What Makes Acne Conglobata Such a Serious Skin Condition?
Acne conglobata is like acne on steroids, literally. Testosterone and steroid use is a large contributor to the network of lesions caused by acne conglobata. Acne conglobata has the ability to cause extensive scarring and damage to the skin, so it should be taken very seriously.
What is Acne Conglobata
Acne conglobata is a severe form of acne characterized by large outbreaks of interconnected acne deep below the skin’s surface. It will usually exist alongside other forms of acne, but can be easily recognized by large, sore bumps. Acne conglobata is much more difficult to control than normal acne and can often times be much more painful and lead to serious scarring of the skin.
Who Gets Acne Conglobata
Acne conglobata is much more common in men than women due to it’s intimate connection with the hormone testosterone, which men have in great supply. Individuals who abuse steroids and suffer from an excessive amount of androgens are also susceptible to acne conglobata. It’s also common for people who have recently finished testosterone therapy, as the body tries to regulate the endocrine system.
What Causes Acne Conglobata
Most of the time, acne conglobata is an extension of an already existing acne problem in the skin. The main factor is excess androgens which can be caused by puberty, steroids or even a tumor that’s independently releasing androgens, or as mentioned above testosterone therapy. If you’re familiar with “backne” or acne on the back and shoulders, you’re probably already familiar with acne conglobata.
How Serious is Acne Conglobata
Acne conglobata should be taken seriously. It’s rooted deeply in the endrocrine system which can cause imbalances in the body. Not only that, but the lesions caused by acne conglobata are much more damaging than normal acne. They are much more prone to infection due to their rupturing nature. Acne conglobata in and of itself isn’t dangerous, but the infection it can potentially cause are.
Scarring is another serious issue with acne conglobata. These scars may be small pits in the skin, or persistent raised areas. It’s important to treat this condition aggressively to avoid the massive amounts of damage it can do to the skin.
What Does Acne Conglobata Look Like?
Acne conglobata can start off as a simple cluster of blackheads or pimples, just like any other acne. What makes it dangerous is when the lesions start to rupture. They will typically rupture multiple times, spreading them out, even interconnecting the lesions at times. This can make scarring a much more serious threat. Often times acne conglobata lesions will scab over when healing. It’s important to allow them to heal without removing any scabs.
Acne Conglobata Treatment
Your treatment options will depend a lot on the severity of your condition. The most common medication used to treat acne conglobata is Roaccutane, scientifically known as isotreitonin. Roacctune carries its own set of risks and benefits that should be considered before use.
Acne laser surgery is another common treatment for severe cases of acne conglobata. Laser therapy can help to quiet overactive sebaceous glands in the skin which are responsible for excreting excessive amounts of oil that the bacteria feed on. This acne light therapy can also help to kill off the bacteria that are living in your skin. Antibiotics are typically used with any treatment to help your body naturally fight off the acne infection.