Classification of Nodular Acne

• According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne nodules are defined as as solid lesions, usually with an irregular shape. Nodular acne is inflamed and affects the deep layers of skin, which gives rise to a higher risk of severe acne scarring than typical acne.
  
  

Traditional Treatments vs. Herbal Treatments

• The American Academy of Dermatology admits that nodular acne does not always respond to traditional acne treatments other than tretinoin, which they also cite as being potentially dangerous to certain patients, sometimes causing birth defects, diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss or hair thinning, and depression. If you believe it's not worth the risk to take tretinoin pills just to reduce your acne, consider one of these popular herbal treatments instead.
  
  Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson of Mayo Clinic recommends using tea tree oil to help solve your acne problems, as it can reap similar benefits to 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. Apply tea tree oil extract on your skin in small quantities, just as you would any other topical treatment.
  
  HolisticOnline.com lists black currant seed oil capsules and echinacea as effective herbal treatments for acne. Echinacea can be taken internally or externally in the form of tablets, ointments, poultices and tea. Echinacea has a tendency to cause an upset stomach, however, so if you choose to take it internally, do so with a meal and not on an empty stomach.
  
  NaturalAcneRemedy.com cites the use of green tea as being beneficial for killing the bacteria in acne. If you prefer not to drink green tea on its own, you can take it in the form of a tablet and as liquid concentrate added to juice or taken straight from a dropper.
  
  According to AyurvedicCure.com, Azadirachta Indica, also known as Neem, is a tree extract containing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic capabilities. Its uses are for internally cleansing acne and other skin problems, including acne rosacea an psoriasis. While doctoral research has yet to support widespread evidence of the overall success in using Neem, Drugs.com does state it has been used by many countries to help treat skin diseases, cancers, and fungicidal ailments and usually gives off only minor side effects.
  
  Though there is not necessarily much evidence from professional medical experts regarding the efficacy of herbal treatments to substantiate their use for improving nodular acne, you should not be discouraged from testing these in small amounts to determine if they will be successful in getting rid of your nodules.
  
  Be sure to ask your doctor or dermatologist about using any herbal ingredient that does not have FDA approval.
  
  

No Prescription Necessary for Herbal Treatments

• The advantage of taking herbal treatments for nodular acne is that you don't need a prescription in order to take them. With rare exceptions, most of these treatments are less costly than prescriptions and other dermatological treatments, so if you are economically challenged when it comes to taking care of your acne, an herbal treatment could be the solution to your needs.