Scalp acne can develop when hair follicles become clogged by a buildup of dead skin cells or excess sebum, which can lead to inflammation in the hair follicle. Sebum is the natural oil produced by sebaceous glands to form a protective barrier on the skin.
Use topical creams and gels: Antibiotic creams, retinoids, salicylic acid and other lotions, cleansers and serums can reduce bacteria or dry out pimples. There are many types of topical acne creams, including benzoyl peroxide. Ask your healthcare provider which ones are right for you.
Essential Oils. Tea tree oil, neem oil, geranium oil, grapefruit seed oil are very effective in treating folliculitis. Tea tree oil can be added to your shampoo, lotion or body wash. Rub it gently onto the affected area and let it sit.
Scalp acne can be controlled with the use of coconut oil, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. Combine a few drops of coconut oil with tea tree oil. Apply the oil mixture to your hair shaft and scalp. After an hour, shampoo your hair gently.
Impacts of scalp picking
If left untreated, skin picking and scalp picking can cause physical health issues. “Picking behavior can be responsible for serious skin infections,” says Nicholas Farrell, PhD, a licensed clinical therapist and Regional Clinical Director at NOCD.
“For someone with a more oily scalp, scales, and clogged pores, one can start with over-the-counter Nizoral (1% ketoconazole) shampoo—or get the prescription strength 2% ketoconazole from your dermatologist,” Dr. Kobets says.
People cannot remove pimples overnight, but home care can lessen swelling and may improve the appearance of pimples. Keeping the area clean, using ice, and hot compresses can help. For persistent or recurring pimples, people may wish to try acne treatments.
Applying a warm compress can help treat a blind pimple. The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin's surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin. The heat from the compress can also help relieve pain.
Self-Care for Folliculitis
Mild folliculitis might go away without any medical treatment. To help yourself heal and ease symptoms, you can: Clean the infected area. Wash twice a day with warm water and antibacterial soap.
At first it may look like small pimples around the tiny pockets from where each hair grows (hair follicles). The condition can be itchy, sore and embarrassing. The infection can spread and turn into crusty sores. Mild folliculitis will likely heal without scarring in a few days with basic self-care.
Touching your hair all the time strips it of its natural oils. This can lead to in dryness and breakage.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
First try a mild corticosteroid cream, foam, ointment or oil (Scalpicin Scalp Itch) on affected areas, keeping it away from the eyes. If that doesn't work, try the antifungal cream ketoconazole. Don't use styling products. Stop using hair sprays, gels and other styling products while you're treating the condition.
Lots of scalp pimples are caused by shampoo, styling gel, and hairsprays that leave residues on your scalp and also clog your pores. Scalp acne caused by hair products is so common that it has its own medical name: acne cosmetica. Hormones can also cause acne.
Drinking plenty of water can also help flush out toxins from the body and keep the skin hydrated. If your scalp acne persists despite trying these remedies, it is best to consult a dermatologist. They can prescribe medicated shampoos or topical treatments to help control the condition.
Viral infections
Folliculitis may be caused by the herpes simplex virus. This tends to be tender and resolves without treatment in around ten days. Severe recurrent attacks may be treated with aciclovir and other antiviral agents.
We all have hair follicles all over our body, including on our bums, and each hair follicle grows out of what are more commonly known as pores. Similar to the acne on other areas of the body, when these pores become inflamed and clogged up, folliculitis can form.