Most of us, if not all of us, have experienced acne at some point in our lives. Whether your skin breaks out once a year or once a week, we all know that feeling of frustration that comes along with every acne outbreak.

The presence of acne in a prominent place, like on your forehead or around your mouth, is annoying enough. But what about those times when acne actually turns painful?

 

What Is Nodular Acne?

 

If your pimples are causing you pain, it may be nodular acne, one of the most severe forms of acne. Nodular acne appears most often on the face, chest, or back in the form of hard lesions (though it may show up anywhere on the body).

This particular form of acne comes from P. acnes, a form of bacteria that lives on the skin. Like with regular pimples, nodular acne arises when a pore becomes clogged by a mix of natural oils and dead skin cells. However, if P. acnes also gets trapped in there, it may cause an infection deep under the skin.

If this infection leads to inflammation under the skin, the result will be the hard lesions or nodules that we call nodular acne. Sometimes, only a single nodule forms, but other times, many patches of nodules appear and spread out to the surrounding area.

 

How Do You Figure Out if You Have Nodular Acne?

 

Well, you should be able to tell if you have nodular acne based on its appearance and texture. Nodular acne feels like a small, hard bump deep under the skin, and it usually hurts when you touch it. In terms of color, acne nodules may match the tone of your skin, but they might also become red and inflamed as they grow more severe.

Notably, unlike regular acne or pimples, nodular acne usually takes weeks or even months to clear up completely. It’s not likely to disappear on its own—it does require treatment, often from a doctor or dermatologist. If you ignore it for too long, nodular acne may lead to scarring.

As you can see, nodular acne is relatively severe. If you’re suffering from this problem, you may be stressing out right now—we totally get it. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to treat nodular acne effectively. 

Now, let’s delve into some of the best treatments for this unfortunate issue.

 

Medical Treatments for Nodular Acne 

 

Because nodular acne occurs deep within the skin, it requires more intensive treatment than regular acne. Over-the-counter medications are not effective against this condition. Similarly, while some skin issues can be cleared up using natural, at-home remedies alone, nodular acne usually requires some form of medicine to truly eradicate the problem. 

If you experience frequent nodular-acne breakouts, be sure to visit a doctor or dermatologist. There are a few forms of treatment that they may prescribe:

Antibiotics. As we mentioned earlier, the culprit of many nodular acne outbreaks is the bacteria P. acnes. So, it makes sense that a doctor would prescribe antibiotics to resolve nodular acne. 

With any luck, antibiotics will eliminate the excess P. acnes bacteria that could potentially get trapped in your pores and cause nodular acne to form. This treatment may also reduce pain and inflammation.

Isotretinoin. This is a popular acne medication typically prescribed for severe cases. It’s an oral medication that should be taken daily. 

If you suffer from recurrent nodular acne, this medication is a feasible option. However, it does include some intense side effects, like nosebleeds, headaches, and general aches.

Birth control pills. Many women struggle with nodular breakouts as a result of hormonal changes. In this case, a doctor may recommend birth control pills to regulate those changes and, hopefully, decrease breakouts.

Topical medications. Finally, dermatologists may prescribe topical treatments like antibiotic creams, retinoids, and salicylic acid for nodular acne. Often, people use these medications in addition to an oral medication. 

Keep in mind that every case is different, and the specifics of these treatments vary for each person. If your nodular acne is a serious problem, see a doctor as soon as you can—they know best.

The Best All-Natural Remedies for Nodular Acne 

 

At this point, you’re probably asking one question: what about natural, at-home treatments?

Well, just to reiterate: if you suffer from persistent nodular acne, you should strongly consider visiting a dermatologist. Nodular acne is serious business, and seeking professional help is usually the best move.

That being said, there’s no reason to disavow all-natural home remedies entirely. In fact, such methods are often highly effective when used alongside your prescribed treatment. 

If you’re seeking a bit of extra relief from a painful breakout, check out these tips and tricks:

 

Prevent Nodular Acne by Practicing Healthy Skincare Habits

 

Admittedly, this one isn’t exactly a treatment, per se—it’s a precaution. By taking care of your skin each and every day, you may be able to reduce nodular acne breakouts or even avoid them entirely.

So, which habits should focus on to achieve the best results?

First things first, wash your face twice a day. Use a gentle cleanser to eliminate all that unwanted bacteria, dirt, and grime. Hopefully, this will prevent your pores from getting clogged, stopping acne in its tracks.

After cleansing your face, remember to moisturize. Moisturizing, along with other habits like wearing sunscreen, removing your makeup each night, and exfoliating, will keep your skin feeling healthy and acne-free.

 

Apply a Clay Mask Once or Twice a Week

 

Whether you’re aiming to prevent a nodular acne breakout or soothe one that has already appeared, putting on a calming face mask is the right move.

As we said before, excess oil clogging the pores is one of the reasons that acne develops in the first place. The right clay mask will absorb that excess oil and reduce inflammation, infection, and further spread of the acne.

For the best results, choose a mask with all-natural, healing ingredients like our Vitamin C Clay Mask.

 

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

 

It seems as if people use apple cider vinegar in everything these days. Well, that may be due to its antibacterial properties.

As an antibacterial, apple cider vinegar may fight off the bacteria that gets into our pores and causes acne. If you have some of the stuff lying around, try diluting it with a bit of warm water and gently applying it to your nodular acne breakout. 

 

Cleanse Your Skin With Olive Oil

 

Even if you don’t own a bottle of apple cider vinegar, the odds are very high that you’ve got some olive oil sitting on your shelf. If so, we have the perfect tip for you.

Using olive oil as a cleanser may help reduce acne by affixing to the natural oil on the skin and removing it from the pores. Of course, this decreases clogging. 

Right now, there isn’t much solid evidence to support this claim, but plenty of people swear by this olive oil method. Why not give it a try?

Hopefully, these all-natural methods will soothe your nodular acne and leave your face feeling healthy. 

 

Final Thoughts 

 

Anyone who has experienced nodular acne knows that it is not pleasant. It’s painful, it’s stress-inducing, and it’ll even leave scars if you leave it untreated. That is why seeking treatment is so important.

For severe cases of nodular acne, visit your local dermatologist. Then, be sure to try out our favorite natural remedies along with whatever your doctor prescribes. 

Acne is no fun, but with the right tools and resources, you’ll be well on your way to clear, healthy skin!

Sources:

Nodular Acne: Symptoms, Treatment, Scarring, and More | Healthline

Nodular acne: Treatment and home remedies | Medical News Today

Causes of Nodular Acne and How to Treat It | Verywell Health