Need a non-RX solution for occasional cystic acne

M

Microwave

New member
4 days ago, I started taking ibuprofin daily, and I iced the acne bump one time for about 30 minutes. I can't believe the HUGE difference it made! This bump is going away 200x faster than they have in the past.
 
It get cystic acne about twice a year, and it's only in one spot. It's the typical lump under the skin that hurts, can't be popped, and eventually goes away and leaves a scar. I do NOT want to get a prescription cream, change my diet, go on the pill, take antiobiotics, get a cortisone shot, or take medication for something that occurs so little, so I'm just looking for something to do while I have a cystic zit.

I've heard of taking ibuprofin to ease the pain, and using ice to lessen the swelling. Is there anything else to do that will temporarily help?
 
TCP Liquid dabbed on several times a day (you can buy this from the UK online)

Tea Tree Oil dabbed on several times a day

Daily use of benzoyl peroxide gel (at bedtime) and a salacylic acid clenser (morning and night) to keep the acne away
 
I get these too, but mine is about 1 every 2 months or so.

I use tea tree oil applied directly to the bump twice a day. The bump usually starts going away in about 2-3 days. This does not really help with the scarring, but I've noticed the sooner I stat using the TTO, the less scarring there is.
 
microwave..Thats great it worked for you. I have persistant acne and get cyst flare ups about once a year, knock on wood. (have tried everything short of accutane). I read somewhere about people noticing when they were taking ibuprophen for pain/injury for a week or two and had cystic acne that the cysts got better..figured it must have been the ibuprophen and tried it again when cycst flared up and it worked. I would not take this stuff long term. There are almost side effects, some bad, even with something common and ibupro. So every once in a while for a few days or so I take some...but not on a daily basis when no flare ups. I wonder if it would work for people who have these things all the time?
 
Where do you get tea tree oil? Is it just a liquid that you dot onto the bump? How much does it cost?

I iced my bump last night and it shrunk quite a bit overnight, and, it's no longer painful. I'm very pleased with that technique!
 
Funny you mention that, the NewZealand Society of Dermatologists on their website recomenRAB Naproxen for cyctic acne because of its antiinflamatory action
 
I got mine at Wal-Mart in the vitamin section.

It is a liquid and it smells a little bad.

This stuff has so many uses.
 
Ibuprophen is also an anti-inflamtory and will help ease the swelling. When I get one I usually take 2 per day (sometimes more) for about 1 week. Along with icing it.
 
I did a ton of research on natural cures. I had horrible monthly cystic acne. My dermo kept me on Minocycoline for 2 years. I would get injections every other month.

This is what I do now:

I wash my hair with Head & Shoulders - the zinc in the shampoo helps.

I take 1 capsule of the following vitamins.
1 Saw Palmetto - this is an important one.
1 50 mg of Zinc - again and important one.
1 tab of apple cider vinegar (or drink white vinegar if you can hanlde it - I love vinegar so I take the tablet and also use it in cooking) - this balance the aciRAB inside.

WHen I do get a breakout I dab with Tea Tree Oil and/or white vingear straight on cotton.

All above has worked SOOOOOOO well - I haven't been to the dermo in 1 year now.

I also take flaxseed oil which I believe helps as well.
1 Multi Vitamin
Some soy (as I'm in my 40's)
1 capsule of anti-oxidents
Milk Thistle to flush out my liver.

Good luck, I know how hard it can be to finally be rid of it.
 
I saw on another board that someone was using ibuprophen in a gel/topical cream, I think 15% strength, on his face to treat acne rather than taking it orally and had some good results...What do you all think?
 
Try the buffering lotion from Mario Badescu. It is made especially for cystic acne. There are a lot of postive reviews on their site. I use there drying cream and it works great without drying the skin.
 
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