This question comes up so frequently.

Here’s what to do when you’ve messed with a pimple and it looks horribly swollen, red and painful now.
Keep in mind that the treatment may also prevent an incipient cyst from getting worse.
The treatment may also help prevent Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) or ‘red marks’.

Basic recommendations:
Apply ice.
Take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.
Do not mess with the lesion anymore AT all.
Antibiotic cream/ointment and a band aid/plaster for night.

You can repeat these techniques for as many days as you like. Do not give up too early, try the icing and bandaid/ointment for at least a week before assuming it won't work.
Detailed explanation and rationale:
Ice how-to:
Wrap an ice cube in a thin cloth towel or paper towel so the ice doesn't directly touch your skin or just stick it in a plastic baggie. Some recommend freezing a bunch of water-filled little paper Dixie cups in the freezer. The thin paper cups make it convenient to hold and apply ice to the lesions. That’s a great idea from Laura, the esthetician that Willow569 goes to.

Hold the ice to the lesion for one minute or so on, five minutes or so off. Repeat as often as necessary throughout the first 24 hours, but not to the point that your skin turns pale or feels uncomfortable. The ice will reduce the swelling and the pain and the redness. The ice may also limit the development of post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, PIH, or ‘red marks’.

You could also just glide an ice cube gently over your whole face, not holding it in one spot for too long. This technique will help decrease inflammation over the entire surface of your face. This is also a good technique for use after cleansing and prior to applying your active, medicated topical.

Anti-Inflammatory how-to:
Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are anti-inflammatories. Inflammation is redness, swelling, pain. One or the other medication will help reduce the inflammation of any type of infection and may also help with pain. Use only as directed on the package, pick one or the other, and don’t use for longer than directed. Of course, don’t use one if you’re allergic to it! Depending on where you live there may be other anti-inflammatories available as well; ask your pharmacist or chemist what you can take as an anti-inflammatory. Over the counter medications for arthritis are generally effective.

If your doctor has ordered an antibiotic due to the inflamed lesion(s), continue to take the antibiotic as ordered. You may still take an anti-inflammatory for pain and swelling. The antibiotic is for the infection (bacteria) and the anti-inflammatory is for the pain, redness, and swelling.

Topical antibiotic cream/ointment and band aid/plaster how-to:
(Neosporin, Polysporin, Bacitracin, etc. I use Polysporin more often.)
Apply a dab of antibiotic cream/ointment to a small band aid (this prevents contamination of the tube provided the bandaid is sterile and you’ve not touched the pad part with your fingers or anything else).

Put the band aid/plaster on the lesion. Leave on overnight. This is the part of the step that helps prevent PIH; the petrolatum jelly in most antibiotic ointments/creams is what provides the soothing relief that irritated, inflamed skin needs. You CAN use plain petrolatum jelly. It is not comedogenic. The bandaid also helps keep you from picking so you can use it during the day if you're going to be at home or not much in public, unless of course your self-esteem is high enough so that you can go in public with bandaids/plasters all over your face.

The antibiotic cream/ointment may help prevent indented scarring.

There you go. Good luck!

Hi all,
I'm new to the boards, but not new to acne, especially cystic acne unfortunately. I've been suffering from it for years since my late teens. I'm now 36 and continue to suffer from it, mostly on my back. Through the years, some of the cysts have left behind slightly raised reddish scars, mostly on my upper back and shoulders. I also have several small, white slighty-raised scars that are roundish in shape on my back. I'm currently on Tetracycline which has been helping since I noticed that I'm not breaking out anymore on the sides of my legs, butt, and lovehandle area, which I used to alot. It seems to be working on my back, but I still get one about once a week. I tried Accutane a few times early on up until about 4 years ago, but when I start a regimen, I have to have bloodwork done to check on my liver. This usually ends the treatment because the dermatologist will urge me to stop since the Accutane appears to affect my liver. Anyway, I hope the Tetracycline will continue to work.

My questions are, anyone here have the same type of scarring on their backs as I have described, and have you sought treatment for it? I have gone to some cosmetic skin doctors back in the 90's when I was looking to have my scars treated, but at that time, I was still breaking out on my back, so I was told that no treatments can be done until my acne clears up completely. I'm hoping that day will come soon, so I really want to have the scars treated. They are truly a source of embarrassment and discouragement for me. I'm wondering what treatments will work to diminish the redness and possibly reduce their thickness.

If in my case, water is the culprit for my breakouts. What do I do about it?

I live in the country. And our water is pretty clean and I hardly ever get breakouts when I am there. The second I leave to go travel and get in the shower, I get bad breakouts.

When I get back home. They go away after a few days after using the water at home.

o.o This is really bad for me. I am going to Austin for college soon and I've been there before and their water kills my skin. Any suggestions for what I can do?

No acne medication has been able to help my skin after bad water has gotten to it.

I've been on the regimen for 14 days now and all of my acne except the cysts have disappeared. What else can I do to make them go away?

I started to use Clindoxyl about a week ago and my skin became very dry so today I started to use some moisturizer. However, yesterday I noticed that somekind of blain was coming to my chin and I was right. Now it's a bit reddish and its diameter is about 1 cm (0,4 inch) but my skin is still undamaged in that area.

I iced it three times today and put clindoxyl on it and took some ibuprofen tablets. I don't know if it's right procedure but what I could do that it wouldn't cause any damage to my skin? Moreover, Is it ok to use clindoxyl which contains benzoyl peroxide instead of antibiotic cream?

EDIT: Now its head is starting to look a bit white and its diameter isn't so big anymore. What to do?

I have been taking spironolactone for my cycstic acne, which has worked a miracle on my face, but I was wondering if anyone here has given blood while taking it? i know i can just ask the people at carter blood care, but it's late and i was just curious if they let you?

I hope it is okay to post this here, but like the topic title says, I've been having this sensation on my forehead like someone is lightly touching it all the time. Then, after a week or two these large soft cysts appear in the places on my forehead where I feel this weird touching feeling. I also have folliculitis, well, lots of tiny bumps on my face that are difficult to remove. Is this the second phase of folliculitis? Has anyone else ever experienced this?

I had a small cyst injented with cortisone three weeks ago. It was the second time the dr. had injected the area (he had injected a cyst in the same spot 3-4 weeks prior). Because it was in the same spot, he said he was going to put more medicine in. He didn't even mention there could be any side effects.

One week after the injection, a large swelling appeared and I went in to see him, but he dismissed it. Several days later, a dent appeared at the site of the injection.

Now, 3 weeks since the injection, and the indentation has gotten worse (it is now a depression that runs up and down my forehead). I've read the previous posts about it, and most people say it should go away in 6 months. But, it's quite upsetting. Anyone who is self-conscious enough to get a cyst injected is obviously self-conscious, so Im not dealing with this well. Plus...6 months is a long time! And some people said it could take a year or be permanent.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone decided to seek treatment for these dents/depressions caused from cortisone i.e. seeing a plastic surgeon?

Thanks for your input.

I have pretty much clear skin in fact I'm about 99% acne free but a few months ago I got this huge pimple on my nose Its the only pimple I have and its been here since about February. Its in the center of my face on my nose and it seems to go down and then flare back up again. I popped it once and it did the normal pimple thing...(gross details left out). Then It just comes back I went to the dermatologist and she just prescribed me doxycycline and I've been using that for about 2 weeks and it doesn't seem to be doing anything

I've been using benza-clin very heavily on this one spot, cleaning it, using hot rags, and alcohol twice daily ever since I got the thing but it just seems to keep going down and coming back help!!!

PS. It's not really hard doesn't hurt but it is a bump, theres a small (very small, smaller than a pin head) white head on it but I really don't want to touch it. So I think Its probably bad stuff still in there...

When I first began having serious breakouts, I tried to treat my acne by very routine face washing, but it was hopeless. I went to see a dermatologist and he prescribed Minocycline, an oral antibiotic, as well as duac and tazorac: topical creams. For the past year and a half I have been on this antibiotic, and it's worked quite well. I now only have a mild case of acne.
Recently, the same dermatologist has been encouraging me to switch from Minocycline to Acutain. Because I still have a mild and sometimes moderate case of acne while taking antibiotics, he said I have chronic acne. Clearly, as well as they have worked for me, antibiotics aren't a long term solution, and the prospect of taking acutain and being cured forever sounds amazing.

I was wondering if anyone else has made this switch, and how bad and for how long I could expect my acne to get while initially on acutain. My dermatologist wants me to switch from minocycline to acutain directly, without a period of nothing in between. If it is worth taking into account, I am a teen. I don't know if this will figure into things. Has anyone else had this experience? Is it true that my face could be at its worsts even after two months on the drug?

I would appreciate it so much if you could respond. Thanks.

-Will

I've a huge red bump on the right side of my face on the front of my cheek! I am just curious whether cystic acne always do leave a scar? I've not been picking on it, only sometimes when the outer layer skin peels of, some or maybe little pus came out and I did the ice method to freeze it. The question here is......Does cystic acne surely leaves a scar, cause it really does seem like when the pus is gone, my skin will sink under of the surface a bit........ HELP!

So in the past months, I've gotten mostly (miraculously) acne free using the regimen. Unfortunately, I've recently been breaking out just on the left side of my face. It's always the cheek area next to my nose.

About four weeks ago I got one really big cyst and a few smaller whiteheads in the area. I thought it was just stress from finals combined with the monthly hormonal fluctuation, plus maybe a pillowcase that needed to be changed. Then about two weeks ago I got really, really sick and couldn't see my boyfriend for almost a week. My skin looked fantastic by the end of that week! Glowy, acne-free - I thought it was all the rest I was getting and all the sweat I was making (you know, breaking a fever), something to do with the humidity (the way people steam their faces, you know?).

But I've broken out again, same spot. Two cysts. Today I kissed my boyfriend and realized that his nose is pressing exactly where one of the pimples is!! And his nose could easily reach the other. We also favor one side, so his nose rarely makes it over to the right side of my face - explaining why I don't get pimples on my right cheek!

Could this be the culprit? He doesn't use stuff on his face as far as I know, but he does have a big nose and it presses into my face quite a lot when we make out. He has the clearest skin (that I'm jealous of). He usually shaves right before I come over, though he does sometimes let it grow for a few days because I like how it looks. I don't think the stubble quite reaches that area, though. He's also very clean and is often just getting out of the shower when I come over. Sorry this is all a bit explicit, and I realize this is pretty funny. But help! I need help!

I hate experiencing totally clear, beautiful skin and feeling really fantastic one week - and then feeling terribly self-conscious about the inflamed cysts on my face the next.

Tried icing it, and I think it's made it worse. Usually my cysts calm down by day two (though they're still there), but this time they remain swollen. UGH I am so close to trying to pop them!

I developed a new cyst last week on my forehead and 1 or 2 days ago it formed a white head. I havent popped it yet. Should I pop it? I feel as if it will eventually pop on its own in the shower or something.

Forgive the lengthiness!!!


First, I'd like to say that for anyone with cystic acne, I understand how HORRIBLE it really is. I have suffered through years of HUGE cyst that seemed to connect and form one massive area of swollen, inflammed skin. I used to get such bad cyst on my chin area that it hurt to smile, talk, chew..and god forbid my son or someone accidentally hit my chin, excruciating pain was sure to follow.
I will tell you what has HELPED me recently. When I was 18 I started getting cysts and now that I think back I believe it was due to stopping my BC that I had been on since I was 16. I tried every product imaginable. I went to the doctor and she gave me some topical antibiotic and rentin a cream + antibiotic orally. It never worked.
After I got pregnant the cyst got better.(4 years of having cyst) My hormones evened out. After my son I got the Mirena(a birth control device implanted into cervix) and I never saw a cyst again for 2 years. I had no idea that the Mirena was probably the best thing to happen to me as far as evenly my hormones and preventing my acne. I still had oily skin/ dry skin and breakouts, but atleast it wasn't these horrible cyst. I was content for the most part.
I had rections to the Mirena to say the least, although i have tons of friends who love it. When it got removed I immediately got cyst. They got worse and worse and worse until I was just crying everynight, ashamed of my skin, didn't want to go anywhere or see anyone. God forbid my fiancee ever see my smile. It really takes an emotional toll on you. Again I was in pain and disgusted at how bad the cyst were.
I went to see a Skin doctor in Philadelphia, who apparently was the first one to use the Isolez machine and also the first to discover it cured acne. In short, I got 4 Isolez treatments. I probably would have gotten more but I ran out of funds. These DO make you break out at first because they pull from under the surface. But i think in the long run they help. My skin was significantly less oily and my pores smaller. I was pleased atleast with that, but I still had cyst, and couldnt afford anymore treatments.
I started using DDF with a high glycolic acid content. They have one with SA as well. I am convinced that the DDF glycolic acid wash plus the use of SA and occasionally use of tea tree oil (if the cyst is out of control--bc its harsh) has maintained my skin.
I now use either DDF glycolic acid wash or DermaDoctor's face wash for oily/acne prone skin. It also has glycolic acid and SA in it. The glycoloic acid reallllly helps shed the skins surface which is a major contributor to acne and esp. cystic acne. I also rec. something for oil control. I liked Kerenase's moisturizer, it was very matte and sucked up the oil. Like I said, the Isolez treatment really decreased the oil production in my face so I think that also has helped the acne.
After a few months I started seeing slightly clearer skin, but most of all it looked healthy and glowy, regarless that I had breakouts. It wasn't as oily and blotchy.
I use Dan's glycolic acid/licorice at night now and it helps to maintain that glow.
I probably have about 3 cyst right now (opposed to my 8 or 9) and they are decreased in size, not as painful or ugly and they are not new. Everyone knows how long it takes to get rid of them.

I also used Aleve and ice. Which I am convinced helped. Aleve controls the inflammation in the body which can lead to breakouts. Be careful with it though you cant take it too often, but if you feel a cyst coming, take 2 and lightly ice the spot.

My diet changed too. Bad food = acne because it triggers hormones. I cut out soda and switched to green tea. I cut back my coffee and other caffeine intake. I try to drink more water. I stopped eating all fast food unless i'm horribly desperate. I try and eat all whole grains, lots of protein and antinflammatory foods (you can find a list anywhere online). I think this is an important factor in controlling acne. I also try and withhold from cravings, bc as my skin doctor told me, its not the sweets or salty foods, but its giving into the hormone that produces those cravings, thus making the hormone issues worse.
And I try to never ever pick/touch my face. and always use clean towels, and gently wash my face (opposed to rough sponges etc)

I hope this helps someone. God knows I understand the torment of this condition. I hope my skin keeps getting better...I PRAY it does rather=]

Good luck

Beth

Hi all. I'm new to this site but i'm glad I found it. Maybe I can get some insight about Cystic Acne as my dermatologist diagnosed it. I say it's a curse and disgusting and embarrassing. I am 22 years old and all throughout my teens and even up until last year I had never had trouble with my skin. The past 5 months I have had several breakouts, mostly on the cheek and chin area. I noticed that pimples were under the surface and hurt badly. And when the pimple finally decided to go away it left a ugly spot or scar on my face. I am african american and the spots look like I took a black eyliner pencil and drew dots on my face. It makes me sad because I always used to get commented on how flawless and pretty my skin was just a year ago and when I was younger.

So my question to anyone in my same predicament is what works? I've tried Proactiv, Murad, Clean and Clear, Nuetrogena...Expensive meds from the doctor that I can't even pronounce at times. Please help any suggestion is greatly appreciated!!

P.S. Does "The Regimen" really work? If so I think that will be my next course of action.

So I've been reading about everything desperately to try and find a cure for my acne that is quite literally killing me emotionally it kills a piece of me everyday. I fear it will get to the point where I will just end my life because I can't deal with it anymore. I have severe acne/cysts massive under the skin deep cysts on my chin/jaw bone.

To start with I have tried every over counter the skin lotion, diet, product and even doctor/derm prescribed creams and anti-biotics. My diet is impeccable I eat perfectly I drink heaps of water I do intense cardio vascular training every day and I'm absolutely sick of the helplessness with acne It seems the only thing left is accutane, but from reading the posts on this forum at first I got hope from all the peoples testimonies and then I just got depressed reading the equal amount of people complaining with life long impending side effects that are debilitating and the worst thing is even knowing this I'm considering accutane because I honestly would probably rather not have the absolutely emotionally/mentally debilitating acne then the physical pain.

Basically at the end of the road here I've put up with acne all during high school and now in the years of my life that are meant to be the best but its holding me back from everything I want to do.Ive put a photo up just to show how bad it is I know some people have worst but mines still at a level that keeps me from having any self-esteem at all.

Thanks in advance and sorry for seeming pessimistic but I've gotten my hopes up so many times before I've become increasingly skeptical of everything related to acne and started to think its just an incurable POS.

[attachment=20200:51254.jpg]

Thanks in advance.

I was wondering if anyone is able to receommend where I can find Pantothenic Acid 20% cream as I would like to try the Pantothenic Acid deficiency and acne theory. I was able to find the supplements 500mg at my local vitamin world (GNC did not carry it in the store), but I am unable to find the cream. Any suggestions? Also, has anyone has any sucess with this?

Thanks!

has anyone had a cyst like the size of a pea or bigger that hasn't gone away for more than three months, doesn't hurt, doesn't do anything but just sit there? if so, what the hell became of these things? i'm getting wicked impatient and pissed off.

----

April 14, 2008
I stumbled upon this website somehow recently i forgot.
I have bad acne pics are included in the post
I live in the US and i currently don't have insurance
I'm trying to get insurance through TriCare.
Until then I'm looking for products I can get over the counter
Or buy online to help reduce/clear my acne/scars/redmarks?
Whatever they are

Any Tips/Advice/Suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks
-Tony

(I've already tried proactiv it doesn't seem to work for me)

----

October 22, 2008
Well its been 6 months, I currently have TriCare.
I'm getting there :]!

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Hello I'm new to acne.org forums

I have had cysts for several years. They started in my ear lobs and gradually have spread pretty much all over my face (mostly near my temples and around my hair line)

Naturally I researched sebaceous cyst's online when I was told by my doctor that I had them.

I found this: http:// www.mitamins.com/disease/Sebaceous-Cyst.html

Has anyone ever heard of it?

I live in Bend, Oregon, and whenever I take trips to Portland, (about a four hour drive away) my acne gets much better. It has happened every time and I don't know why. I stay the night for a few days, and by the time I am back in Bend my acne is much better, but then while I am in Bend it gets worse again. I know in Portland it is more humid, but other than that I have no idea why this might be happening. Does anyone else know why this might happen? Have you ever experienced this yourself?

I got a red bump on my nose for 10 days now...usually my biggest pimples dont last this long. Its dull red, not bright red like a fresh pimple, and it never was painful. Its pretty big, ive been icing and applying honey on it over night. Any thoughts?

Hi, I'm suffering from severe hormonal acne. It hit me over the course of about 2 weeks. My skin went from a few minor pimples here and there too a full blown disaster. I think it's hormonal because i've been very stressed out lately. Large red nodules and cysts all over my face, mainly on my chin and around my mouth and nose, but some on my forehead also. Right now i'm treating it with orthotricyclen (just started) and Dan's cleanser and moisturizer. I'm thinking about using AHA to spot treat. I'm terrified to use BP because in the past BP, however little i use -- even if it's only once a day -- has been like acid on my face. My entire face, even wehre i haven't used it, peels and flakes and stings BIG TIME and it seems like maybe my face would get used to the BP in time but i just can't stand the effects enough to keep using it. it's AS BAD as the acne in terms of how it looks and feels. I'm also going to start taking sprionolactone.

Has anyone cleared up their very severe adult acne without benzoyl peroxide???

Thanks very much!!

hey there,

you know the feeling when a cyst is forming? first the pain and then the bump gradually appears?

just wondering if anyone has tips they use to prevent the cyst from getting huge?

i felt one coming on this morning, so i've iced it...hoping it would decrease the inflammation...who knows if it'll work...

g

I haven't been on in a while... since i've beeen actually o.k with my skin since I've been on Batrim. But that's only a temporary fix i know. Anyways i was wondering if anyone had experienced at dent from a cortisone shot. I've posted before...but I rec'd a cortisone injection on March 3rd and I never rec'd one before... I just did it this time because my cyst was really big. The derm NEVER told me about the possible side effect of denting... because trust me if I knew this.. I would have never I mean never gotten it. The cyst was going away on its own and prob would have with in a week I was just impacient. But to this day i regret getting that cortisone so so much. Anyways in the begginning of April I started to notice some discoloration and slowly a dent appeared. A biiig dent... since the Derm injected the cyst 2 times. soo the dent was pretty big. Anyways... as April and May passed the dent was getting more obvious... and its right in between my eyes. Try to tell me how to hide that. It is absolutely depressing.... exspecially since my skin in finially OK to deal with. It's like I'll never be happy. The derms i've spoke with say to me that they think it will go away with time...and plump back up to normal. But obviously I'm still worried and doubt it sometimes. Anyhow I thought it was starting to look better.. but then in certain lights it doesn't and the discoloration (it's like a dark discoloration) make's it look worse. Yesterday I got restylane injected into it. I was told that restylane does not interrupt any healing that would happen on it's own. And even the lady that injected me didn't think i'd need to come back and get another injection because it should heal on it's own. Yet i'm still worrried. This is very depressing to me

Ok so enough rambling. I just want to hear lots of stories with cortisone injections and atrophy.. I want to hear other peoples stories. The restylane did plump up the dent but the discoloration is still visable soooo is there anything I can do about that. It feels kinda of gross with a filler under my skin as well. It feeels a little better today and you can't really feel it like I could yesterday.... but still weirds me out a lil. i wish i never got a cortisone shot..and was aware of the side effects. I won't be happy until this is 100% healed. So fingers crossed. 2009 has not been a good year.

ok soo any feedback would be great. I messaged Wynne so if you have anything for me as well. Thanks all<3

i start accutane in 2-3 days. i just watched the mtv true life thing on it, im kinda scared, nervous..but really anxious. is it wrong of me to be scared at first or am i thinkin too much?

Has anyone had a cyst excision before? I have three reoccurring cysts, two on one cheek and one on the other. I have tried so much to get rid of them, but I have seriously had them for over four months and they just seem to get worse. The rest of my skin looks decent, but these cysts are big and disgusting.