Cystic Acne Condition- Need help

I have never experienced acne growing up and I am now 33 and have recenlty (within the last year) been experiencing what appear to be cystic acne nodules on my face randomly. It started out as getting one per month and has now developed in to several per month, mostly on chin. I see a dermatologist on a regular basis and have recenlty been getting cortisone shots to expedite the healing process. I also take Monodox 2x per day and use Acanya gel at night. I feel as though my condition is becoming worse and I can't identify the cause. I take very good care of my skin, eat well and can't figure out what is causing this all of a sudden? The cortisone shots seem to reduce and heal the cysts quickly but are leaving slight indents in the area injected. I would like to get to what the root cause is and cure that instead of just putting a bandaid over the real issue here. Does anyone have any idea how I can prevent these cysts from occuring? Is there a antibiotic that will wipe out what ever is causing bacteria to grow in my chin? I am allergic to penicillin & sulfa. Please help!!!

Regards,
Shannon

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne. Cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than the more superficial inflammation from common acne. Since they are severe, so systemic medications are usually required. The treatment consists of topical and oral antibiotics, tretinoin, oral contraceptives in females and Intralesional corticosteroid injections. Very severe cases may need excision and drainage. Also the treatment has to be taken for a long time so that relapses do not occur. In your case, pits after the intralesional steroid injections are common and laser resurfacing and collagen filling is the answer to them.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[whatsup69]

I am checking in with you to see if you have found a solution to your problem or how you have been coping.