Nodular Acne: Research-backed Solutions for Managing Stubborn Breakouts
By Dr. Ashish Bajaj +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ashish Bajaj
Last updated: Apr 18, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Ashish Bajaj +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ashish Bajaj
Last updated: Apr 18, 2024Table of Contents
Nodular acne is a daunting form of acne that affects deep skin layers. It’s painful and often leaves lasting scars. Are you dealing with nodular acne? Do you feel overwhelmed by continuous hard, irritated lumps appearing on your skin?
In this blog, we’ll delve into the complexities of nodular acne. We’ll talk about causes, risk factors and treatment options. Plus, we’ll share handy home care tips. So, are you ready to learn how to handle this tough skin condition?
Nodular acne, or nodulocystic acne, is a harsh form of acne. It forms hard, painful lumps beneath the skin. These lumps consist of dead skin cells, oil, bacteria and inflammation. They usually appear on the face, back, or chest. These nodules are firm, tender and don’t have a whitehead or blackhead.
Did you know?
Nodular acne goes deeper into the skin compared to mild forms like whiteheads and blackheads. It can cause more pain and lasting damage. While usual acne treatments may work for mild acne, tougher acne types need stronger prescription medicines and professional care. They may also last for weeks and even months.
Anyone can get nodular acne. It can appear at any age and in people of all genders. But it’s more common in young people assigned male at birth.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Around 50 million people in the U.S. have acne. Nodular acne is severe, inflammatory acne. About 20% of people with acne have a severe type.
I have observed that unaided nodular acne may leave behind painful scars. After therapy from a dermatologist, many patients notice improvement in nodular acne. I strongly recommend consulting the dermatologist for complete treatment of nodular acne to keep your skin flawless.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Acne develops when hair follicles get blocked by oil and dead skin cells. Over time, these trapped substances breed bacteria, leading to acne such as whiteheads, blackheads and in some cases, nodular acne.
Nodular acne has several causes. These include:
Some people could be more prone to nodular acne due to genes or hormonal changes. Also, external factors can worsen or trigger nodular acne such as:
Let’s introduce a brief table summary for this section:
| Quick Table Summary | |
| Common Causes of Nodular Acne | Trigger Factors for Nodular Acne |
| Overactive oil glands | Excessive sweating |
| Dead skin cells build-up | Stress and worry |
| P. acnes bacteria overgrowth | Certain skincare products or medications |
| Androgen hormone increase | Hormonal changes (puberty, periods, etc.) |
Your quality of life, sense of self-worth, and psychological health might all be impacted by nodular acne. But therapies are useful. See your dermatologist as soon as possible if you or your child exhibits nodular acne symptoms. Only a doctor may effectively aid this kind of severe acne and avoid scarring. I suggest you should never pinch, pick, or attempt to pop an acne nodule. By doing this, you might run the danger ofsignificant scarring and the nodule becoming more painful.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Nodular acne presents as hard, painful lumps under the skin. They can vary in size and may turn red and inflamed. Most nodules don’t have a visible whitehead or blackhead and can last for weeks or even months without treatment.
While both types are severe forms of acne, they differ. Nodular acne forms firm, painful lumps in the skin, while cystic acne produces softer, pus-filled pimples closer to the skin. Cystic acne is more prone to rupture and infection, while nodules can cause deeper scarring.
If you think you have nodular acne or are dealing with painful, ongoing breakouts, consult a healthcare professional. Starting treatment early can help manage nodular acne and lower the risk of permanent scars.
Over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments might work for mild acne. Yet, they often fall short for nodular acne. Still, they can help maintain clear skin once nodular acne has been managed with stronger therapies.
Prescription-strength topical medicines could be better for handling nodular acne. They include:
Retinoids are potent oral medicines derived from vitamin A. They are highly effective for severe, disfiguring nodular acne andcan cut down oil production, unclog pores and lessen inflammation. That said, these class of medicines may not be suitable for everyone due to its side effects, including dry skin, nose bleeds and an uptick in sun sensitivity. Anyone pregnant or planning to get pregnant may avoid them and consult a dermatologist or a gynecologist due to their potential for serious birth defects. They are usually prescribed only after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried and have failed to help control the acne.
For women dealing with hormone-induced nodular acne, certain birth control pills may help. These pills help to regulate hormone levels, cutting down on hormone changes that trigger acne.
To shrink very large, painful or lingering acne nodules, your provider may recommend cortisone shots. Your dermatologist uses a fine needle to inject a steroid medication into the nodule. This medication reduces inflammation and speeds the healing process.
In some situations, more medicines may be needed to handle nodular acne and its symptoms. For example, doctors might suggest topical or oral antibiotics to cut down bacteria and inflammation.
If traditional treatments fail, a dermatologist might suggest more intensive Out-patient procedures. These include:
Another Out-patient option that can target nodular acne is laser therapy. The treatment employs focused light beams to destroy acne-causing bacteria, cut down excess oil production and boost collagen to reduce acne scars. Yet, it might not be suitable for everyone or all types of acne.
Check out this simple table summary:
| Quick Table Summary | |
| Topical Acne Medications | Oral Antibiotics and Medications |
| Over-the-counter treatments | Retinoids |
| Prescription-strength treatments (antibiotic creams, retinoids, etc.) | Birth Control Pills |
| Other Medications (e.g., spironolactone) | |
| Out-patient Procedures | |
| Dermatological Treatments (pimple popping, chemical peels, etc.) | |
| Laser Therapy |
Apple cider vinegar is known to possess bacteria-killing properties that may helplessen acne-causing bacteria on the skin. To use it, dilute the vinegar with warm water and apply it on your skin.
Some folks suggest using olive oil as a gentle, natural skin cleanser. It’s believed that the oil can remove excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria, reducing breakouts.
Stress can trigger or worsen acne breakouts. Try stress management practices like focused meditation or yoga to lower stress levels and potentially improve acne.
Follow a regular skincare routine to help prevent and manage nodular acne breakouts. Some healthy skin tips include:
Nodular acne can sometimes lead to scars due to the severity or picking at the affected area. There are a few types of acne scars:
Depending on the type and severity, several professional treatments can help lessen the appearance of acne scars:
Apart from professional treatments, you can use several at-home care options for targeting acne scarring:
Also Read: What is a Sebaceous Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Dealing with nodular acne requires an all-inclusive and different treatment approach. With the right mix of prescription medicines, professional treatments and at-home care, you can deal with and avoid stubborn breakouts, lessen scarring and get healthier skin. If you see a doctor early and stick to a regular skincare routine, you can take steps to regain control of your skin and improve your life’s quality.
The best way to keep away nodular acne includes a consistent skincare routine. That means regular washing, moisturizing, exfoliating and sunscreen use. Also, it’s critical to see a healthcare provider when you think you have nodular acne. They can prescribe suitable treatments to help manage and prevent future breakouts.
Nodular acne can stay for weeks and even months. If left untreated, it often leads to scars. Seeing a healthcare provider early for treatment is key to lessen the length and harshness of nodular acne breakouts.
No, it’s not safe, as squeezing nodular acne can cause more inflammation, infection and a higher chance of scarring. So, keep your hands off and seek help from a professional instead.
Common triggers might include hormonal changes, stress, too much sweating, using certain skin products or medicines and a diet high in sugar or dairy. Knowing and managing these triggers can help reduce the frequency and severity of nodular acne breakouts.
Acne nodules and acne papules are similar, but a nodule is larger and deeper in the skin than a papule.
A pimple has skin cells, bacteria, pus and sebum inside it. Sebum is an oily substance the sebaceous glands make to prevent the skin from getting too dry.
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