This is awful!

[Doodlz]

I've had acne since I was a teenager, but as I'm getting into my thirties, I find that it's only getting worse. Unfortunately, I've seemed to have spawn chin hairs as well, which become ingrown and in turn, create cysts.

A lot of times, I don't want to leave the house... I don't get it... I've tried everything out on the market. Right now I use proactive, which seems to help, but I still get small whiteheads and a cyst or two once a month around my period. (As if getting the period isn't bad enough! lol)

I've tried plucking, but it seems as though that may be causing them to burrow back into my skin. Some are thick and black, so it makes it nearly unbearable to not pluck at least every other day. :(

Why isn't there something out on the market for this? Man I went into the wrong field!!!

Any suggestions? If not for the acne, at least the ingrown hairs - I think that's the worst part of it all.


This discussion is related to Facial Cysts with Ingrown Hair.

[redlotus333]

I can tell you that this isnt any type of normal acne. The hairs may not necessarily be hairs. It may be toxic buildup of pathogens including but not limited to fungi, bacteria, or viruses. If the cysts itch, it could be viral.  The thing you all have in common may be hormonal changes, depressed immune system or diseases and exposure to too many chemicals. Your body is toxic and unable to fight these things off because they trick the immune system into not recognizing them.  Try to get your body into a good place, get healthy, dont use too many chemicals, stay away from sugar or starches, drink plenty of water, take your vitamins, etc...eat organic when possible.  There are so many new and undiscovered pathogens in our world that doctors will have no clue about until they take the time to look.  A biopsy of any of these would show what it is or isn't but most times your doctor probably wont take the time to do that, right?

So you can only guess that this isnt normal, especially if youve had normal skin your whole life.  But i can tell you these things are opportunistic and want to survive like anything else, so yeah theyll move and spread. Word of advice, you make them spread when you pick at them and dont cleanse the area properly with something like rubbing alcohol or peroxide. If youre tweezing, disinfect the tweezers each time, if you shave, dispose of the razor after you use it and clean skin and disinfect before you shave or youll spread it.

The cure, since these things have a preference for hair follicles is laser, electrolysis, etc. Kill the hair follicle and you'll get rid of these things.  But remember the infection prefers follicles...so be careful with your hair on your head as well.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to cystic acne. 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.

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.