The number one rule of itchy breakouts? Don't scratch! Not only will scratching irritate your already inflamed acne, it will also spread more inflammation-causing bacteria into your pores, worsening your breakout and causing new pimples to pop up.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.
As mentioned, serious squeezing, pinching and scraping of pimples causes more harm than help, making it more likely for you to scar. In addition, popping a pimple may result in a small, local infection or result in you inadvertently spreading acne elsewhere on your skin — again, more chance for scarring.
“Not really”, says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine. “But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises.
Treatment options for itchy acne
Give your skin a break from harsh cleansers, scrubs, and drying acne treatments. Opt for gentle, fragrance-free products. Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise: Combat dryness with a gentle, oil-free moisturiser to hydrate and sooth your skin.
Picking makes acne worse
The skin around the picked lesion may become red and inflamed, which makes the pimple look bigger.
Pustules: These are pus-filled pimples that look like whiteheads surrounded by discolored rings. Picking or scratching your pustules can cause scarring. Cysts: These are pimples filled with a thick, yellow or white fluid composed of dead white blood cells, small pieces of tissue and bacteria (pus).
People with acne scars are perceived as less attractive, confident, happy, healthy, successful, and less likely to lead promising futures compared to people with clear skin.
Many people squeeze or pop pimples to remove pus and try to make the pimple go away faster. But when you squeeze or pop a pimple, you can damage or burst blood vessels in the area. That can make the pimple fill with blood.
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then apply the warm, damp washcloth to your pimple for 10-15 minutes, three times daily. This will help the deep pimple move closer to your skin's surface so it can heal. Make sure to use a clean washcloth every time, and resist popping the pimple.
To prevent scarring, avoid picking or popping the pimple further. It can introduce more bacteria into the open wound, leading to infection and scarring. Additionally, picking can delay the healing process and cause the pimple to become more inflamed.
Simply avoiding touching your face won't cure your acne, and it can cause other problems. If you are touching your face, you are more likely to feel those little bumps and be tempted to pick at them.
Avoid picking or squeezing the popped breakout to let your skin heal naturally. If you notice any signs of potential infection like redness, increased pain, pus, or inflammation surrounding the blemish, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
The best approach with a pimple is to leave it alone. Though it might not be the fastest method, it reduces the risk of skin damage. Popping a pimple can lead to infection, scarring, and worsened acne.
Even if you don't pop your acne, you may still see dark red or brown marks appear on your skin from especially deep or inflamed cases. Don't panic, though: if you held back from popping that pimple, these marks will usually fade within a few months.
Picking at pimples can spread infection and worsen acne. A "hands-off" policy is best when it comes to caring for acne-prone skin. Fortunately, there are safer ways to achieve clear skin.
Persistent discomfort can also lead to scratching, which increases the risk of infection and scarring. Persistent itchiness and scratching can lead to acne scarring, which may require multiple treatment sessions for optimal results.
How acne develops. Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Firstly, you need to make sure your acne is fungal, as anti-dandruff shampoo does not affect hormonal or bacterial acne. “Only some individuals may observe improvements, while others remain unaffected,” says Dr Avantika. The other experts agree with her.