Nodular Acne: Causes, Treatment Options, & Home Remedies

What Is Nodular Acne And What Are The Causes?

Nodular acne or nodulocystic acne looks like red bumps deep below the skin layers. Initially, it appears like raised, skin-colored bumps. However, infection and inflammation may make the bumps red and painful/tender.

Nodular acne is a severe form of acne and needs aggressive treatment. Oral and topical acne medications may not help in such cases. If you have nodular acne, consult a dermatologist immediately, who might recommend the below options.

1. Genetic Factors: Clinical studies have found that acne runs in families (3).
2. Hormonal Factors: Androgenic hormone stimulation in women can lead to excessive sebum production, along with P. acnes colonization, which can cause acne. Factors like menstruation, pregnancy, and thyroid issues may also cause hormonal imbalance, triggering acne (4).
3. Stress: If you have acne-prone skin, emotional stress can increase the severity of the condition (5).
4. Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco can contribute to acne prevalence and increase its severity (6).
5. Other Factors: Using medications like corticosteroidsⁱ  XA group of fast-acting drugs (steroids) that help suppress immune reactions and reduce inflammation. , oral contraceptives, bromides, lithium, iodides, and chemicals like dioxine can cause acne. Endocrine disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing’s syndromeⁱ  XA condition in which excessive use of steroid drugs can lead to a rounded face, stretch marks on the skin, or high blood pressure. may also induce acne.

Did You Know?

Although anyone can get nodular acne due to various factors, it is most commonly observed in male teenagers and young adults. In females, it is common during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.

How Is It Different From Cystic Acne?

Unlike other acne, nodular acne may last for several weeks or months. It takes longer to heal and may cause scarring

Does Nodular Acne Cause Scarring?

Yes, nodular acne can cause scarring under two conditions:

• If left untreated
• If you try to squeeze or pick it, causing further injury

Without appropriate management and care, this inflammation can turn into dark spots and blemishes that may not fade away easily. Therefore, it is important to get immediate treatment and never, ever try to squeeze or drain it.

Symptoms Of Nodular Acne

• It appears mainly on the face, chest, and back.
• It looks like hard lesions and raised bumps and feels like knots under the skin.
• The raised bump may appear red or have the same color as your skin.
• It is painful to touch.
• The blemishes in nodular acne can be around half an inch in diameter.
• It may last from weeks to months.

Did You Know?

In females, nodular acne typically appears in the jawline and chin area. Some people may have a combination condition of nodular acne and cysts filled with pus.

Treatment Options For Nodular Acne

1. Oral Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a type of retinoid (vitamin A) and is the only medication with long-term benefits to reduce the severity of the condition. The recommended starting dose of isotretinoin is 0.5 mg/kg/day, which may gradually be increased, depending on many factors, including the dermatologist’s assessment, tolerability, and rate of improvement. Using isotretinoin may cause minor side effects like dryness, soreness of the skin, eyes, oral and nasal mucosa, pain, muscle aches, and impairment of night vision. However, these symptoms go away after treatment withdrawal or reducing the dosage (2), (7).

Dermatologists prescribe the medicine, depending on the severity of the condition. It is not safe for pregnant women, and you should avoid it if you are planning to conceive.

2. Combination Therapy

This is beneficial for those who cannot take isotretinoin. Combination therapy of oral doxycycline (200 mg) and topical adapalene (0.1%), and benzoyl peroxide (2.5%) gel can also reduce the severity of nodules, papules, and pustules and total lesions in 20 weeks (8).

While this treatment may not give the same results as oral isotretinoin, it can show similar benefits in reducing inflammation.

3. Laser Treatment

Using 585-nm pulse dye laser, 1320-nm Nd: YAG laser, and 1450-nm diode laser has shown clinical improvement in severe acne and scarring. They may lead to a long-term reduction in inflammatory acne and reduce acne scars (9).

4. Other Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of your condition, the doctor may also prescribe antibiotics, oral contraceptive pills (only in case of hormonal issues), and topical treatments like prescription-strength retinoids and salicylic acid.

Adding to these options, antibiotics could be another treatment option for nodular acne. Learn more about them in the next section.

Antibiotics For Nodular Acne

• Clindamycin
  A 1% concentration clindamycin product is presently the preferred antibiotic medication for various types of acne vulgaris, including nodules (10). It is available in solution, gel, lotion, and pledget form.
• Macrolide Antibiotic
  Macrolides are a class of antibiotics that have antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. Erythromycin is the most commonly prescribed macrolide for inflammatory acne and other bacterial infections (11).
• Tetracycline
  Tetracycline accounts for 75% of oral antibiotics prescribed for dermatological concerns, including moderate to severe acne (12). Doxycycline and minocycline are the commonly prescribed tetracyclines.

Do note that antibiotics are generally not considered long-term solutions due to the possibility of antibiotic resistance. Hence, they are only prescribed for a limited duration.
Besides adequate medication, taking care of your skin is equally important to prevent the discomfort caused by nodular acne. Although home remedies do not work on nodular acne, they can help minimize the discomfort. However, do a patch test before trying any of them, and if you experience any discomfort or irritation, discontinue using it.

Taking care of your skin is equally important to prevent the discomfort caused by nodular acne. Although home remedies do not work on nodular acne, they can help minimize the discomfort. However, do a patch test before trying any of them, and if you experience any discomfort or irritation, discontinue using it.

 Home Remedies To Soothe Nodular Acne

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is said to maintain the skin pH and keep it comfortable. You can use diluted ACV spray to soothe the acne lesions.

Directions:

1. Dilute equal parts of apple cider vinegar and distilled water.
2. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle and spritz it on the affected area.
3. Wash it off after half an hour.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Topical 5% tea tree oil may be effective in treating mild to moderate acne (13).

Directions

1. Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of avocado oil.
2. Apply the mixture to the affected area.
3. Wash it off after 10-15 minutes.

Also, follow a good skin care regimen. Use prescribed cleansers and skin care products to care for your skin and soothe the inflammation.

Nodular Acne Prevention Tips

• Wash your skin with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water twice a day.
• After exercising, wash your skin to get rid of excess oil or dirt buildup that may clog your pores and worsen your condition.
• Avoid touching your face frequently to prevent transferring dirt and bacteria from your fingers to your facial skin.
• Avoid using makeup products on your skin. If you can’t do without makeup, use non-comedogenic products and remove them with a makeup remover as soon as possible.
• Use a lightweight, good-quality moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
• Do not skip sunscreen ever. Reapply every 4-6 hours. Make sure it has at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun damage.
• Avoid using physical scrubs. You can talk to your doctor and use products with low concentrations of AHAⁱ  XA group of plant-or animal-derived natural acids used in skin care products to eliminate dead skin cells. and BHA for exfoliation.
• Avoid squeezing and scratching the nodules. This may cause blemishes and scarring.
• Follow a proper sleep schedule. The quantity and quality of sleep matter for healthy glowing skin.
• Keep up with your mental health. Avoid stress and practice meditation to fight anxiety and depression. Talk to a therapist if required.

Most importantly, avoid using any product or ingredient on your skin without consulting your doctor. Experimenting with random DIYs that claim to clear nodular acne and using multiple products and skin hacks can worsen your condition.

Infographic: Treatments And Home Remedies For Nodular Acne

Nodular acne not only affects your skin but also your day-to-day life. It is only natural for you to seek treatments and alternative measures to help manage the condition. The infographic below lists some of the best treatments and home remedies that you can try. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ice help nodular acne?

Yes, a cold compress may help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with nodular acne.

What foods cause nodular acne?

No particular foods cause nodular acne. However, refined sugars and grains, dairy products, whey protein, and processed and greasy foods may trigger or worsen symptoms of acne.

Does retinol help nodular acne?

Yes, retinol may help treat nodular acne. However, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist before using over-the-counter drugs for treating nodular acne as it is a severe form of acne.

Will zinc help nodular acne?

Dietary or oral zinc supplementation may help treat nodular acne. However, avoid taking zinc supplements without consulting a dermatologist as zinc can be toxic in the wrong doses.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Get a better insight into what cystic acnes are. Watch this video to learn what treatment you should opt for from a certified dermatologist.

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Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP

 

Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy. She has more than 25 publications in local and international journals to her name. She is passionate about public and patient education...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content. She loves reviewing skin care and hair care products and constantly endeavors to provide...more