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How to Get Rid of Painful Pimples Fast
Deep pimples are painful and frustrating. These blemishes are caused by a variety of factors, including hormones and overactive oil glands. Often, deep cystic acne doesn’t respond to over-the-counter acne treatments. A dermatologist, however, can give you treatments that work immediately to reduce inflammation, redness and pain. It’s also important to take preventative steps to reduce the occurrence of future breakouts.
Visit a dermatologist. The quickest treatments for getting rid of painful acne lesions are available from a dermatologist. The American Academy of Dermatology can provide local dermatologist contact information 1.
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Request drainage of the deep pimple. When deep cysts become inflamed, the risk of rupture increases. Contact your dermatologist and request that she drain the pimple. Dermatologists are trained to safely rupture acne lesions without leaving scars or causing infection. The cyst will also heal quicker.
Use steroid injections. A dermatologist can inject a corticosteroid treatment into the deep pimple. As a result, inflammation and pain will subside quickly. Instead of taking weeks to heal, pimples heal in as little as three days, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 1.
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Apply topical treatments to the affected area. For moderate to severe acne, your doctor may recommend prescription topical treatments, such as retinoids. Apply as directed and contact your doctor if side effects, such as irritation or redness, occur.
Use a preventative acne treatment to avoid additional breakouts. If your acne is usually deep, you may need an oral mediation to keep it under control. Usually, a dermatologist will prescribe antibiotics for moderate to severe acne. If your skin doesn’t respond well to antibiotics, isotretinoin, a powerful synthetic drug made from vitamin A, is prescribed. Isotretinoin is very effective for deep acne, but side effects are serious. Discuss side effects with your doctor before using this medication.
Tips
Avoid touching your skin to prevent new acne from forming. Makeup that contains oil can also cause acne. Always remove makeup before going to bed, and wash your face twice daily with an acne cleanser and warm water.
Warnings
Don’t ever drain a pimple at home. This may cause scarring, inflammation and prolong the healing process.
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References
- American Academy of Dermatology: Treating Severe Acne
- Medline Plus: Acne
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Acne: Overview. 2013 Jan 16 [Updated 2019 Sep 26].
- Suh DH, Shin JW, Min SU, et al. Treatment-seeking behaviors and related epidemiological features in Korean acne patients. J Korean Med Sci. 2008;23(6):969–974. doi:10.3346/jkms.2008.23.6.969
- United States. NIAMS. "Questions and Answers About Acne." Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, 2006.
- Lavers I. "Therapeutic strategies for acne vulgaris." Nurs Times. 2013 Dec 4-10;109(48):16-8.
Writer Bio
Nicki Howell started her professional writing career in 2002, specializing in areas such as health, fitness and personal finance. She has been published at health care websites, such as HealthTree, and is a ghostwriter for a variety of small health care organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Portland State University.