Nodular Acne

Nodular acne shares with acne vulgaris the list of factors that can increase the occurrence of either condition. Nodular acne increases when a person is under stress. Nodular acne increases when a person is taking the drug phenytoin. Hormonal changes can also encourage the development of nodular acne.

It might be interesting to discover how frequently a young adult, possibly someone in graduate school, comes down with nodular acne. Such a person might well refrain from seeing a physician about such a condition. Acne has a strong association with teenagers. A young adult might not want to admit that he or she is troubled by adult acne.

Would a young adult know to use either salicylic acid or peroxide pads on the hard and tender area? Suppose the same young adult had experienced a delayed puberty. He or she might have nodular acne as a result of ongoing hormonal changes. Would such a person take the time to see a doctor about some nodular acne?

Would such a young adult consult a health professional about the possible use of oral antibiotics? Following use of the cleaning pads, such antibiotics should be tried. Would the pressure of weighing the benefits of a doctor's visit add to the pressures on such a person? Would that added stress then aggravate the nodular acne?

Perhaps such a person might try to squeeze out the liquid that is in the nodular acne. That would be a mistake. That would only prolong the existence of that nodular acne. If pad cleaning and antibiotics fail to remove the nodular acne, then Accutane must be used.

Yet Accutane can not deliver rapid results. Treatment for nodular acne can call for the taking of Accutane over a 15 week period. Any adult, young or old might find it difficult to stay for 15 weeks with a schedule that included a taking of the required amount of Accutane. How could a young adult with nodular acne be encouraged to use the available acne treatments, rather than the all to convenient tactic of applying pressure to the hard and liquid-filled nodule?