Are your acne red, swollen, and painful? Let's talk about this severe acne (Inflammatory Acne)!

Oh, how sad it is to wake up in the morning to find a big, red, and painful pimple or two! Sometimes these are not just small blisters, but rather severe ones. So today we are going to talk about this inflammatory acne that often makes you uncomfortable, hurts, and sometimes even leaves scars. Don't worry, let's find out exactly what causes it, its symptoms, its treatment, and how to protect yourself from it.

What is Inflammatory Acne?

Simply put, inflammatory acne is a type of acne that causes red, swollen, and sometimes painful bumps or cysts on your skin. These bumps can be filled with pus, dead skin cells, and excess oil. They are most often found on the face, back, chest, and shoulders . They don't just look like small pimples, they can also develop into larger, deeper cysts.

What is the difference between Inflammatory Acne and Noninflammatory Acne?

Okay, now you might be asking, "What's the difference between these two?"

In inflammatory acne , the pimples are located deeper in the skin. They are filled with pus, which is why they become swollen, red, and painful . In severe cases, they can develop into large cysts, like cystic acne. They can be painful to touch, and sometimes even just to be there.

On the other hand, non-inflammatory acne is the type that occurs close to the surface of the skin. These are usually not swollen or painful. You may have heard of `whiteheads` (small white pimples) and `blackheads` (small black dots) . That's what `comedonal acne` falls into. They are usually small and painless.

How common is inflammatory acne?

This is actually a very common condition . It can develop in anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. However, it is especially common in young people (we call it `teenagers`). However, this condition is not without its problems among adults. Some people have to struggle with this problem for years.

Who is more likely to get inflammatory acne?

Some people are more affected by acne than others. There are several reasons for this:

• Food and Drink: For those who eat a lot of dairy, sugar, and fatty foods. Some people say that eating chocolate also increases acne, right?
• For those living in humid environments: Excessive sweating can cause the skin to become oily and cause acne.
• For those who over-moisturize their skin or use the wrong moisturizer:Sometimes we think that applying a good moisturizer will make our skin look better. But if we don't use the right one for our skin, it can sometimes cause more acne.
• For those who squeeze or pop whiteheads or blackheads: If you see a small pimple and immediately start popping it, it can get worse and turn into a large, painful pimple.
• For smokers: Smoking is not only harmful to the skin, but also to the entire body.

Why does inflammatory acne occur?

Okay, now let's see how these pimples form.

It starts when the tiny holes (we call them pores) in your skin, or hair follicles, start to get clogged with things. What are these clogged things?

• Dead skin cells.
• Some oily cosmetics you apply to your skin.
• Sebum is a natural oil produced by your body.

When pores become clogged like this, those little pimples like `Whiteheads` and `Blackheads` that we mentioned earlier first appear. Then, the contents inside these pimples put a lot of pressure on the walls of the pore. Eventually, the walls of the pore cannot handle this pressure and burst. Then, the pus and oil start to spread into the skin.

That's when your body's defense system, the immune system, kicks in. It sends white blood cells to the problem area. These cells cause the redness, swelling, pus, and pain . It's like a war.

What are the symptoms of inflammatory acne?

There are several types of inflammatory acne:

• Pustules: These are the most common blisters you'll see, which appear on the skin and are filled with yellow/white pus inside.
• `Nodules` (lumps): These are slightly larger, hard lumps that can be felt under the skin, inside, and are often painful.
• Cysts: These are the most severe cases. They are large, soft, fluid-filled (sometimes pus-filled) lumps that form under the skin. These are often the ones that cause scars.

These pimples usually:

• It is painful or tender to the touch.
• It's red all around.
• It's swollen.
• The middle appears yellow, white, or red.

Is Inflammatory Acne contagious?

This is a question that many people ask. No, inflammatory acne is not contagious. That means you can't catch it from someone else, and you can't catch it from someone else. And, really, it can't be "spread" from one part of your body to another. However, the same factors that cause one pimple can cause acne to appear in other parts of your body.For example, if you get acne on your face, you may also get acne on your back due to factors that cause it (e.g. hormonal changes, diet).

How do doctors know for sure that this is inflammatory acne?

This is not something that can be diagnosed through extensive testing. Your doctor or dermatologist can examine your skin and tell you if it is `Inflammatory Acne`. They will look at the pimples and determine this based on their appearance (are they red, swollen, pus-filled, or deep).

Okay, how do you get rid of this inflammatory acne?

This is the most important question. Sometimes, over-the-counter cleansers and creams available at the pharmacy can help reduce acne. However, many people need medical advice and treatment to control acne and prevent it from recurring.

There are several treatment options: some are topical, some are oral medications, and some are extraction procedures.

Topical Products

These are the most commonly prescribed topical medications by doctors:

• `Azelaic acid`: This reduces bacteria on the skin and reduces inflammation.
• Benzoyl peroxide: This also kills bacteria and unclogs pores, but it can dry out the skin for some people.
• `Niacinamide`: This is a type of vitamin B3. It reduces inflammation, moisturizes the skin, and soothes the skin.
• `Retinoids`: These are chemicals made from vitamin A. Examples include `Tretinoin` and `Adapalene`. These increase the rate of cell renewal and reduce the clogging of pores. You should be careful not to go out in the sun when using these.
• Salicylic acid: This removes dead skin cells and cleans pores.
• Topical antibiotics: Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Dapsone, etc. These control the growth of bacteria.

Oral Prescriptions

Sometimes over-the-counter medications are not enough. In that case, doctors may prescribe oral medications:

• Antibiotics: Like ` Doxycycline` or `Tetracycline`. These reduce inflammation and control bacteria. But it is not good to use these continuously.
• `Dapsone`: This is also a medicine given for infections.
• Hormonal therapy: Some women can control their acne with things like birth control pills or Spironolactone (an androgen hormone blocker). These are given to people whose acne is caused by hormonal imbalances.
• `Isotretinoin`:This is also a very powerful medicine made from vitamin A. It is given for conditions like severe `Cystic Acne`. You should be very careful when taking this medicine and follow the doctor's instructions exactly. This is not suitable for pregnant women at all.

Special treatments (Procedures) performed by doctors

Sometimes treatments like these also help:

• Acne surgery: In this, a doctor uses small needles or instruments like a scalpel to remove blackheads or milia . This should only be done by a doctor. Otherwise, the pores may be damaged and more acne may form.
• Cortisone injection: A medicine called cortisone is injected directly into a large, painful pimple. This quickly reduces swelling and redness.
• Light therapy: Uses special light rays to kill bacteria.

Is it good to squeeze or pop inflammatory acne?

This is a big "don't"! Never pick, squeeze, or pop your pimples, especially inflamed ones like this one. Doing so can cause these things to happen:

• Acne scars form: It's like when you crush a mango, it leaves spots.
• More `Nodules`, `Pustules`, `Cysts` form: When you squeeze, bacteria go further into the skin.
• Damage to your pores or hair follicles: This increases the chance of more acne.
• Infection may occur.
• The pimples become more visible and larger.
• The pain is increasing.

Imagine how sad it is to squeeze a small pimple and have it grow into a scar that lasts for years. So, no matter how much you want to scratch it, the best thing to do is to be patient.

How do you prevent inflammatory acne?

It's better to prevent acne before it occurs than to treat it after it occurs. Here are some things you can do:

• Avoid touching your face frequently throughout the day. The oil, dirt, and germs on our hands can transfer to our face and clog pores.
• Choose cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup that are oil-free, water-based, and noncomedogenic. If you have acne, choose products that are formulated for oily to combination skin.
• Do not squeeze or pop whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Doing so can cause them to become inflamed.
• Eat a healthy diet, limiting sugar and dairy products. Eat more vegetables and fruits.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Wash your face thoroughly and apply moisturizer every morning and night, as well as after exercising. Never sleep with makeup on.
• When washing your face, wash it gently and thoroughly. Don't rub it vigorously. Doing so can further damage the skin and increase acne.

How long does this inflammatory acne last?

Inflammatory acne can be a stubborn and difficult condition to control . However, with a few months of good skin care and medical treatment, most people can clear up their skin. This often requires the help of a dermatologist.

However, sometimes this `Inflammatory Acne` can leave permanent scars. That is why it is important to seek treatment quickly and not squeeze acne.

Will inflammatory acne come back after treatment?

Inflammatory acne is often a chronic condition. This means that it can come back during or after treatment. Even if your skin is better, you should continue your skincare regimen to prevent or minimize future breakouts. Just like brushing your teeth, make it a daily habit to keep your skin clean.

How do I take care of myself when I have inflammatory acne?

This acne problem can be really annoying, and sometimes embarrassing. It's understandable. If your skin doesn't improve after a few months of good skin care, definitely see a doctor.

In addition to over-the-counter treatments, there are also things you can do at home to help soothe your skin:

• Use a mask containing charcoal or clay. These help to dry out and remove sebum (oil) trapped inside the pores.
• Use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. Since many acne treatments remove the top layer of skin, your skin is more susceptible to sunburn and damage. (Note: When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it is oil-free and noncomedogenic.)

To prevent scarring from inflamed acne:

• Do not squeeze, pop, or touch pimples.
• Follow a good skin care routine to prevent acne from occurring in the first place.
• Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
• Use products containing `Salicylic acid`. (These also help reduce blemishes.)

Take-Home Message

Inflammatory acne is a skin condition that causes red, swollen, painful pimples called pustules, nodules, and cysts. While it can sometimes be controlled with over-the-counter medications, it often requires treatment from a dermatologist.

The most important thing is to not worry about it, to know the right thing, and to act accordingly. By not squeezing pimples, keeping your skin clean, seeking medical advice if necessary, and with a little patience, you too can overcome this problem. You are not alone, there are many other people facing this problem. So stay strong!

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