What Severe Acne is and how to Treat it


You are considered as having severe acne if you get more than two pimples a month, and severe acne can really affect many different facets of a persons life, resulting in causing a great deal of embarrassment and stress. Severe acne can even significantly limit ones social life and as well interfere with important daily activities, such as job opportunities and personal outings.

The Types of Severe Acne

There are basically four different types of severe acne, which are: acne conglobata, acne fulminans, gram negative folliculitis, and nodulocystic acne. The first, acne conglobata, is a chronic and the most severe type of severe acne, and it is characterized by the following problems: deep abscesses, inflammation, severe damage to the skin, scarring and blackheads.

Acne fulminans is different in that it is a sudden onset highly destructive inflammation, and is characterized by symptoms of severe and often ulcerating acne, fever, and inflammation and aching of joints, especially in and around the hips and knees. Corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are the most common form of treatment for acne fulminans, however the attacks are likely to reoccur and the patient may actually end up developing acne that requires long-term treatment with isotretinoin.

Nodulocystic acne is also one of the most severe types of acne, and it is most commonly characterized by cysts. These cysts may occur singly, or they may be widespread all over the face, neck, scalp, back, chest and shoulders. Treatment for this type of acne usually involves an aggressive form of treatment, which may include isotretinoin and antibiotics. Some of the larger cysts, ones that do not respond to medications, may require drainage and surgical excision.

Gram-negative folliculitis is the form of acne which is caused by a bacterial infection that can result from long-term antibiotic treatment, and in gram-negative folliculitis, the bacteria tend to be resistant to many different types of antibiotics. Anyone with a severe type of acne should make sure that they are under the proper care of a dermatologist as they are the professionals who have the experience that is needed in order to control virtually every case of acne.

It is important to see a doctor as soon as you start experiencing acne, so that they can make a proper diagnosis and get you the proper and most effective treatment possible. Just remember that there is help out there that can be used to treat your acne, so you should never feel overly worried about your acne or as though there is nothing you can do about it.

If you do suffer from acne, remember that you are not alone and that there is help available that you help you get looking and feeling like your old self again. `

Acne Tip

This form of acne is called cystic acne, and its characterized by large pus filled sores on the face or other parts of the body.

Your best bet is to use topical creams and other ointments, while leaving the actual acne sores alone. Some may use collagen injections also for wrinkle treatment and reducing facial lines. If your problems are more severe, however, then it might be time to make an appointment with your dermatologist.