Acne is not a deadly disease, but it can have a devastating effect on your self-esteem and ability to enjoy life so it is important to know how to prevent it and if you already have it how to care for your skin and how to cure the acne. A particularly severe form of acne is known as cystic acne and in this article I will look at the ways to prevent and treat this skin problem.

Cystic acne manifests when your body overproduces fatty acids known as sebum. When sebum blocks the sebaceous glands, located at the hair follicles, and when the follicles are infected by bacteria, then the characteristic symptoms of acne appear: pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, lesions and cysts. In Cystic acne, as the name suggests, stubborn cysts are formed.

One of the main causes of acne is the change in the body's hormones. During adolescence this change happens naturally to everyone, and that is why acne is usually associated with adolescence. Under the influence of the hormones the body produces the sebum that blocks the skin pores and causes acne. However, hormonal changes are also associated with the use of some contraceptive products and even with stress, so acne troubles some adults as well.

If you are prone to acne then here are some tips that can help you out.

The first rule is to never "pop" a pimple. Picking and squeezing the spots only makes the condition worse.

Keep your skin clean, drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get plenty of exercise. These are basic health habits and they will help you if you have skin problems. If you are "stressed out" then take long walks, practice yoga and allow yourself to relax and "chill out".

If you are taking contraceptives then check with your physician. Some contraceptive pills aggravate acne. If you are taking medicines such as steroids or steroid creams, then once again you should consult with your physicians to see whether they are making the situation worse.

You may also want to use some acne treatment products to tackle the disease. Benozoyl Peroxide is often used in acne treatment as it helps to open up pores and to clear away dead skin cells. Low concentrations of Benozolyl Peroxide used over a period of a few weeks may help you to clear up white heads and blackheads, but not the cysts of cystic acne.

In treating cystic acne you can use Isotretinoin (sold under the names Roacutane and Accuntane). This preparation works by shutting down the production of the sebum which causes the problem. However, there are some severe side effects if this medication is used during pregnancy or if taken by someone suffering from gastrointestinal, blood or liver disorders.

To avoid these possible side effects it is safer to use a more natural treatment. Vitamin B5 or d-Calcium Pantothenate is a natural chemical that reduces sebum production and is effective in the treatment of cystic acne.

Another popular acne treatment product is sold under the brand name Acnezine. It is a combination of herbal extracts and antioxidants. It does not directly attack the bacteria associated with acne, but Acnezine works on the cause of the problem. This preparation neutralizes toxins and poisons and helps the liver to function better and deal with the hormones that create the over-secretion of sebum.

If you are troubled by acne and by cystic acne, then you should be proactive and do whatever you can to cure the problem. Follow the rules of all-around good health, with regard to diet, exercise, stress reduction and sleep and if necessary use some of the newer forms of acne treatment preparations that are now available.