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Suggest Treatment For Cystic Acne All Over Face
Question: i have been told that I have cystic acne. Basically all over my face, if I look into the mirror and see what looks like a white head but isn't but just white, I squeeze and sometimes thick, white stuff (please forgive me for my lack of description, but it's not a head or core to a pimple and usually never turns red, but also sometimes a fine long string like of this white stuff will come out. I am almost 40yrs old. In 2008 I became sick {i'm also a brittle type 1 diabetic / dx@ 9yrs old} and no-one has really been able to figure out why I have so much pain in my right flank. Complications to the diabetes, mono-neuritis multiplex, thoracic radiculopathy, lumbar neuralgia, thoracic neuralgia, are just some of the diagnosis. This all began with a severe uti. About 3 weeks before the uti my face began to break out. I am now very pitted, and scarred. I have what the derm. called a cyst for 7 yrs now. It has several pores in it that when it begins to peel layers off there is kind of pressure, doesn't hurt but I know it needs to be "drained" as much as I can. I know this isn't good, and have asked so many for help but they simple say its just acne. As a child, I may have a pimple or two usually around my period. I have had a complete hysterectomy, no gallbladder, no appendix, 4 surgeries on my back including installing a stimulator then removed; had a MI2 sepsis, septic shock; frozen shoulders; had contorted ovary{11.72cm} w/hair, teeth; adnomiosis {which is why they took my uterus, then the left ovary {contorted}, then right with a 5cm cyst. My hormones have been countlessly checked, was placed on testim, progesterone; now only using divigel. I also have debilitating migraines. I've also had several large {golf ball size} cysts in my groin that has been MRSA.
...***back to my face*** it also seems that when I do squeeze a spot I have to continue the pressure to remove the discharge or else it seems to get sucked back in. Some of the thin stringy stuff doesn't have an odor, but the thicker stuff does.
I know I am a total mess, but figured some background may help. Do you have any thoughts, ideas, advice?
I wasn't really prepared for the amount of this question but, since I can't get answers here I suppose this can't hurt. But, the second question would be what type of specialist should I send all this info to next to try for answers regarding my severe back pain, and migraines? All Neurologist will have nothing to do with me because of long list of ailments. Pain!!! why, what, ???
ANYTHING would help me at this point.
Thank you for even taking the time read all this. My sincere appreciation.
...***back to my face*** it also seems that when I do squeeze a spot I have to continue the pressure to remove the discharge or else it seems to get sucked back in. Some of the thin stringy stuff doesn't have an odor, but the thicker stuff does.
I know I am a total mess, but figured some background may help. Do you have any thoughts, ideas, advice?
I wasn't really prepared for the amount of this question but, since I can't get answers here I suppose this can't hurt. But, the second question would be what type of specialist should I send all this info to next to try for answers regarding my severe back pain, and migraines? All Neurologist will have nothing to do with me because of long list of ailments. Pain!!! why, what, ???
ANYTHING would help me at this point.
Thank you for even taking the time read all this. My sincere appreciation.
Brief Answer:
In my view you are a candidate for Oral Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I will be advising you on acne. For flank pain and Migrane headache you may consult an Internal Medicine specialist.
I have gone through your query and I have understood it. I have reviewed the Images.
Yes, you do seem to have severe grade of acne judging from your description and I can also see in the Images that you have posted that you have post acne scaring as well.
Severe acne means acne that has nodular Or cystic lesions. This type of acne is so often associated with scaring.
The drug of choice for treatment of cystic acne is Isotretinoin (i.e Accutane, probably that is the name of the drug which you must have heard from your doctor). It is a derivative of Vitamin A.
Isotretinoin is a prescription drug and available under the iPLEDGE programme in US.
Apart from the adverse effect on pregnancy, Isotretinoin can be assumed to be fairly safe for treatment of severe nodulocystic acne.
It is contraindicated in pregnant females and those who may become pregnant while on treatment with Isotretinoin.
Minor reversible side effects like cheilitis, dry skin, increased hair shedding in some are common side effects and usually the only side effects of Isotretinoin treatment.
The drug needs some prior investigation like serum lipid profile and liver function tests before starting.
Side effects like minor elevations of liver enzymes, elevations of serum triglycerides are reversible and usually don't warrant discontinuation of treatment. Nevertheless these should be monitored in patients on Isotretinoin treatment by blood tests.
There have been few reports of suicides in patients on Isotretinoin but that is because the patient were already suicidal because of severe acne or other psychological problems.
On the contrary Isotretinoin improves the quality of life of acne patients and would rather decrease suicides.
In my view Isotretinoin brings remarkable improvement in Severe acne and is considered to bring about the most significant improvement in moderately severe to severe grade of acne Or acne that is long standing and associated with scaring.
This drug is specially of benefit in acne patients who had lost all hope for an effective curative remedy for acne.
I think you should reconsider Isotretinoin and discuss in more details about this drug with our treating doctor.
Regards
Take care
In my view you are a candidate for Oral Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I will be advising you on acne. For flank pain and Migrane headache you may consult an Internal Medicine specialist.
I have gone through your query and I have understood it. I have reviewed the Images.
Yes, you do seem to have severe grade of acne judging from your description and I can also see in the Images that you have posted that you have post acne scaring as well.
Severe acne means acne that has nodular Or cystic lesions. This type of acne is so often associated with scaring.
The drug of choice for treatment of cystic acne is Isotretinoin (i.e Accutane, probably that is the name of the drug which you must have heard from your doctor). It is a derivative of Vitamin A.
Isotretinoin is a prescription drug and available under the iPLEDGE programme in US.
Apart from the adverse effect on pregnancy, Isotretinoin can be assumed to be fairly safe for treatment of severe nodulocystic acne.
It is contraindicated in pregnant females and those who may become pregnant while on treatment with Isotretinoin.
Minor reversible side effects like cheilitis, dry skin, increased hair shedding in some are common side effects and usually the only side effects of Isotretinoin treatment.
The drug needs some prior investigation like serum lipid profile and liver function tests before starting.
Side effects like minor elevations of liver enzymes, elevations of serum triglycerides are reversible and usually don't warrant discontinuation of treatment. Nevertheless these should be monitored in patients on Isotretinoin treatment by blood tests.
There have been few reports of suicides in patients on Isotretinoin but that is because the patient were already suicidal because of severe acne or other psychological problems.
On the contrary Isotretinoin improves the quality of life of acne patients and would rather decrease suicides.
In my view Isotretinoin brings remarkable improvement in Severe acne and is considered to bring about the most significant improvement in moderately severe to severe grade of acne Or acne that is long standing and associated with scaring.
This drug is specially of benefit in acne patients who had lost all hope for an effective curative remedy for acne.
I think you should reconsider Isotretinoin and discuss in more details about this drug with our treating doctor.
Regards
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I apologize for asking you more but, is the white stuff that comes out of my pores, is that due to the severe nodulocystic acne? will this isotretinoin help with this as well? Or is that something totally different?
Thank you again for your help
XXXXXXX
Thank you again for your help
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You are the right candidate for Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
The most important reason for efficacy of Isotretinoin in acne is due to that fact that they are sebostatic i.e inhibits sebum production.
They reduce the size of sebaceous glands (shrinks) by almost 90% within a month.
The stringy, thread like, white stuff that comes out of your pores is actually accumulated inspissated secretions of sebaceous glands and therefore Isotretinoin would help it.
Isotretinoin is antiinflammatory, comedolytic as well as sebostatic, therefore, has multipronged mechanism of action in acne.
Surely, Isotretinoin would help you with your cystic acne.
Regards
Take care
You are the right candidate for Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
The most important reason for efficacy of Isotretinoin in acne is due to that fact that they are sebostatic i.e inhibits sebum production.
They reduce the size of sebaceous glands (shrinks) by almost 90% within a month.
The stringy, thread like, white stuff that comes out of your pores is actually accumulated inspissated secretions of sebaceous glands and therefore Isotretinoin would help it.
Isotretinoin is antiinflammatory, comedolytic as well as sebostatic, therefore, has multipronged mechanism of action in acne.
Surely, Isotretinoin would help you with your cystic acne.
Regards
Take care
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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