Emotional Effects of Adult Cystic Acne

Acne is an annoyance to the teenager, something that is almost looked at as a rite of passage, a necessary growing pain and something temporary. For the adult acne sufferer, however, frustration and angst become a legitimate source of stress, and can lead to poor health, both physically and emotionally. One form of acne that can greatly affect adults is adult cystic acne. While the occasional breakout of a few “zits” or blackheads can be met with a roll of the eyes and an effective spot treatment, adult cystic acne is a problem that is not easily reckoned with.

What is Adult Cystic Acne

While everyone is familiar with pimples/zits that are small, red and form whiteheads, as well as their blackhead counterparts, cystic acne is foreign to many. Instead of a smaller red bump that may form a head, cystic acne often swells to large, red bumps, or cysts that fill with infectious pus due to the skin’s inability to fight the infection.

Cystic acne is by far the most painful, and most unsightly of all the acne types, and thus leads many sufferers to rid the skin of the problem by squeezing. Unfortunately, this only serves to make cystic acne worse, as it will continue to irritate the inflamed sebaceous gland. The most frustrating issue with adult cystic acne is the fact that topical ointments and other medications are often ineffective in treating the inflammations.

Emotional Side Effects

It is not uncommon for sufferers of adult cystic acne to become depressed, and set themselves aside from some of their most enjoyed social activities, based not only on a disdain for what they see in the mirror, but a physical condition that makes it difficult to smile, laugh or even exercise without pain. Many adults become so stressed due to their cystic acne, that the acne breakouts increase and become more severe. In turn, they withdrawal socially, and sometimes professionally.

Such residual stress from acne can lead to other health problems such as anxiety disorders, or when combined with other lifestyle variables, hypertension and a biological being that is susceptible to other illnesses and disease.

Treating Cystic Acne

The best course of treatment for moderate to severe adult cystic acne is to call upon the counsel and treatment of a qualified dermatologist. Or similarly, to try a product developed by a dermatologist like Proactiv Solution. Ultimately, a dermatologist will be able to help identify certain lifestyle habits or stressful scenarios that may lead to the cystic acne problem. If one treatment is found to be ineffective, they will be able to delve deeper into the problem to hopefully treat it at the root.

Most treatments for adult cystic acne consist of more than “spot treating,” or simply taking a prescription to help dry out the sebaceous glands and kill infection. Oftentimes it is necessary to change a diet or lifestyle in order to best combat all the variables that are leading to the development of the cysts. Dermatologists are skilled in offering these services, and the right dermatologist will also provide a wonderful “bedside manner,” to keep spirits high and stress levels lower – an important aspect to fighting adult acne.