As I said before in my posts, there are six main types of acne, and I already wrote about a few of them. I wrote about comedones, papules and pustules. And today, I will be covering nodular acne and give you some tips on how to get rid of them.
What are nodules
Nodular acne is another type of inflammatory acne. The difference with other inflammatory acne is that nodules are bigger swollen bumps deeper in the skin than papules or pustules. They can be the same colour as the skin, or they can appear red, and they can be quite painful. Nodules can last from a few weeks to a few months, and they have to be treated. Otherwise, they can leave scars.
‘The Investigator’s Static Global Assessment (ISGA) scale defines nodular acne as grade 4 or 5, which means it is one of the most severe and painful forms of acne, requiring intensive treatments.’ says skinkraft.
Why do nodules appear
As with other types of acne, nodules form when oil and dirt get trapped in the skin’s pores. Nodules usually have another ingredient in the mix called P. acnes. P. acnes is a bacteria that we all normally have on our skins. But if that bacteria gets mixed and trapped with oil and dirt, it causes inflammation. That inflammation gets into the deep layers of the skin, causing the appearance of red and swollen pores.
Another factor that influences the appearance of acne is a hormone called the androgen hormone. Androgen hormones influence the production of sebum in the skin. More of these hormones means more sebum. Also, they can make sebum thicker, making it more likely to clog pores.
According to very well health, ‘dermatologists aren’t sure why some people develop such severe forms of acne, like nodular acne, while others just get minor pimples. There does seem to be a genetic component, though. If your parents or siblings had nodular acne, you’re more likely to get it too. ‘
Also, nodular acne is more prevalent in young men. Teens and young adult men seem to get it more often. I can confirm that as that was a situation in my family. Even though acne seems to be hereditary in my family, my brother got a bad case of nodular acne, but I didn’t. I was struggling with other types of acne.
How to recognise nodular acne
As I wrote above, nodules are big, swollen bumps in the skin. They don’t have a head and can’t be squeezed. Also, they are usually quite painful and sensitive to touch.
Treatment of nodular acne
Again, nodular acne is one of the most severe and painful types of acne and is very hard to treat. As it is rooted deep in the skin, over-the-counter products can’t help with the treatment of nodules. If you are battling this form of acne, I strongly suggest you visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist will usually prescribe both oral medication and topical treatment.
Oral medication
Isotretinoin (also known as Accutane) is a very strong medication often used in treating severe forms of acne. It is derived from vitamin A and is classified as a retinoid. It usually takes a couple of months for isotretinoin to work, but in almost all cases, it does clear acne. Unfortunately, it has some side effects and isn’t recommended during pregnancy. Very well health lists:
The most common side effects of isotretinoin include:
- Dry, peeling, flaking, and itchy skin
- Dry eyes, mouth, and nose
- Chapped lips
- Nosebleeds
- Photosensitivity
- Joint pain
Not as commonly, isotretinoin causes:
- Thinning hair
- Decreased night vision
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Severe chest or abdominal pain
Very rarely, isotretinoin may cause:
- High blood triglycerides
- Elevated liver enzymes
- In pregnant women, severe birth defects
Antibiotics are another option for treating nodular acne. As one of the culprits for the appearance of nodular acne is the bacteria p. acnes, antibiotics seem like a logical way to go. Antibiotics may not be as powerful as isotretinoin, but they have fewer side effects. Also, they shouldn’t be used for more than a few months. As we know, antibiotics kill all kinds of bacteria in the body, good and bad. So, I will always recommend a probiotic to go alongside an antibiotic. It will support your gut health and the growth of good bacteria. And in this way, you can help with the side effects of antibiotics.
Lastly, a birth control pill will sometimes be recommended for women fighting nodular acne. As well as balancing hormones, they can help prevent premenstrual breakouts.
Topical treatments
In addition to oral treatments, dermatologists will usually prescribe a topical treatment as well.
Besides killing the bacteria-causing nodules from the inside, we can do it from the outside as well by using topical antibiotics. Again, they can cause side effects such as skin irritation, inflammation or redness.
Another thing your dermatologist can recommend is prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide. This type of benzoyl peroxide is much stronger than the one you can buy in drugstores. They also come with side effects similar to antibiotics, redness, itchiness, skin peeling and dryness.
Prescription-strength salicylic acid can also help in treating nodular acne. It helps in the way of drying the oil that’s trapped in the nodule. Prescription-strength salicylic acid can have side effects such as dryness of the skin, tingling, severe headaches and severe stomach pains.
Lastly, there are topical retinoids that can be beneficial in the fight against nodules. Retinoids are derivates of vitamin A that help unclog pores and remove dirt from them. They also bring side effects with them. They include sun sensitivity, dryness of the skin and skin irritation. As retinoids cause sun sensitivity, it is very important to use a high SPF every day and avoid being in direct sun exposure. We have to be sun safe at all times, especially when using an ingredient that causes sun sensitivity such as this one.
Have you ever had a nodule? How did you treat it?
