What causes nodular acne?
This severe form of acne develops like other types of pimples. It happens when your skin’s pores become blocked, trapping dead skin cells, hair and sebum (an oil your body makes to keep skin moist). The C. acnes bacteria, which naturally live on the skin, get trapped inside. This causes infection, inflammation and pain.
Blocked pores can result if your body makes too much sebum or if you don’t clean your skin properly. They can also result from:
- Excessive sweating: Skin that’s sweaty is more prone to nodular acne, especially if you wear clothing that traps sweat against your skin. People with hyperhidrosis (a condition that causes excessive sweating) may have a higher chance of developing nodular acne.
- Genetics: You’re more likely to develop nodular acne if you have a family history of it.
- Hormones: Young people who are going through adolescent development (puberty) are more likely to have an acne breakout as hormone levels change. Increased levels of the hormone androgen can cause oil in your skin to thicken, leading to clogged pores. Teenagers and young adults who were assigned male at birth have more of this hormone. People who are pregnant, menstruating or going through menopause can also get nodular acne.
- Medications: Certain drugs, including corticosteroids, can worsen nodular acne.
- Skincare products: Some lotions, creams and makeups can clog pores and lead to acne nodules.
- Stress and anxiety: Increased anxiety and stress can cause your body to produce more sebum as cortisol levels rise. Cortisol is your body’s “stress hormone.”
What are the symptoms of nodular acne?
You may have one acne nodule that appears by itself. Or you may have several that appear together. Providers sometimes call them blind pimples because they start underneath your skin. The symptoms of nodular acne are:
- Firm lumps (acne nodules) that you can feel under your skin. In people assigned male at birth, they usually appear on their face, back or chest. In people assigned female at birth, acne nodules typically develop on their jawline or chin.
- Pain or sensitivity, especially when you touch the nodules.
- Raised lumps that usually appear red, or they may be the same color as your skin.
You may hear your provider talk about nodular acne and cystic acne together. They may even call it nodulocystic acne. Cystic acne, a type that’s similar to nodular acne, causes cysts (bumps) to form beneath your skin’s surface. Cystic acne lumps are softer than nodules. Nodules are firmer, very painful and feel like knots under your skin. Some people have both cysts and nodules.
FAQs
Nodular acne is severe acne that causes hard, painful lumps deep within the skin that often scar. Several factors contribute to nodular acne, including overactive oil glands, an increase in androgen hormones, a buildup of dead skin cells, and high amounts of acne-related bacteria on the skin.
What is the main cause of nodular acne? ›
What causes nodular acne? This severe form of acne develops like other types of pimples. It happens when your skin's pores become blocked, trapping dead skin cells, hair and sebum (an oil your body makes to keep skin moist). The C. acnes bacteria, which naturally live on the skin, get trapped inside.
How do you know if nodular acne is healing? ›
7 signs that acne is healing
- Larger cysts and pustules crust over. Acne cysts are deep, pus filled bumps that are very noticeable. ...
- Nodules retreat. ...
- Reduction in 'redness' ...
- Fewer new spots appearing. ...
- Less severe spots/cysts. ...
- Skin appears less oily. ...
- Reduction in blackheads/whiteheads.
Papules and pustules represent inflammatory acne lesions, which originate as comedones. Nodular acne — As lesions progress to become larger and more tender, they are termed nodules. Nodulocystic acne — Cysts are deep, fluid-filled lesions and when these occur along with nodules, the term nodulocystic acne is used.
What types of acne are nodular? ›
Nodules are bumps that can be skin colored but are more often red as they are inflamed. These nodules can last for weeks and even months and can eventually form cysts in the layers of the skin's if left untreated. Nodular acne is a severe type of acne and can often be confused with cystic acne.
What is the fastest way to cure nodular acne? ›
- Isotretinoin. This oral medication has been proven effective for treating severe inflammatory acne like nodules and cysts. ...
- Oral contraceptives. For women who experience acne due to hormonal fluctuations, some birth control pills can help with the hormonal aspect of acne. ...
- Spironolactone. ...
- Topical retinoids.
To keep skin clean and reduce breakouts, a person can try:
- washing face twice daily.
- washing directly after exercise.
- removing makeup before bed.
- using a lightweight moisturizer.
- applying sunscreen daily.
- avoiding touching the face.
- washing hands before applying makeup.
Isotretinoin: You may have heard people refer to this medication as Accutane. That's a brand name of isotretinoin that's no longer available. Dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin to treat nodular acne that hasn't responded to other acne treatments. Nodular acne is the most severe type of acne and can cause scarring.
What does nodular acne look like? ›
It may also affect other areas of the body. Nodules can be the same color as the skin or appear red or pink. Acne nodules are commonly inflamed and may be painful to touch. Many people describe them as hard knots deep in the skin.
Does salicylic acid remove nodular acne? ›
Widely available OTC ingredients, such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, help shed excess sebum and dead skin cells at the surface only. This can help clear up a clogged pore at the skin's surface, but it will do little good for nodules, which are deep underneath the skin.
If nodular acne is overstaying it's welcome on your face, you're probably wondering when it's going to get the hint and leave. Typically, nodules will minimise and disappear within 2-4 weeks with treatment. If left untreated, acne nodules can stick around for much longer, sometimes months.
Should you ice nodular acne? ›
For example, if you have inflammatory acne, such as cystic and nodular acne, ice can help reduce pain and swelling. On the other hand, if you have blind acne, a warm compress may be the better option, as it can help the pimple come to the surface of your skin sooner.
Is nodular acne the worst? ›
There are many types of acne, with some being more severe than others. Severe nodular acne is the most serious form, causing swelling, patchy red skin with large lumps under the skin that are often painful to the touch, as well as pus-filled cysts. Severe nodular acne can result in permanent scarring if left untreated.
Who to see for nodular acne? ›
Nodular acne is a serious form of inflammatory acne that requires treatment by a professional. In order to effectively tackle the problem and prevent long-term scarring, see a dermatologist for a full evaluation and treatment plan.
What does a skin nodule look like? ›
Skin nodules can include a wide variety of raised skin bumps such as acne, cysts, blisters, skin tags, moles, lipomas, rashes, or inflammatory nodules related to respiratory illness, infections, or allergies. They vary in shape, size, color, and feel. They may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms.
What hormone causes nodular acne? ›
Androgens cause changes in the skin and directly drive inflammation. Here are the three reasons why androgens cause acne: The sebaceous glands are very rich in androgen receptors. As soon as androgens meet their receptors, the sebaceous glands produce more sebum.
What helps nodular acne? ›
Treatments for nodular acne include:
- Isotretinoin: An oral retinoid used to treat a variety of skin conditions, isotretinoin is very effective at treating nodular acne. ...
- Steroids: Intralesional steroids, which are injected into lesions or immediately below them, can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Some of these techniques include:
- lasers and photodynamic therapies.
- prescription chemical peels.
- extraction of blackheads and whiteheads.
- incision and drainage to clear a nodule.
- corticosteroid injections directly to the affected area to reduce nodule size and ease pain.
Nodular acne develops deep under your skin, causing painful, red bumps. Topical treatments and oral medications can help to clear up nodular acne. All acne begins with a trapped pore.
