Complete Guide On Body Acne

Acne knows no boundaries. Acne which does not appear on the face but occur on neck, shoulders, chest, back, or buttocks etc., is called body acne.

When oil-producing sebaceous glands become over active, extra sebum or oil is produced. This excess oil then gets mixed with dead skin cells to block the skin pores and draw bacteria. This produces inflamed lesions called pimples or acne. Just like facial pimples, body acne is more prevalent since there are many sebaceous glands on these body parts. It can appear in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, pimples, cysts or nodules.

The same factors like genetics, hormones, stress, and menstrual condition in combination with excessive sweating and tight-fit clothing can cause acne on the body. The affected skin may worsen due to friction from apparel. Many physically active men and women when perspire excessively in tight clothing invite pimples. Due to snug clothing, the sweat stays on the body which then mixes with skin oils to create clogged pores. Steroids taking athletes may experience body acne as a side effect.

How To Treat Body Acne?

Like its facial counterpart, body acne can turn serious when characterized by nodules and cysts on the back with the possibility of permanent scarring on the body. It is a very uncomfortable condition to live with; hence proper treatment has to be done to prevent and cure such a condition.

• Wear natural fabrics like cotton that can keep the moisture away from the skin while exercising. This will keep your skin dry and prevent pimples.
• Wash the affected skin daily using a salicylic acid based cleanser. Follow that up by using a benzoyl peroxide cream that dries out the pimples. For exfoliating the skin, you can use a cream containing alpha hydroxyl acid.
• Do not ever pick at pimples since it can lead to skin irritation and permanent scars.
• If normal over-the-counter drugs or lotions are not helping to cure acne, a visit to the dermatologist is a must. He can prescribe some oral antibiotics to start with. If the problem persists, he can start with stronger treatments such as Retin A to treat the irritation. For treating severe and persistent acne on the body, Accutane can also be prescribed. It is effective for all kinds of acne but it should be only taken as a last resort since it is known to have some side effects.
• Unfortunately, acne on the body is most likely to leave scars. Since they are mostly cystic in nature, it is very common for cysts to burst, thus causing bleeding and scabbing. To prevent scars, never pick off the scab and apply cream to the affected area.

If you be persistent and patient in treating body acne, you will surely be able to get rid of it.