What is Nodular Acne?

Nodular acne is a type of acne that emerges as swollen, tender, red lumps under the skin. These lumps are called nodules. Nodular acne is more commonly seen in men than in women. The nodules are not painful and do not produce pus. Their sizes can vary from a few millimetres to a few centimetres. Nodular acne usually develops around puberty or adolescence, even though it may also appear in middle-aged adults. It is more common in overweight men and women.

You can identify nodular acne by its distinctive red and hard lumps. It’s a rare type of acne that occurs deep within the skin, rather than on the surface. It’s much more serious than other types of acne because it affects the deeper layers of the skin. The nodules, or lumps, make the acne unsightly and painful to touch.

Caring for nodular acne isn’t easy because it requires extra care and patience, but there are some effective steps you can take to spot treat and stop breakouts.

Our skin consists of three layers: The epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Nodular acne occurs in the middle layer, called the dermis. It consists primarily of sebaceous glands, which produce oil called sebum. Sebum is essential for keeping your skin moisturized and preventing it from becoming scaly or flaky.

There are many reasons for this type of acne, such as stress, major changes in your life and hormonal changes. Face washing alone may not help you because nodules require special care. If you have this type of acne, you may wonder how to treat nodular acne fast and natural home remedies can be a great solution.

Home Remedies to Treat Nodular Acne

Nodule acne is a type of acne that consists of hard and tender to touch pimples. Ordinary acne is much easier to treat than nodular. Nodules tend to appear as single large or multiple small painful bumps on your face, chest, shoulders and back.

Nodular acne (non-inflammatory acne) is a chronic condition that does not respond to conventional treatments easily. However, modern medical treatments may have some side effects and hence, it can be wise to try out some simple home remedies to see if they can help the condition.

Nodular acne can leave behind scars if not treated immediately. The good news is that it is still possible to get rid of these types of acne using home remedies. The nodule will usually shrink in size after a few days and sometimes it does not show up at all. It is important to find out what exactly is causing nodular acne to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Here are some of the home remedies and prevention tips that you can try in order to get rid of nodular acne:

Apple Cider Vinegar: Many people have tried using apple cider vinegar as a home remedy to treat nodular acne due to its antibacterial and anti-acne properties. Apple cider vinegar can easily target the acne-causing bacteria and help the skin heal faster. Always apply apple cider vinegar to the affected areas by diluting it with warm water.

Olive Oil: Some people also recommend cleaning the affected area with olive oil to reduce acne. Olive oil can easily target the excess sebum on the skin and help lift it out of the pores. This is thought to prevent clogging and reduce further breakouts. A study suggested that olive oil has antioxidant properties when used on the skin. However, there is little evidence to suggest that it can do wonders for the skin.

Cold Compress: Put an ice cube in a paper towel and apply it to the affected area for 10 minutes. You need to repeat this process a couple of times to see some visible results.

Warm Compress: Soak a small clean towel in hot water and wring out the water later on. Hold the warm towel on your acne for 10 minutes and repeat this a few times. Make sure that the towel is not too hot as it can flare up the existing condition.

Here are some of the preventive measures that you must incorporate in order to get healthy, glowing and acne-free skin:

Stress hormones in the body may trigger acne breakouts and therefore, you should follow a proper mindfulness technique to reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being.

Steer clear of direct sunlight whenever possible and do not forget to apply your sunscreen every day. Wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap to protect your face and neck.

Wash your face at least twice a day and use mild, gentle face wash.

Do not let sweat stay on your face for too long as it can get trapped in your skin along with dirt and impurities.

Avoid facial scrubs, astringents and face masks if your condition is severe. Always consult your doctor/dermatologist before using any skincare product.

Avoid oily or greasy skin care products and always go for cosmetics, sunscreens and hair products that have mild formulation and natural ingredients.

Do not use acne concealers and look out for water-based or non-comedogenic products.

Take Away

Nodular acne is a relatively rare yet severe form of inflammatory acne. It is in the same category as cystic acne in terms of formation. The nodule formation is attributed to oil gland blockage. This, in turn, causes sebaceous cells to enlarge until they become virtually keratotic in nature.

There are several treatments and home remedies available for this skin condition. If a person has nodular acne, they should speak to a doctor or dermatologist about a personalized treatment plan before making any common skincare mistakes by incorporating any random treatment option.