Overview Of Nodular Acne
Out of the four medical classifications of
this skin disease nodular acne falls into the the grade three class, and this
is therefore a severe condition, often
as a result of failing to treat the condition in its less serious stages
therefore leading to its development
Cause And Effect Of Nodular Acne
Nodular acne occurs when then pus contained in
pustules or spots finds its way deep into the lower layers of the skin, this is
usually due to rupturing of the cell
walls of the pustules, and this is one of the reasons acne sufferers are always
told not to pick or squeeze at their spots or pimples.
Once pus has entered the epidermis in this
way, it can begin to solidify forming thick, firm deformities of the skin that
are known as acne nodules.
Because nodular acne is of the inflammatory
variety, as opposed to milder forms, these nodules can can swell and cause much
pain and discomfort to the victim, if
yours has got to this stage it should be clear that you need to seek treatment
advice from your doctor, or a dermatologist, sooner rather than later because it should be apparent by
now that the condition is only going to get even worse, and if it does you
could well develop cystic acne which is
the most serious of all and classed as grade four which is the highest.
Both nodular and cystic acnes will almost
certainly lead to scarring of the skin, which can be quite deep and unsightly,
thus causing a certain amount
despondency for the victim.
Although there are various treatments and
procedures nowadays that can reduce the effects of scar tissue most of these
are prohibitively expensive for many
people, possibly several thousand dollars a time, and more than one treatment
may be required.
How to treat nodular acne
Initially a doctor may prescribe antibiotics
to try and bring things under control, these meds will act to both combat the
infections already present and stop them
getting any worse, they will also help combat inflammation and swelling, if
treated early enough this is likely to prove a successful method, although it may be some time before any
improvement is noticed.
There are quite a few different antibiotics in
this group and several may need to administered to find the right one.
If antibiotics fail to work for whatever
reason there may come a time when you the subject of isotretinoin arises.
Related article: acne solution when antibiotics not working
Isotretinoin And Nodular Acne
Isotretinoin more commonly known as Accutane
is a very successful medication for the treatment of acne, the downside are the
side effects that this compound can give
you, being a systemic drug, it can affect many different parts of the body, in
some cases these side-effects can be very serious, so the sufferer will have to determine whether
or not they wish to take on the associated risks, all of these will be
explained fully by your physician and no
doubt your condition will be closely monitored.
If you are a female you have another option
open to you that can sometimes prove effective and that is birth control
medications, these work on an hormonal
level by altering your body chemistry that may be causing the acne problem.
Related article: severe back acne, is acne accutane right for you?
Surgical Treatments
Other surgical methods that are available as
treatment for nodular acne include, direct injections of a cortisone drug into
the affected areas. and this will
certainly help in reducing swelling and the associated pain.
Another possibility is that of surgical
excision, whereby the offending tissue or solidified sebum is cut from under
the skin, this obviously requires a
surgeon to carry out this procedure for which you may need a referral by
your doctor who will advise you further if it deemed necessary to treat your
condition.