Nodules and Cysts

Nodular acne appears in large areas of your skin and is usually very painful (but you know that already). What’s the root of all this? Nodules are severely inflamed, hard lesions lodged deep within the skin. Cysts, while similar, are softer, pus-filled lesions, also deep under the skin. They develop when the contents of your comedones (a medical term for whiteheads or blackheads) have spilled into the surrounding areas. Your body’s local immune system responds to this ‘attack’ by producing pus.

Unlike other forms of acne, nodules may persist for weeks or even months, the result of their contents hardening into deep (and stubborn) cysts. Cystic acne is the most serious type of skin acne, although nodules do not always develop into cysts.  Both cysts and nodules, although similar, can exist independently as either nodular or cystic acne. They occur together, too, as nodularcystic (or nodulocystic) acne. Left untreated, they are likely to cause scarring, so if you think you have this condition, you should see a dermatologist for treatment.

Like most acne, nodular and cystic outbreaks can affect anyone but are more common in teenage boys and young men. Unfortunately, these types of acne often have genetic causes-if one or both of your parents had such outbreaks there is a good chance you’ll have them, too.

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