Me too!!!!

[jam1]

I am a 25 yr old female who  in the past 2 years experienced an accute increase of large bumps which are painful and red, I experienced that same throbbing feeling when one develops. I try hard not to pick but again it becomes unbearable not to. After succesfully popping the pimple like hard formations they bump gets even more red and irritated until finally a long hair is pulled out. The hairs range from coarse and straight to thin and curly. I am in hell here I consider myself an attractive person except for when this problem reoccurs every couple of weeks. I am less likely to go in public and socialize due to fear of embarassment, this is truly a curse which leads to depression. The only option it seems is laser therapy which permanently removes the hairs of color. I plan on doing this once I can afford the expense. Until then I am in misery and pain:-( I am relieved to know I am not the only one.


This discussion is related to Facial Cysts with Ingrown Hair.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This seems to be a condition called keratosis pilaris.Keratosis pilaris (KP, also follicular keratosis) is a very common genetic follicular condition that is manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin.
Keratosis pilaris occurs as excess keratin, a natural protein in the skin, accumulates within the hair follicles forming hard plugs (process known as hyperkeratinization). Bearing only cosmetic consequence, the condition most often appears as a proliferation of tiny hard bumps that are seldom sore or itchy.
Many KP bumps contain an ingrown hair that has coiled. This is a result of the keratinized skin "capping off" the hair follicle, preventing the hair from exiting. Instead, the hair grows inside the follicle, often encapsulated, and can be removed, much like an ingrown hair, though removal can lead to scarring.
There is currently no known cure for keratosis pilaris; however, there are effective treatments available which make its symptoms less apparent. The condition often improves with age and can even disappear completely in adulthood.
Exfoliation, intensive moisturizing cremes, lac-hydrin, Retin A and medicated lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids or urea may be used to temporarily improve the appearance and texture of affected skin.
Also, beta hydroxy acids can help improve the appearance and texture of the afflicted skin.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratosis_pilaris

[grazce]

These symptoms sound painfully familiar. I too had clear skin until my late 20's, and then painful recurring welt like discrete cysts on my face that would get so swollen my face would look asymmetrical at times.  After 2 courses of Accutane things finally stared to settle down. Before that, I routinely had a single cortisone injection into the cyst itself, which helped with the pain and inflammation and also provided a "route" in which to express the contents of the cyst. However, it any tissue from the original cyst remains, then it is not really gone in the cellular sense. You just can't see it. It will likely reappear at some point in the future.

At this point in time I thank God that what I speak to is a painful memory. In retrospect I attribute the development of the cystic inflammation to hormonal fluctuations. I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis during the cystic time period and was treated for that with the drug Lupron ( which puts one into a temporary menopause) and about a dozen surgeries; many of which addressed the presence of multiple ovarian cysts.

Toward the end of my cystic time period (speaking in terms of over 10 years+) I learned a few interventions for pain management. One is to ice the area on and off, being careful not to damage the surrounding skin tissue. The other was to take a anti inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen if you are able to.

As to the management of the cyst itself, I have also applied regular hydrogen peroxide using a Q-tip on cystic area's that had been injected with cortisone as the bacteria that creates the inflammation in the cyst cannot live in the presence of the oxygen that is present in the hydrogen peroxide.

My experience with Accutane was not a pleasant one, there was severe drying of the mucous membranes and constant thirst and cracked bleeding lips, dry eyes, and depression.  Accutane can be a very dangerous drug. It can cause birth defects and I was required  (and believe that it is still required) to have a pregnancy test done every month to be eligible for the medication to be refilled. You should also have a liver panel run before and during treatment. Yes it is dangerous and yes it often works.

Cortisone injections (only 1 as too much can cause an indentation and scar) ICE, non-inflammatory medication, topical hydrogen peroxide if you can tolerate it. And as a last best resort, before scars set in, Accutane. I can hardly believe that some alternative to Accutane has not yet been discovered.

It has been about 8 years since I have had to endure this problem. I have since entered menopause, so endometriosis is much less of a problem, but I still take the pill to control the endometriosis remnants that remain on deep nerve tissue.

I believe that finding a dermatologist that really understands what is going on is the biggest challenge of all.
I was lucky to go Johns Hopkins. However, I never felt that any one Dr. ever really "got it" or was willing to put the puzzle pieces together. You really do have to become educated enough to be your own best advocate in seeking the best care to manage this condition.