Inflammatory acne is not your average whitehead or blackhead.
This often results in a series of swollen, sore flare-ups, according to theCleveland Clinic.
For those with inflammatoryacne-prone skin, these breakouts can affect both your appearance and confidence.
While the exactcause of your acnemay vary, there are some key practices for preventing and treating inflammatory acne.
Inflammatory acne tends to be red and swells, making breakouts uncomfortable.
The pore becomes inflamed and filled with pus.
Some types of inflammatory acne include papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules, according toMind Body Green.
Often, papules become pustules.
Nodules can be especially painful when touched.
But none of these are pimples to be popped.
Picking at your skin can make inflammatory acne worse, cause scarring, and create painful infections.
Additionally, there areacne mistakesyou should avoid.
The first rule of thumb, according to theCleveland Clinic, is to stop touching your face.
Each time you touch your face, you are unknowingly exposing your pores to extra oil and dirt.
This includes popping pimples already there.
Whiteheads and blackheads can become irritated and lead to inflammatory acne if you constantly pick at them.
Be sure to wash your hands well any time you must touch your face.
For make-up and skin care, choose products that are water-based and oil-free.
Wash your face gently before and after bed and after any time you sweat, like a workout.
A healthy diet can also help with acne flare-ups.
Eating lots of dairy and sugars can make your acne worse, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
And if you’re a smoker, you should quit.
All kinds of acne are more common in those who smoke, the Cleveland Clinic says.
For others, their inflammatory acne requires medical treatment or procedures from a dermatologist.
Some home remedies can help minimize the pain or appearance of inflammatory acne.
However, these remedies don’t attack inflammatory acne at their root causes.
There are three main types of inflammatory acne treatment, theCleveland Clinicexplains.
Topical treatments go on top of your skin, often in the form of a cream or ointment.
The third option is oral treatments.
A doctor can prescribe oral medications ranging from hormonal birth control to antibiotics to treat inflammatory acne.
You’ll also want to use products that, in addition to anti-inflammatory properties, possess soothing ingredients.
Both Mind Body Green and theCleveland Clinicrecommend topical products that include salicylic acid.
Aloe vera is a great source of salicylic acid and will both soothe the inflammation while unclogging your pores.
For moderate to severe acne, your doctor may prescribe a short treatment of antibiotics.
Dapsone is cited by theCleveland Clinicas an anti-infective drug that can be used to treat acne.
Hormonal therapies like birth control can also be used to fight inflammatory acne, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Additionally, isotretinoin can be prescribed for the most serious cases of inflammatory acne.
Isotretinoin treatment, commonly referred to as Accutane, last months, according to theAmerican Academy of Dermatology.
You might be familiar with Sandra Lee, the social media sensation known asDr.
Dr. Lee is a dermatologic and cosmetic surgeon who performs these kinds of procedures.
The Cleveland Clinic also cites cortisone injections and light therapy as potential procedures your dermatologist may recommend.
Talk to your doctor or a dermatologist about seeking treatment that is right for you.
