What Is Steroid Acne?
Acne can pop up due to several reasons including excess sebum, hormonal imbalance, pollution, and intake of various types of medicine. Steroid acne is a kind of acne that sprouts up when using systemic steroids.
It can appear on anyone from teens to adults who use steroids. However, only some steroids cause acne and users may not see breakouts if they don’t take those varieties.
While it can be a nuisance, the condition isn’t permanent and can fully disappear once users discontinue taking the steroids that cause the breakouts or through proper treatment.
In this short write-up, we’ll try to learn a few more things about steroid acne and how to treat it. If you are looking for some solutions to steroid acne then there’s no need to look further. Continue reading to obtain all the necessary information.
Types Of Steroids That Cause Acne
As stated earlier, not all steroids cause breakouts and so all steroid users may not get acne.
But some types do and using those substances can cause mild to severe steroid acne.
It’s determined that prescription steroids (corticosteroids) and anabolic steroids (used by bodybuilders) can cause acne.
Prednisone, a type of corticosteroid is an example of a prescription steroid that can cause acne. It’s a medication used in the treatment of some ailments that cause inflammation.
It’s also important to note that everyone responds differently to pills. So, some patients can get acne even if they take a small quantity of corticosteroids while others may have breakouts only in the case of excessive use.
High levels of androgens and testosterone in anabolic steroids can also cause acne. Bodybuilders and athletes use these steroids for physical enhancement and overusing them can cause breakouts.
As with prescription steroids, the acne problem caused by anabolic steroids can be mild or extreme depending on the amount consumed. The breakouts will also vary from one individual to another.
Causes And Symptoms of Steroid Acne
We learned earlier that the cause of steroid acne is the usage of certain steroids such as Prednisone (prescription steroid) and anabolic steroids.
The breakouts can be of two types; fungal or acne vulgaris. If it’s the first kind, the acne will mostly be similar in size but blackheads and whiteheads may not be there.
If it’s the second type, the size of breakouts may be more uniform than common acne.
In appearance, steroid acne looks just like regular acne but it appears mostly on the chest, back, neck, and arms. Some users may also see it on their face as well. Here are some common symptoms of acne associated with steroid usage.
- Tiny reddish bumps also called papules.
- Blackheads and whiteheads also called comedones
- Small white or yellow patches also called pustules
- Big excruciating lumps also known as nodules
- Swellings that look like cysts also called pseudocysts
How Long Does Steroid Acne Last?
One positive aspect of steroid acne is the fact that it can disappear and treatments are available. However, the healing will not happen overnight. The time taken for the complete disappearance of the acne also varies from one person to another.
The type of treatment also plays a role in the healing process. The acne may clear up fast in some people with simple application of topical ointments. However, acne may take time to disappear if the patient follows another type of treatment.
Everyone is made different. Hence, it’s likely that while it takes only two-three weeks for the spots to clear from your body, it may take up to 2-3 months in others even if the treatment is the same. So, you must continue with the process and complete the course to have the most positive effects.
Best Acne Treatment for Steroid Users
Acne including the type caused by steroids can be a nuisance as it can cause long-term scars if not treated correctly and on time. But it’s treatable and scars can also disappear without a trace. However, it’s important to keep in mind that different individuals will require different types of treatment.
Here is a brief look at the types of popular treatments for steroid acne.
Topical Treatment
If you have only a few spots here and there, over the counter pimple ointments can help relieve and clear up acne. There are different products available on the market so you have many options.
Mild breakouts of acne vulgaris type can heal with the application of ointments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. For steroid acne, benzoyl peroxide is one of the most recommended treatments as it prevents and relieves inflammation and also acts as an antiseptic.
Doctors also recommend Adalpene, Tazarotene, and Tretinoin for mild acne. However, these options aren’t recommended for pregnant and nursing women.
Oral Treatment
Severe steroid acne may not heal with topical treatment. The breakouts can also leave unwanted scars. If that’s the case, it’s best to consult a specialist and follow a recommended treatment which can include both oral antibiotics and topical medication or only the former.
Doctors may recommend a suitable antibiotic treatment including tetracycline, minocycline, or doxycycline. These can help in reducing inflammation and kill acne-causing bacteria.
Oral treatment generally starts showing results in 4-6 weeks and may take up to 6 months for a complete cure.
Phototherapy
While it’s an uncommon treatment, phototherapy may also help heal steroid acne. Phototherapy is a treatment that uses Ultraviolet lights to treat various skin ailments. It’s commonly known as light therapy.
Preventive Measures
Steroid acne can affect anyone and the case may be mild for some and severe for others. Some steroid users may also never get affected. But you can certainly take some measures to avoid or limit steroid acne outbreaks.
Diet: Your food also plays a role in acne breakouts. Foods including dairy, sugar, and oil can increase acne appearance. If possible, it’s best to stick to healthy food. If you aren’t sure of what to eat, asking for advice from a nutritionist can be helpful.
Skin Care Products: Cosmetics contain many ingredients and some of them cause acne breakouts. It’s best not to use random products and also to check all the ingredients before making purchases.
While consuming a recommended diet and using safe cosmetics may not remove acne altogether, it can help limit the outbreak and also keep your skin healthy.
Steroid acne is unavoidable as long as you use the substance whether under prescription or for physical enhancement.
But you can opt for the treatment and tips to heal the pesky spots. Once you stop using steroids, acne will likely go away. However, pimples can reappear if you start taking the steroids again.
