How To Treat It
Does nodular acne go away? It likely wont clear up on its own unless you address the underlying causes, and unfortunately over-the-counter products alone dont always resolve this tissue.
However, in some cases, someone may outgrow the problem if its related to something like puberty, a temporary hormonal imbalance or stress.
According to experts, heres how to get rid of nodular acne:
1. Clean Your Skin Gently
First and foremost, focus on taking steps to get rid of pimples in general. That means practicing good hygiene and cleaning your skin regularly.
This helps keep oil levels on your skin in balance, which can reduce clogged pores and buildup of bacteria.
Be careful not to overly apply acne products to your skin , which can irritating and drying when used too frequently, particularly if you spend time in the sun after. Rubbing alcohol can also have this effect.
These are unlikely to resolve nodular acne since they only work to clean the skins surface.
Here are some tips for keeping your skin clean:
- Wash with a gentle cleanser, such as one with probiotics, twice daily.
- Apply a lightweight moisturizer to your skin thats free of fragrances and chemicals.
- Get some sunlight exposure, but avoid getting burned.
- Remove all makeup before going to sleep.
- Consider using toners and clay masks weekly, such as witch hazel or bentonite clay.
- Wash your pillowcases often.
- Make sure you wear clean makeup, and keep it minimal to avoid clogging pores.
2. Work on Balancing Your Homes
Nodular Acne Home Remedies That Work
Regular detoxification is the key to removing toxic elements from the colon and from the entire body. Detoxification has several steps in it: juicing, fasting, and sweating through saunas, steam or exercise can all help detox.Juicing mainly consists of drinking green juices and smoothies made of vegetables and fruits like spinach, cucumber and green apples. Fasting once every few weeks also removes toxic overload that we subject our bodies through bad food, sugary beverages, and other pollutants in our environment. When detoxifying, you must drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Apple cider vinegar is a highly effective and all natural acne remedy. It regulates the pH of the body and helps heal the skin, hair and many other physical issues. Drink organic apple cider vinegar first thing every morning on an empty stomach. You can dilute it with some warm water or add a few teaspoons of orange juice if you do not like the raw taste of ACV. Make sure to choose organic ACV with mother. You can also apply diluted apple cider vinegar to the cysts directly to reduce pain and inflammation.
Many homemade facemasks can help heal nodular acne and also reduce scarring.
4. Meditation
These are some of the most important and effective nodular acne home treatment remedies that really work.
Got acne?
How Can I Get Rid Of Acne
Finding a cure for your acne may require some trial and error to identify the correct treatments. In part, thats because the reason for your acne may be an excess of oil, bacterial infections, clogged pores, among other reasons.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to acne as everyones type and severity are different. Some people get clear skin from just topical treatments while others require oral treatments in addition to topical treatments, Wu explains.
Most types of acne can worsen as a result of hormonal changes like excessive androgen production for women, that means acne flare-ups could be caused by menstruation or pregnancy. Other factors include stress, poor diet or even medication. That being said, getting rid of acne may require different treatments for different acne and skin types.
Wu says, Whiteheads and blackheads are considered non-inflammatory acne and typically respond to retinoid and benzoyl peroxide topical creams. Papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules are considered inflammatory acne and typically respond to topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide and often may need oral or injection treatment. Cysts and nodules can be more difficult to get rid of than other types.
Ingredients like Vitamin A, aloe vera, tea tree oil and witch hazel are popular for home remedies.However, these remedies have limited testing standards, so we usually recommend other forms of treatment.
You May Like: What Is Forehead Acne From
Does Nodular Acne Cause Scarring
Acne nodules can lead to the formation of scars if they do not receive the correct treatment. The following types of scars occur when wounds that result from acne heal in the deeper layers of skin.
- Atrophic scars are dents in the skin that develop when not enough connective tissue is made after a wound fails to heal
- Hypertrophic scars are formed in the same way as atrophic scars but they are less common and consist of raised skin on your chest, shoulders or back
- Keloid scars are rare and develop in the surrounding area where the blemish once was when too much connective tissue is made
There are some effective treatments available for nodular acne scars:
Surgery can sometimes be used to remove nodule acne scars that are deeply indented in the skin.
How To Treat Nodular Acne
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 86,552 times.
Having nodular acne can be physically painful and cause you emotional distress.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source Because nodular acne is so deep in the skin, it may require treatment by a dermatologist for 15-20 weeks. Using at home and over the counter treatments together with medication may help soothe your pimples and prevent further breakouts. You can treat nodular acne by getting a medical diagnosis and treatment, and boosting prescribed medications with over-the-counter remedies.
Also Check: How Do I Get Rid Of Cystic Acne Fast
Talk To A Dermatologist About How To Treat Cystic Acne
Cysts struggle to heal themselves over time. A dermatologist is also essential for limiting potential scarring, which is a common result of cystic acne. Our Chesterfield dermatologists can work with you to find a treatment that works, then recommend additional options to limit scarring. This may include chemical peels, laser therapy, and blue light therapy.
Dont hesitate to schedule a visit. This skin condition can be both socially and physically painful, and getting proper treatment can significantly expedite healing.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to get the best acne treatment plan for you.
How Do You Figure Out If You Have Nodular Acne
Well, you should be able to tell if you have nodular acne based on its appearance and texture. Nodular acne feels like a small, hard bump deep under the skin, and it usually hurts when you touch it. In terms of color, acne nodules may match the tone of your skin, but they might also become red and inflamed as they grow more severe.
Notably, unlike regular acne or pimples, nodular acne usually takes weeks or even months to clear up completely. Its not likely to disappear on its ownit does require treatment, often from a doctor or dermatologist. If you ignore it for too long, nodular acne may lead to scarring.
As you can see, nodular acne is relatively severe. If youre suffering from this problem, you may be stressing out right nowwe totally get it. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to treat nodular acne effectively.
Now, lets delve into some of the best treatments for this unfortunate issue.
Also Check: How To Make Acne Scars Disappear
Isotretinoin For Nodular Acne
Severe forms of acne like nodular acne can be treated with isotretinoin. Those with widespread nodular acne are often recommended this line of treatment by their dermatologist. It is a vitamin A derivative that helps reduce inflammation and effectively treats nodular acne. Do not self-medicate, because isotretinoin when used in the wrong proportion can have side effects including dryness of the skin, eyes, throat and lips, headache and hair loss too. Sometimes you may not even need isotretinoin for the treatment of nodular acne. Therefore, always visit a skin expert to get the right treatment method.
How Acne Is Diagnosed
A dermatologist will require information pertaining to how long the breakout has been present, the level of sensitivity of the acne , and what methods have been attempted, if any, to treat the same. Questions pertaining to change in medications and family history may also be asked to help isolate the cause.
Read Also: Why Do Newborns Get Acne
What Causes Cystic Acne
Pores in the skin can clog with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing pimples. Bacteria can enter the skin pores and get trapped along with the oil and skin cells. The skin reaction causes swelling deep in the skins middle layer . This infected, red, swollen lump is an acne cyst.
Cystic acne causes include:
- Age .
- Family history of cystic acne.
- Hormone changes during the teenage years and sometimes during menopause, and stress.
Nodular Acne And Cystic Acne: The Bottom Line
Nodular acne and cystic acne are the two most severe forms of acne. Breakouts often cover large areas of the face, back, shoulders and arms. The acne nodules and cysts can be very painful and can leave significant scarring. Because the nodules and cysts are below the skinâs surface, topical nodular acne and cystic acne treatments are often ineffective and a doctor or dermatologist should be consulted.
You May Like: What Helps Get Rid Of Acne Scars
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- What causes cystic acne?
- What is the best cystic acne treatment?
- What are the treatment side effects?
- How can I lower my chances of getting acne cysts?
- How can I prevent scarring or other complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Its tempting to want to touch or pick at painful, swollen acne cysts. But cystic acne is more likely than other zits to scar or develop infections. A dermatologist can offer suggestions to prevent cystic acne. This doctor can also treat painful acne cysts, lowering the chances of scarring. Antibiotics and topical creams are effective cystic acne treatments.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/25/2021.
References
Different Kinds Of Acne And How Can You Prevent Them
Acne leaves blemishes on our faces, blots our self-confidence and ruins a good photo opportunity. Everyone hates those stubborn pimples which are often annoying, painful and can leave physical and emotional scars. In the United States alone, eight out of ten people will experience some form of acne between the ages of eleven to thirty.
In the summertime, especially, our skin becomes more exposed to dirt, free radicals and humidity from spending more time outdoors which increases our chances of buildup, and thus, acne on our skin.
We sat down with Ashley Wu, a board-certified Nurse Practitioner at The Dermatology Specialists, to get the inside scoop on the different kinds of acne, how you can help prevent it from happening in the first place, and how to heal frustrating acne scars.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Black Acne Scars
How Is Nodular Acne Formed
Like in any other acne type, nodular acne is formed in a skin pore that has overly active sebaceous glands. The sebum produced in excessive levels fills in the hair follicle and traps the dead skin cells and other debris, which forms a solid plug that is deep under the skin and clogs your skin pore. When acne-causing bacteria, Cutibacterium acnes , colonizes in such a deeply clogged skin pore, your body triggers an immune response that results in pain and inflammation. Thus, nodular acne is formed.
Nodular Acne And Cystic Acne
Most people who suffer from inflammatory acne have what are called papules, inflamed red bumps that are turned into pustules when they become filled with pus. Papules and pustules are the two most common forms of inflammatory acne, typically referred to as “pimples”.
Two more serious types of inflammatory acne are nodules and cysts and the conditions they create are known as nodular acne and cystic acne. Both nodular acne and cystic acne are severe forms of acne and can lead to permanent scarring and even disfigurement.
You May Like: Is My Pillowcase Giving Me Acne
Apply A Clay Mask Once Or Twice A Week
Whether youre aiming to prevent a nodular acne breakout or soothe one that has already appeared, putting on a calming face mask is the right move.
As we said before, excess oil clogging the pores is one of the reasons that acne develops in the first place. The right clay mask will absorb that excess oil and reduce inflammation, infection, and further spread of the acne.
For the best results, choose a mask with all-natural, healing ingredients like our Vitamin C Clay Mask.
How To Take Care Of Your Skin & Prevent Acne
Acne prevention mainly involves regulating sebum production, keeping dirt away, cleansing of pores and controlling skin inflammation. Here is how you can take care of your skin to reduce the number of breakouts with specialized facial treatments.
Especially for acne-prone skin,acne facials are specially designed to cleanse your skin of all impurities and help to manage acne breakouts. Mild-grade acne restricted to blackheads and whiteheads with almost no inflammatory blemishes are recommended to be treated with a monthly acne facial treatment.
How do acne facials help?
Each step in an acne facial treatment is directed towards acne management, keeping your skin type and condition in mind. Some general techniques used in acne facials can include steaming, exfoliation, extraction and masking.
If needed, your therapist or aesthetic doctor may also recommend a complementary treatment to aid in your skins healing process. Light or laser therapy may be included to help treat your acne, whilst reducing acne scars and pigmentation at the same time.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Redness On Face From Acne
Oral Contraceptive For Nodular Acne
Hormonal disruption in the body can cause the skin to produce excess sebum, which leads to breakouts and acne. Apart from using skincare products that will remove excess oil from the face, your dermatologist may also prescribe oral contraceptive pills to control sebum production. An increase in androgen levels are linked to nodular acne. However, do not self-medicate and pick just about any contraceptive pill because theyre not all formulated the same. Visit a gynaecologist and dermatologist who will prescribe the right one to balance the hormonal disruption in your body. Once it regulates hormonal production, your acne should subside.
How To Prevent Nodular Acne
The best chance you have of preventing further nodule acne breakouts is to keep your skin as clean as possible. Devise a skincare routine that works for your lifestyle and try to stick to it. Keep in mind the following tips:
- Wash your face twice a day with soap-free cleansing products
- Use a lightweight cream or gel as your daily moisturizer
- Wash your face after exercise or excessive perspiration
- Apply sunscreen before sun exposure
- Keep severely affected areas out of direct sunlight as this can aggravate them further
- Choose oil-free makeup, sunscreen and hair products to avoid excess grease on the skin
- Wash your hands before you apply makeup
- Remove makeup before you go to bed
- Do not over-wash your face as this can only irritate your skin further
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Inflamed Acne Fast
What Is The Prognosis For People Who Have Cystic Acne
Most people with cystic acne can prevent severe breakouts or quickly treat acne cysts to prevent scarring. Often, but not always, cystic acne clears up or diminishes with age, as hormones settle down.
Severe or untreated cystic acne can affect how you feel about your appearance, making you anxious or depressed. If cystic acne bothers you, talk with your healthcare provider about getting help with fostering a positive self-image.
Treat Your Acne Fast Get A Prescription Retinoid Today
We understand how annoying and bothersome acne breakouts can be. Whether it’s picture day at school, or you’ve got a job interview, acne is not a welcome friend. Fortunately, it’s a treatable condition. Our licensed physicians make it easy and more comfortable to have a discussion about your skin and the best treatment options available for you.
Talk to one of our reputable online physicians to get your prescription Retinoid, today!
Also Check: How Can You Get Rid Of Acne
How To Deal With Nodular Acne Mentally
I truly believe that nodular cystic acne is one part physical and two parts mental. If you think about it, having a pimple is not always very painful. Sure, there are pimples that are extremely painful, but I truly believe that nodular cystic acne is far more of a mental game than anything else. Why is it that if the pimples or scars on our face are not causing immediate pain they still seem to do a great amount of damage. When you look in the mirror and you see a spot or mark it definitely hurts but inside more than out.
In order to lessen the emotional toll and stress that having acne can put on an individual, one has to learn to truly love the person they are on the inside and bring that mindset to what you see on the outside.
Self-love is so easy to talk about and read inspiring articles on, but it is much harder to carry out in your everyday life. You can read an article on how to love yourself with guaranteed tips and tricks to help you get there but how often to those actually impact how one feels about themselves.
The answer is not often. Self-love does not just magically happen overnight, no matter how many spa nights you have. It also doesnt just come from treating yourself from time to time. Self-love is rooted first in acceptance. Once you accept the way you have been perfectly created self-love falls easily into place. Once again, easy to talk about, hard to practice.
