Acne is a fairly common skin condition that affects most teenagers and several adults. It is usually a benign condition that does not cause a lot of problems except for the embarrassment. There are some people who suffer from a condition called cystic acne. This is a severe acne outbreak that actually causes acne cysts to form on the skin. These cysts contain a white substance called pus. When acne gets to this point it is imperative that you seek treatment since these acne cysts can cause severe scarring that will be permanent.

When pus appears there will be an infection in the area that forms the pus. An infected pimple can accumulate a lot of pus that that can cause soreness and pain. Many people are tempted to squeeze the pus out of the pimple but this is dangerous because it can increase the infection and cause scarring. It is best to treat cystic acne with a topical treatment that is gentle to the skin. Keeping the skin clean and free of oil is vitally important to getting control of the acne and preventing future pimples from forming.

It is not known for sure why some people suffer from severe acne outbreaks and others do not. One thing that is present in all cystic acne is an excessive amount of oil. People who have very oily skin tend to suffer from more severe acne outbreaks. Simple washing can go a long way in helping to prevent a severe outbreak. If your skin is really oily you will need to wash your skin 2 to 3 times per day. Use a mild soap or herbal cleanser that contains natural ingredients and warm water. Even though your skin is oily you do not want to over dry the skin because skin that is too dry can cause itching and irritation.

Another known cause of cystic acne is a poor diet. You will often see people in third world countries who have severe outbreaks of acne. This is attributed to their diet and the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. They spend a lot of time in the sun and eat a diet of rice. The sun also draws the oils to the surface of the skin. If the oils are not washed away they will get down into the pores and cause them to clog. Once they become clogged they will get infected if not treated properly. Once the pores get infected the pimples fill with the infected pus and cause the acne cysts.

Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne. It is also the most difficult to treat once it becomes severe. It is important for those who suffer from this type of acne get into a treatment regimen that will keep the skin clean and free of oils. You should avoid harsh scrubbing since this will only cause further irritation. Make some changes in your diet and avoid foods that have a high fat content. Fried foods may make the condition worse so try to consume more fresh foods and take vitamin supplements that contain antioxidants. Without proper treatment cystic acne will leave your skin permanently scarred.