There are a variety of methods to treat swollen and painful papules caused by cystic acne. Hot and cold compresses are the best way to relieve inflamed rashes. You can also try different topical treatments, from prescription creams and ointments to natural remedies like honey and baking soda. Discuss the disorder with a dermatologist to determine if options such as antibiotics, cortisone injections, and the contraceptive pill are right for your specific situation. Do your best to soothe and prevent swelling caused by acne by washing your face regularly and avoiding contaminating it with germs.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Apply a Hot or Cold Compress
Step 1. Wash the affected area with a salicylic or benzoic acid based cleanser to remove excess oil
Before you start treating swelling caused by acne, remove excess oil from your skin. Massage a salicylic acid-based facial cleanser into a thick lather and rinse it off well. Do you have dry skin? Only wash the area affected by acne. You can also try products in different strengths to figure out which one best suits your needs.
Pat your face dry with a clean towel to avoid further exposing your skin to bacteria
Step 2. Prepare a warm compress using a cloth and warm water
At the first signs of swelling and inflammation, treat the affected area with heat to prevent fluids from hardening under the skin. Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and wring it out well. Make sure the compress is not hot, otherwise you risk burning your skin.
Step 3. Apply the hot compress for 10 minutes and repeat the treatment three times a day
Press the tablet on the inflamed areas and let it act for 10 minutes. This processing time should be enough to improve blood circulation in the affected area and open clogged pores. Repeat the treatment three times a day.
Step 4. Use a cold compress in case of persistent inflammation
If the swelling persists for two to three days, use a large ice cube or small ice pan. Wrap it with a clean towel or paper towel. Try to touch it as little as possible to minimize the risk of it getting contaminated by germs.
Step 5. Let the ice work on the affected area and then let it rest
Apply the cold compress directly to the area affected by acne and leave it on for 10 minutes. Remove the ice and let the skin rest for another 10 minutes. Repeat the whole procedure three times, so that the treatment lasts a total of one hour.
Step 6. Dab two to three drops of tea tree oil on the affected area every day
Applying tea tree oil to the acne-affected area is also effective. Pat two or three drops every day with the help of a cotton swab or fingertip.
Method 2 of 4: Treating Acne with Medicines
Step 1. Apply aspirin paste to the acne affected area to treat pain and swelling
If the above methods aren't effective in relieving inflammation, crush two or three aspirin tablets into a clean plate or onto a piece of wax paper. Add a drop or two of water and mix with a cotton swab until you get a thick paste. Apply it directly to the affected area and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse the paste off and gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel
Step 2. Apply salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and cortisone for an intensive treatment
Use three acne-fighting products most effectively to reduce inflammation and fight bacteria. To start, take a specific salicylic acid product to do a localized treatment and apply a drop on the affected area. Then, add a drop of an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product.
- These products are all available in pharmacies.
- Apply them with a clean finger or a cotton swab.
Step 3. Ask your dermatologist if it is possible to have a cortisone injection to find immediate relief
Dermatologists can give a cortisone injection directly into the inflamed area to quickly reduce swelling. This treatment is not a long-term solution for cystic acne, but on certain occasions it can temporarily relieve inflammation. Talk to your doctor to find out if it is a suitable solution for your specific case and to know the costs involved.
Step 4. Ask a dermatologist if retinoids are a good solution for your specific case
Only a specialist can tell you if over-the-counter or prescription retinoids are potentially effective products for your type of acne. Retinoids are available in the form of gels, creams and liquids, with different concentrations. Your dermatologist will likely recommend a lower concentration to start with to prevent possible irritation.
- Retinoids may not be right for you if you have particularly dry or sensitive skin.
- Some retinoids should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or think you are, tell your doctor.
Step 5. If you have severe acne, ask your dermatologist if they recommend taking oral antibiotics
Make an appointment with a specialist if you have recurrent and acute cystic acne. He may prescribe an oral antibiotic such as erythromycin or tetracycline to fight bacterial overgrowth. These drugs are usually taken for up to six months, at which time the body can become resistant to these active ingredients.
If the body becomes immune to antibiotics for acne treatment, your dermatologist may prescribe a different type to continue with the treatment
Step 6. Ask your dermatologist if the contraceptive pill can help you fight acne
For some women, acne is symptomatic of hormonal changes or imbalances. Check with a dermatologist and then a gynecologist to find out if taking the birth control pill every day could help you treat the breakouts. They may not recommend it if you are a smoker, have a history of cancer or are taking medicines that may interfere.
Step 7. Ask your dermatologist if they recommend taking isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is a medicine prescribed for severe acne that can treat it within four to five months. However, women who take it must absolutely avoid becoming pregnant during therapy, as it affects the risk of birth defects and birth defects. Women who take it must have regular pregnancy tests during treatment to continue it safely.
Method 3 of 4: Preventing Cystic Acne
Step 1. Avoid touching your face
The contact between hands and face is the fastest way ever to contaminate the skin with the bacteria responsible for acne, as the hands constantly come into contact with germs of all kinds. Touching your face can also cause the bacteria that caused a rash to spread, transporting them from one area of the face to another and making acne worse. Make a commitment to keep your hands away from your face to keep your skin clean.
Step 2. Wash your face twice a day with a cleanser based on salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
The face should be washed twice a day to keep the skin clean and reduce the accumulation of sebum. Look for a salicylic acid-based cleanser to fight the bacteria responsible for breakouts and blemishes. If you have dry skin, try using a salicylic acid cleanser in the morning and a milder one (specifically for sensitive skin) in the evening.
When washing your face, be sure to use a sponge to gently remove dead skin cells. This will also help you reduce the chances of new outbreaks developing
Step 3. Use an oil-free moisturizer
Buy a moisturizer designed for oily and acne-prone skin to avoid blocking pores. Gel products are safe to hydrate the skin without weighing it down, otherwise look for one containing hyaluronic acid to soften it.
Step 4. Clean your mobile screen every day and change the pillow case twice a week
Germs tend to accumulate quickly on your phone throughout the day and on your pillow while you sleep. Pressing the mobile phone to the face during calls can cause the bacteria responsible for breakouts and blemishes to spread. Germs and dead cells found on pillow cases can have the same effect. Clean your phone once a day with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol and change the pillowcase twice a week.
Step 5. Wash the brushes and replace the makeup sponges
The constant exchange of bacteria between the face and make-up tools can be a real nightmare for the skin. Clean your brushes at least once a month to minimize this problem. Replace sponges just as often to reduce bacterial growth.
Method 4 of 4: Treating Acne the Natural Way
Step 1. Apply a honey mask on your face for 20 minutes to treat or prevent breakouts
Raw honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate acne. Apply a light layer on your face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse well with a clean, damp sponge.
Processed honey does not have the same properties as raw honey and is less effective for treating the skin
Step 2. Treat acne-affected areas using a baking soda-based paste
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of water in a saucer. Apply the mixture directly to the affected areas using a cotton swab or a clean finger. Leave it on for 15-20 seconds, then remove it with a damp, clean sponge.
Do not leave the baking soda on the skin for more than a few seconds, otherwise it will cause an uncomfortable burning sensation
Step 3. Eat a nutritious, anti-inflammatory and well-balanced diet
There are a variety of nutrients that help you have clean, healthy skin. You can also do this by eliminating foods that tend to cause inflammation, such as industrial carbohydrates, simple sugars, and milk. Vitamin B6, beta-carotene, fish oil, probiotics and zinc are particularly effective from this point of view. Eat more foods with high nutritional value, such as:
- Bananas;
- Carrots;
- Sweet potatoes;
- Black cabbage;
- Oats;
- Flax seed;
- Whole grain bread and cereals;
- Cold-water fish, such as salmon.
Step 4. Ask your dermatologist if they recommend taking dietary supplements to treat acne
Some vitamins and minerals have properties that help fight and prevent cystic acne. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, are effective in relieving inflammation and swelling. Ask your doctor about the supplements, but also about vitamins A, C, E and B12.
