The Chronic Acne Condition You’ve Never Heard About

Often initially mistaken for blackheads, the inflammatory skin condition eventually causes deep, painful cysts, lesions, and oozing abscesses in areas of high contact or skin-to-skin friction, where hair follicles and sweat glands are present. This typically includes the armpits, groin, thighs, and breasts. “The painful cysts [are] like big pimples — red, tender, and swollen,” explains Sandra Lee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SLMD Skincare. “These cysts can form tunnels under the skin called fistulas.” A “bump” can occur in one place, says Dr. Lee, but as it tunnels under the skin, it eventually surfaces and oozes in a different area close by.