Use of ointments containing benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics like erythromycin are some of the ways to treat papules. Apart from using topical agents, it is necessary to follow a healthy diet to speed up healing.
Acne, the most common type of skin problem can manifest in the form of papules. Papules are small elevated structures on the skin and are commonly seen on the face and the back. They are generally observed on the cheeks and the nose. A papule is similar to pimple but unlike pimples, it does not have any whitehead. Papules formed, generally have a diameter that varies between 1 to 5mm. Also, unlike blisters, these papules do not contain any pus or fluid or cause irritation. These flesh-colored red bumps are sometimes so small that one has to touch them in order to feel them.
Fibrous papules usually appear on the nose and are dome-shaped firm bumps having a diameter between 2-6 mm. These are harmless, benign lesions, and are not a cause for worry. These skin-colored elevations are usually removed using surgery.
Treatment
Ointment
Before applying any topical cream, one has to first clean the face with a mild oil-free face wash. Generally, application of an acne cream that has 2.5% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid helps to clear away the papules. Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties, hence is recommended to get rid of the infection.
Topical Antibiotics
To speed up healing, the doctor may also prescribe topical antibiotics. These medications have proved useful to eliminate the bacteria causing acne. Erythromycin and clindamycin are the 2 ointments, often recommended for papule treatment.
Oral Medicines
In severe cases, use of only topical agents is not enough and so the patient is advised to take oral antibiotics. Application of ointments alone does not help to reduce inflammation. However, use of oral and topical antibiotics can work wonders to clear the skin.
Diet
Certain foodstuffs are known to aggravate this skin condition. For instance, eating fried foods or including coffee in the diet, means this skin problem is likely to stay for a considerable time, no matter what type of medicines the patient uses. Patients undergoing this treatment are also asked to stay away from high sugary foods (pastries and cakes), junk foods, and minimize consumption of milk. Instead, patients need to concentrate on drinking plenty of water and without fail should eat a vegetable salad at lunch or dinner.
Caution
People in a hurry try to get rid of these papules by squeezing it. Those who think that this will work, would be surprised to know that these methods of eliminating papules only make matters worse. The first thing that occurs when a person squeezes is bleeding. This will only aggravate the infection and trigger development of more papules. Keep in mind these methods are no cures and will only worsen the condition.
Surgery
When papules do not respond to any form of topical or oral treatment, surgery remains the only options to get rid of this skin problem. Following are the different types of surgical procedures used for fibrous papule treatment:
Curettage: This procedure uses a curette, an instrument that looks similar to a spoon. The only difference is that the instrument has a pointed, sharp edge attached to it. The affected part of the skin is given a local anesthesia to make the area numb and the procedure painless. Now, using the sharp edge of the instrument, the area showing papule is either ‘scooped’ or scraped. It may cause slight bleeding but eventually it stops. The area then heals on its own.
Laser Resurfacing: In this procedure, an intense beam of light is targeted on the skin lesion. The laser generates heat, which is sufficient to vaporize or burn away the damaged superficial skin, thus removing the papule. Laser resurfacing has been quite effective to clear the skin of papules.
Cauterization: This surgical method involves burning the affected skin tissue using electricity. Acne skin is bombarded with electric pulses to destroy the papules.
Over exposure to sun and skin irritants such as harsh soaps can prolong the recovery time. So make sure to use a sunscreen lotion to protect the skin from UV rays. To make the aforementioned remedies effective, avoid usage of bath soap to clean the face, instead go for mild face wash.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
