|
| Macules, Nodules and Cysts | A macule is a temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat, usually red-pink or red, with a well seen border. A macule may last for a few days to weeks before vanishing. When a number of macules are present at one time they can contribute to the "inflamed face" appearance of acne.
A nodule is a strong, irregularly-shaped or dome-shaped lesion. It is characterized by inflammation, extends into deeper layers of the skin and may cause tissue destruction those results in scarring. A nodule may be very painful. Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that may not respond to therapies other than isotretinoin.
A cyst is a damage containing semi-liquid or liquid material consisting of white dead cells, blood cells and bacteria. It is larger than a pustule, may be very painful and severely inflamed, extends into deeper layers of the skin and can result in scarring. Nodules and cysts are often occur together in a severe form of acne called nodulocystic.
Methodical therapy with isotretinoin is sometimes the only effective treatment for nodulocystic acne. Some acne researchers say that true cysts rarely occur in acne and that the lesions called cysts are often severely inflamed nodules, and the term nodulocystic should be abandoned. A cyst is a severe form of acne that is often resistant to treatment and likely to leave scars after healing.
|
|
