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Cystic Acne Causes

Cystic acne is often a painful condition where pus filled cysts and nodules appear on the skin. It is a skin disorder that generally affects the face. The condition is a severe form of acne vulgaris and is typically identified by red papules that get severely inflamed and painful. In acute cases it spreads to the neck, back, shoulders and chest. Adolescents are most commonly affected by this skin problem.

Cystic Acne Causes

The primary cause of cystic acne is over production of sebum, an oily substance naturally produced in the body. It occurs when pores close to the sebaceous glands get clogged with excess sebum, build up of dead skin cells and cosmetics. Sebum produced in the body finds no release since the pores are clogged and as a result starts accumulating beneath the skin. 


The accumulated sebum causes the area to become inflamed. The condition gets aggravated further as bacterial growth sets in. Growth of bacteria worsens the condition and the area becomes infected causing inflamed lesions to form.

Adolescents are more prone to this condition because of the hormonal changes they experience. Hormones cause sebum to be produced in greater quantity. Adolescents experience dramatic enlargement in sebaceous glands because of androgens the body produces. Androgen is a hormone that stimulates sebum production.

Though the main cause for cystic acne is over production of sebum and clogging of pores, there are a few other reasons responsible for the skin trouble.

Menstrual Cycle - Young girls go through hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle. In some girls the changes in hormone levels during the cycle have a similar affect as the hormone androgen has and causes severe acne breakout.

Birth Control Pills - The natural hormone balance in the body is altered by the hormones present in birth control pills. An overload of certain hormones is responsible for the cystic acne breakouts.

Hereditary - An individual's genes decide whether they would suffer from the condition. The condition usually runs in families. There is more likelihood of individual developing cystic acne if one or both parents had the condition.

Stress - Research shows that emotional upheavals and extreme physical strain can cause the skin to break out into acne.

Makeup - Makeup clogs the skin and does not allow it to breathe and this can cause acne. The face has to be cleaned thoroughly to remove all traces of makeup to avoid build up that could block the pores.

Dirt and Grime - Dirt acts the same way on skin as makeup does. Skin which is not cleaned properly will allow bacteria to grow and cause eruptions.

Oil Based Cosmetics - Since excessive oil is one of the main cystic acne causes, using oil based cosmetics could aggravate the condition by doing exactly what sebum does.

Medication - Acne can develop as a reaction to certain types of medication. Medicines clearly mention the possible side-effects on the leaflet and avoiding medication that causes acne could control the condition.

Pinching Acne - When blackheads, whiteheads and pimples are squeezed bacteria present on the fingers and face enters the skin causing infection which leads to acne cysts.

Cystic acne can be contained if the conditions that cause it are controlled. Keeping the skin oil free and clean is one smart way of curing cystic acne.


Article Source: Susan Johannsen

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