Brief Answer: cystic acne and treatment Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Welcome to healthcaremagic. I have read your query and understood your concern. For cystic acne, oral antibiotics like tab doxycycline/ minocycline are started. in case patient does not respond to these medications, oral retinoids like isotretinoin is the drug of choice. But oral retnoids are contraindicated in pregnant females or child bearing age group. In case if indicated at all, isotretinoin should be strictally stopped 1 month proir to plan of pregnancy. Alongwith topical creams like clindamycin gel in the morning and benzoyl peroxide 2.5 percent night tym is usually advised. Do not squeeze or pop the pimples , else may leave scarmarks. Avoid hair oil application and oily food in diet. I hope it helps. You may discuss it with your dermatologist, I am sure he/ she will agree to my suggestions. If you have any further query you may ask me. Good luck.

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Brief Answer: detail follows Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Welcome to healthcaremagic. I usually advice my patients to take doxycycline in a dose of 100 mg twice daily, and then depending on the response, taper to 100 mg per day. As such, it is a very safe drug. But may result in gastric upset, so is advisable to take it after meals. Regarding isotretinoin, it is a wonderful drug for cystic acne but some investigations are required before starting including liver function test and lipid profile which are to be repeated regularly even after starting the drug. In females, urine pregnancy test is also done to rule out the pregnancy. But I will advise you to take this drug under supervision of the doctor so that regular monitoring can be done. It may result in dryness of skin and photosensitivity, so preferably taken in night time with the meals in a dose of 1-2 mg / kg bw. Regarding the acne scars and marks, till the active acne are present, topical retnoids 0.025 percent can be applied at night time on alternate day basis. Clindamycin will help in active acne but wont help in the scars and marks. I will advice you to take treatment under supervision by your doctor so as to have a regular check up . I hope I am able to solve your query. If you don't have further query you may kindly close the discussion and rate it. stay healthy.

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