What to Do to Prevent and Treat Acne Inversa

Acne Inversa is often incorrectly diagnosed, can be quite painful and although one can treat the symptoms, there is no known cure.

Anyone who has been through puberty knows what typical acne is but Acne Inversa, also known as Hidradentis Suppurativa, is relatively unknown. Even doctors often misdiagnose Acne Inversa as its symptoms mimic those of boils. Hidradentis Suppurativa causes inflamations under the skin usually in areas of skin to skin contact, such as the armpits, the groin or upper inner thigh and under the breasts, but it can be found wherever there are sweat or oil glands. Unlike typical acne, it usually occurs after puberty and can be quite painful as some of the sores can become large. The pain the sores cause can be debilitating but it is not known to be fatal.

No one is really sure what causes Acne Inversa. It appears to happen when either sweat or perspiration glands can not drain properly and become clogged. This causes a build up of fluids which seeps into the tissue around the clogged pore causing it to swell and become infected. Menstruation, excessive sweating and stress can trigger an outbreak. Obesity, in and of itself, does not cause Hidradentis Suppurativa but it does increase the likelihood of an outbreak simply because there is a greater area where skin touches other skin.

The symptoms of Acne Inversa include:

- Inflamed rashes with pus very similar in appearance to typical acne but located in areas where skin comes into contact with skin.

- Hard spherical lumps, sometimes deep under the skin, that become swollen and painful and can stay that way for a long time, sometimes for years. These inflamations can drain pus for a long time leaving open channels to the surface of the skin. These sinus tracts can open the body to bacterial infections.

Acne Inversa can not be cured but one can takes steps to avoid an outbreak:

- Avoid tight clothing as this keeps sweat and oil trapped close to the skin.

-Good hygiene is important and antiseptic creams can be applied where there is skin to skin contact.

-If overweight, losing weight will lower the risks.

Once an outbreak occurs it is possible to treat the symptoms:

-For mild outbreaks topical antibiotics or over the counter acne creams are often enough.

-In more intense cases a doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics such as flucloxacillin or rifampcin to reduce baterial infection or tetracycline or metronidazole to reduce inflamation.

-In very severe cases surgery can be used to drain the infected area or remove scar tissue.

As is always the case, knowledge is the best way to avoid this disease. Take steps to avoid Acne Inversa in the first place but when an outbreak occurs knowing how to treat it can keep a mild incidence from becoming severe.

Sources:

*Acne Inversa, QuickAcneRemedy.com

* Diagnosing Acne Inversa , TheAcneMedicine.com