Cortisone Shot Acne
Blemishes or pimples can appear on any part of the skin, although these disorders are often found on the face. There are many causes of acne including excess oil, dead skin cells, clogged pores, and bacteria. Acne can be enlarged, painful, and unsightly. If the acne condition is very large and you want to shrink its size quickly, you can use different treatments ranging from removing the contents of the acne to applying topical creams. One treatment that can be done is with "Cortisone Shot Acne".
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Cortisone Shot Acne (Picture: mdacne.com) |
To reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in cystic acne, the dermatologist can inject the diluted corticosteroid directly into the cyst. This treatment is usually reserved for soft, swollen acne nodules, or cysts that do not respond to typical acne therapy. It can be very effective in shrinking nodules and cysts.
Although dermatologists may refer to such treatment as intralesional corticosteroid injections, these are widely known as cortisone or steroid injections, or cortisone injections.
About Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is considered the most severe form of acne. Usually, acne appears as:
- Pimple.
- Whiteheads.
- Blackheads.
- Papules.
- Pustules.
Acne is usually caused by skin pores that are clogged with dead skin cells and oils. Bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), are also often involved. Sometimes clogged pores burst deep into the skin forming large, painful lumps known as cysts (pus-filled lumps) or nodules (inflamed lumps). These lumps can last for weeks or more.
Also read: Best Birth Control For Acne.
Cystic acne, like any other acne, is caused by the interaction of several different factors:
- Hormone. Testosterone, estrogen, and androgens are associated with cystic acne.
- Genetics. If one of your parents has cystic acne, you will most likely develop it.
- Environment. High humidity, excessive sweating, makeup, lotions, and cleansers can cause cystic acne.
- Certain drugs and chemicals. Lithium, corticosteroids, isoniazid, and phenytoin are associated with cystic acne.
Cortisone Shot For Acne
Cortisone injections are injections of synthetic hormones. It is used to eliminate short-term inflammation and shrink large cysts. Injections can be used on the face and body. The injections, which are injected directly into acne cysts or nodules, usually contain small amounts of steroids, such as triamcinolone (Kenalog), a powerful anti-inflammatory. Cysts and nodules may take weeks to heal on their own. Steroid injections can reduce swelling, redness, and pain within a few days.
Side effects of cortisone injections for cystic acne, include:
- Pitting or thinning of the skin at the injection site. This can lead to depression which is visible where the cyst is located. This depression is often temporary and heals on its own. Otherwise, your dermatologist may recommend dermal fillers.
- Hypopigmentation, lighter areas of normal skin or white patches. Over time, this often goes away on its own.
- Systemic effects of steroids. This can happen if it exceeds the injected limit and is absorbed into the bloodstream.
There are several questions about cortisone circumcision, namely "how often can I get cortisone injections for cystic acne?".
You can get multiple injections in one session, with each injection heading to a different area. You have to wait about 6 weeks between injections at the same place
Hopefully, this information about "cortisone shot acne" will be useful for you, especially those of you who want to treat wayward acne.