I have a cystic lesion in my face. can it be acne?
Well yes, it most surely can be acne. Acne vulgaris is the predominant form of acne. It starts with a cyst, ruptures and is infected. Although it is a self-limiting disorder primarily of teenagers and adolescents, 10-20% of the adults may continue to experience some form of the disorder.
The main cause of the disease in teenagers is amplified production of sebum after puberty from a specific type of glands called Sebaceous gland. Small cyst like lesion called comedones; appear in hair follicles as a result of blockage of the follicular opening by retention of sebum and other keratinous material. After that, bacteria infect these lesions. Common bacterium responsible is Proprioniobacterium acnes.
The activity of this bacterium inside the comedones releases some material from the sebum that causes inflammation. The factor is different free fatty acids. Inflammation occurs within the cysts, resulting in rupture of the cyst wall. An inflammatory foreign body like reaction happens as a result of expulsion of oily and keratinous remnants from the cyst.
The cysts may be open or otherwise called blackhead and closed – the whiteheads. Blackheads are comprises of easily expressible dark colored oily debris. Whiteheads are small cysts that are accentuated if you stretch your skin. This is the forerunner of the soreness of acne vulgaris. Comedones usually exist with other type of inflammatory lesion- papules, pustules and nodules.
Initial lesions seen in teenagers are generally mildly inflamed whiteheads. There may not me redness even. This is particularly seen in the temple. Consequently, more distinctive inflammatory lesions develop on the nose, cheeks and chin. Most common area affected by these cysts is face, but lesions in the trunk, back and chest are also seen.
As we said it earlier, acne is mostly self-limiting. In some resistant cases, where the lesion is large, scarring do occur giving rise to ugly look.
There are some factors that can change the outcome of acne. Rubbing and trauma may rupture the existing benign lesion. Thus the lesion that may not be ruptured at all, are exposed to the action of the bacteria and deep scarring results. Application of irritable topical creams in cosmetics and hair care preparations or sustained contact to certain industrial compounds that are comedogenic may bring out or aggravate acne. In addition, there are some drugs like Glucocorticoid cream, lithium, halogens, isoniazide, phenytoins may produce comedones or can aggravate existing acne.
Therefore, should you see any cyst like lesion over your face or back, please pay attention and rush to your doctor for consultation.
Posted in Cystic Acne
