Acne Cysts and Acne Nodules: What are they?

Acne cysts and nodules are a very complicated type of acne and are not very common as compared to other types if acne like pimples and condones. Acne cysts form when the oil glands in the skin get blocked.

These can be seen and felt by touching and are like small hard balls. While acne nodules are simpler to treat and their treatment is much like the treatment of normal acne, acne cysts require special type of treatment. The first treatment that is administered is oral medication. Your doctor may prescribe you birth control pills, antibiotics and cortisone. If the acne nodules and cysts are too severe that they cannot be removed by medical treatment alone then you might have to undergo surgery to get them removed.

This is done by passing a very dilute amount of cortisone through the blocked nodule or cyst. Topical compresses with warm water are also very useful in the treatment of acne nodules and cysts. If all other treatments fail, then an oral administration of accutane has to be resorted to. Accutane cannot be given to everybody, especially to pregnant women or women who are about to get pregnant or are breast feeding.