Home / Scalp Acne
Posted on November 6, 2007 in Acne On Body
Acne is a skin disease that is caused due to the blocking of the skin pores and inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles which are present on the face, neck, shoulder, back and the head. Scalp acne causes acne on the scalp and the frontal hairline
The main causes of acne are:
Scalp acne can be annoying and painful if you do not keep the scalp clean and nourished. The breakout of acne on the scalp is associated with different names depending on its severity like, Acne Necrotica Miliaris for a severe acne problem and Scalp Folliculitis when the problem is mild. High stress levels and oily hair provide a breeding ground for scalp acne. Such a condition is caused due to the usage of oily hair products or due to irregular shampooing of the hair.
The ideal remedy for dealing with scalp acne would be to shampoo more often with a benzoyl peroxide solution. This affects the color of the hair. So, apply with caution and in lesser amounts. If the acne is causing too much of a nuisance and leading to frequent itching bouts, then wash your hair several times with coal tar shampoo or apply an anti-itch product with cortisone to get relief from them.
Mild scalp acne appears on the upper forehead region, usually at the hairline. They are small and brittle in nature. Severe scalp acne is usually black in color and appears over the entire scalp region covered with hair. These are generally inflamed cysts which are large and can also be caused due to certain micro organisms like bacteria, yeast and mites. Follow these methods to treat scalp acne, whether mild or severe.
Treatment for scalp acne:
Scalp acne is a common problem with men and women alike. It can get very messy and troublesome for those already suffering from a number of scalp problems including dandruff, dry or oily scalp, etc. But the key is to keep the scalp clean and well nourished.
Preventing Scalp Acne:
Oily products often aggravate acne in the scalp. Some of the styling products contain oil and they may cause this problem. Hence, if you are having it, try stopping your styling product for some time and see if the acne subsides.
In the same way, conditioners contain humectants which can aggravate scalp acne. To avoid this, try washing with a mild shampoo without any conditioner for a short period of time and see if this reduces the problem.
To prevent it, avoid hot tubs or spas as they can house bacteria or fungus. Avoid sharing towels as acne is contagious and it can be transfered from a person having scalp acne. In the same way, if you have the problem, do not share towels, combs etc.
If the acne is mild, using an topical antbiotics which are available over-the-counter can help. However, if you are suffering from severe form of acne, it is important to consult your doctor or dermatologist. He/she can give you topical/ oral antibiotics, oral antihistamines, or oral isotrenoin to treat the condition.
Washing your hair regularly with a mild shampoo can prevent the problem. Anti-dandruff shampoos are also effective in preventing and treating it as they contain certain ingredients such as zinc, which can be helpful to treat acne.
Caution: Refrain from plucking the scalp acne with finger nails as they can leave scars on the skin.
Copyright © 2007 ygoy.com. All Rights Reserved
Sitemap | About Us| Advertise with Us| Disclaimer| FAQ's| Contact Us
January 6th, 2009 at 5:50 am
I have cystic acne on the back on my head, nape of the neck and on my neck. When they are visible they can be very unsightly and embarassing. Usually, they get worse because I try so hard to keep them covered up. My primary care physician has me on tetracycline, but sometimes if I fall off schedule just one day, the infections start to reappear. In conjunction with the antibiotic, I use a shampoo by Paul Mitchell. It contains Tea Tree and Peppermint Oil. Tea Tree Oil is known for it anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I have always had this problem, but ever since I got out of the hospital it seemed to have gotten extremely worse and so hard to maintain. My physician did say it was staph. I am an extremely hygienic person so I know it isn’t from that and 95% of the time I stay on track with my oral antibiotic schedule. I am on many psychiatric medications but none that would contribute to my condition. I have been taking them for years, and before I started I had it. It started at puberty, so who knows. I went on Accutane when I was 17 and I was a porcelian doll. I am going back to the specialist to see if I can be put on an extremely low dose. I have heard of people taking it 2 to 3 times a week to maintain re sults. I don’t think my liver would like another course of Accutane. I take enough as it is! Accutane is a definite. Other options to me are just frustrating because you never know if you will or will not break out. BTW Accutane is considered a LAST resort. I had Grade IV acne on my face, neck, back of my head, chest, arms, and lower and upper back.
October 4th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Wow Josh, I’m so sorry to hear that! I sometimes get a little scalp acne, mostly in the very back of my head below the ridge, I cannot figure out why, except that maybe I wear a ponytail sometimes and perhaps perspire doing an activity, although I try and keep my hair and scalp clean. I do not wash my hair as often as alot of people (every day or more), BUT my hairdressers say it is in excellent condition.
Let me say: hospitals are notorious for ongoing staph infections, and do not discount that your laying on a pillow (however clean & laundered) may have further added to your problem! It was probably NOT anything to do with YOUR hygiene – it is a very real problem, as the staph keeps mutating and is so hard to get rid of!
I would advise you to consider the following:
1) The Paul Mitchell shampoo may be too irritating – the tea tree is good, but the peppermint combined may be the culprit. The recommendations above, about using a mild shampoo more often or trying one for dandruff containing tar is a good choice. Also, try looking on the labels of shampoos and see which have the least preservatives and additives – and shop for an good organic one! Ever since I did, I notice quite a difference!
2) Seek out not only a good dermatologist, but also a very good cosmetologist and/or esthetician trained and experienced in medical extractions. This is very important! If you get the acne safely treated and then follow a recommended regimen supervised by a physician or trained and licensed professional, you’ll be amazed at the results!
3) I agree – Accutane is the LAST resort! SO many side effect and dangers!
4) See a licensed Nutritionist/Dietician and consider making dietary changes – you may actually be sensitive or even allergic to certain things and foods and not even know! Alternately, adding some things, even supplements to your diet, can cleanse your body of too many leftover toxins (from your many meds), yeasts, and internal digestive issues (not too aggressively, though! And mind your good bacteria!) But this should be done under the supervision and recommendation of a Nutritionist/Dietician or appropriate physician AFTER going for an Allergy Test to see what could be going on.
Finally, having problems with acne most all my life (since about age 5 1/2, believe it or not, and I’m 42 now, and still have it to a degree) I found I once went on medication for it and had such a bad breakout! I marched into the endocrinologist’s office and demanded he look at my body, and look up the side efects in his books. He at first refused – then having read it in front of me, sheepishly admitted acne was one of the MAIN side effects!
Remember, sometimes LESS is more – try to wean yourself off of taking too many things all at once with the supervision of your physician, and also don’t go about attacking your problem too aggressively by doin too many things at once, easy does it.
Try the topical Tea Tree Oil, available in health food stores.
You may also try Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. Apply either with a clean cotton swab – never re-dip in solution! Use other end or new swab – at night before bed. The stuff really works! http://www.mariobadescu.com
Best of luck to you!
October 4th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Oh, and I forgot to mention: after trying just about everything out there, I was amazed that ProActiv really DOES work for me!
They do have a very good and effective Body Cleasing Wash I would highly recommend to you. (A while ago I asked for their Gentle version, as I have sensitive skin to boot and can find too much of products can be a bit too drying. Don’t know if they still make.)
They have a money-back guarantee, so what have you got to lose?
By the way, NO I don’t work for either company!
October 4th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I forgot to mention: After trying everything else out there, I was shocked to find that ProActiv Solution really works for me!
They have a very good & effective Body Cleansing Wash I would highly recommend to you! Their products are backed by a money-back guarantee and you can be advised by their knowledgeable Customer Service team. What have you got to lose?
By the way, I AM NOT employed by either company!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
over about the past 2 years my girlfriend has been noticing that i have massive pimples on my scalp. They are very painful and aggravating. I have tried selson blue and other conditioners but I cant find anything that helps with the problem. Any ideas on what I should do?