heinrich Wolff, and Michael Landthaler; 2008
- "Handbook of Dermatology: A Practical Manual"; Margaret W. Mann, David R. Berk, Daniel L. Popkin, and Susan J. Bayliss; 2009
