Cystic Acne Bleeding There are several forms of acne with varying degrees of severity.  One of the worst infections is known as Cystic Acne.  Although it mainly occurs in puberty, it can continue to affect adults in their 20s and even 30s. Symptoms of cystic acne include pain and itching of the affected area.  The lesions are generally larger than normal spots or pimples, often with a diameter of 5mm or more.  Serious cystic acne can bleed continuously and produce a foul-smelling discharge.  Outbreaks usually occur on the chest, back, shoulders and face and can cover over half of each area.  Cystic acne can last for several months before clearing up. As cystic acne is such a serious condition, advice and treatment must be sought from your doctor.  The cysts are best treated with antibiotics and a doctor or dermatologist can also drain the pus from them if this is necessary. It is very important to understand that cystic acne lesions are different from normal blackheads or whiteheads.  Where gentle squeezing to remove the excess oil can help such lesions to heal quicker, the same cannot be said for cysts.  Squeezing cystic acne will only result in spreading of the infection further beneath the skin, leading to additional lesions.  The inflammation caused by cystic acne is also very painful and so spreading it will also spread the soreness.  Picking the cysts also greatly increases the risk of permanent scarring. Like most types of acne and other dermatological conditions, it is not fully known why some people suffer from cystic acne while others do not.  Hormonal changes during the female menstrual cycle have been found to increase the risk.  Additionally, a German study found that smokers had a 62% greater chance of developing cystic acne than non-smokers. Diet is also known to help control acne; increasing fruit, vegetables and water will assist in keeping skin hydrated and healthy. Washing the skin thoroughly in the morning and before bed will obviously keep it clean and reduce the risk of infection.  Applying sunscreen will also guard the skin against harmful ultraviolet rays. There is no simple cure for acne and cystic acne can be particularly difficult to treat.  However, by consulting a doctor or dermatologist as early as possible and carefully following any instructions and advice, it can eventually become a thing of the past.