Acne forms when a pore is clogged with dead skin cells, excess oil and bacteria. There are several types of acne, ranging from mild to severe. If you have a pimple that is large and painful, it is most likely a nodule or cyst. Nodules and cysts can form anywhere on the face. Unlike milder forms of acne such as blackheads and whiteheads, nodules and cysts usually require professional and early treatment to minimize the chances of scarring.
Cause of Acne
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, doctors do not fully understand why some people develop acne and others do not. While doctors do not know the exact cause of acne, they do believe that it is caused by several related factors. One factor is hormonal imbalance. People with an increase in male sex hormones called androgens have large oil glands that produce more oil. Acne can also be inherited from parents. Some things that can trigger and make acne worse are oil from cosmetics, stress and pollution.
Nodules and Cysts
Mild to moderate forms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules. Whiteheads look like tiny, white bumps on the skin while blackheads look like small, black spots. Papules are bumps that are inflamed, small and pink. Pustules are papules filled with white or yellow pus. Nodules and cysts are more severe forms of acne. Nodules are large, hard and painful lesions that form deep under the skin. Similar to nodules, cysts are also lodged deep under the skin and are painful. While they appear similar to nodules, cysts are filled with pus.
Treatment for Nodules and Cysts
Some of the most common over-the-counter treatment products for acne are creams that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria while salicylic acid reduces the shedding of dead skin cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, cysts and nodules are usually not responsive to over-the-counter products and require prescription medicines that work throughout the body. The dermatologist may prescribe oral antibiotics, birth control pills or isotretinoin. Oral antibiotics help reduce inflammation and kills bacteria. Birth control pills are beneficial for women whose acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance. Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative taken orally that reduces the size of oil glands. For an immediate result, the dermatologist may inject corticosteroids directly into the cyst or nodule on your nose to reduce its size and pain.
Camouflage with Makeup
Until your nodule or cyst heals, the best you can do is camouflage it with makeup. Realistically, you won't be able to hide a nodule or cyst but you can at least take away some of the redness so that it's less noticeable. Dab a small amount of concealer that matches your skin tone directly on the nodule or cyst and blend it outward. Make sure that the concealer is oil-free and noncomedogenic, meaning that it does not have any ingredients that will clog your pores. Using a concealer with an acne-fighting ingredient may help speed up the healing process.
Scarring
Cysts and nodules often leave behind scars after they have healed. See a dermatologist if a scar does form on your nose and you want to minimize its appearance. The dermatologist may perform laser therapy or dermabrasion to remove the damaged top layer of the skin so that new, smoother skin can emerge. If the nodule or cyst has caused a pit on your nose, the dermatologist may inject the scar with a synthetic filling or collagen so that the skin fills out. Injections of tissue fillers are temporary and need to be repeated periodically. For a deeply indented scar, the dermatologist may decide to cut it out and stitch the skin back together to a uniform level.
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