What Is Severe Acne? How can it be treated? | Clear Skin | Pune

People who have severe acne tend to have many breakouts, which can cover their face, chest, and back. Severe acne can also appear along the jawline and neck. Sometimes, it develops on the buttocks.Severe acne causes breakouts that often extend deep into the skin. Called cysts and nodules, these breakouts tend to be painful. When severe acne clears, acne scars often appear.You want full treatment on acne and other skin infections.

Our skin has pores that have oil-secreting glands called sebaceous glands that secrete sebum. The sebum normally protects hair follicles and keeps the skin hydrated. But overproduction of this sebum and overgrowth of skin cells can cause plugging of these pores, leading to whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. These clogged pores serve as fertile ground for the growth of commensal bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes, which gets trapped within them. This leads to infection and inflammation. In the absence of excessive production of sebum, the bacteria gets shed off with the outermost layer of skin Cysts are the most inflamed and ruptured type of acne, a flare-up of which causes a severe cystic acne.

The most common cause for increased secretion of sebum is hormonal changes, as seen in adolescence, during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, hormone therapy, and stress. Other factors influencing the sebum secretion are genetics, high levels of humidity and sweating, greasy cosmetics, consumption of oily, spicy foods and drugs like corticosteroids, lithium, etc.

Considering those, the main factor behind cystic acne still remains fluctuations in hormone levels. It is relatively uncommon, and more frequently seen in men than women. Though it can occur at any age, it is more likely to present during puberty. Subsequent life events causing hormonal fluctuations can increase the severity and prevalence of cystic acne breakouts, extending deep into the skin. The breakouts can present not only on the face, but also on other areas of the body like the neck, shoulders, chest, back, and buttocks.

Although cystic acne affects far fewer people, it can be painful, emotionally distressing, and can greatly affect a person’s self-image and self-esteem. Also, it requires extensive treatment and the struggle against it can be exhausting.