Scalp acne or pimples on the scalp might not be one of your serious problems but for the affected it is very irritating and demands quick treatment. Severe acne could also cause scalp pain. Scalp acne is essentially the result of clogged pores on your scalp and the remedy could be as simple as keeping your hair clean and using medicated shampoos to remove the dirt from your scalp.
What Causes Scalp Acne
There are varied reasons for the occurrence of scalp acne. It could be the result of several skin complications but it essentially happens of the following reasons:
- A rise in oil levels or the production of excess sebum in the scalp
- The clogging of hair follicles with dead skin cells and dirt
- Inflammation of the hair follicles
- The spread of acne bacteria in the scalp
- Digestive problems could also aggravate acne problems
- Stress which leads to an exaggerated production of sebum and clogged pores
The scalp is dotted with a number of hair follicles and an extensive network of oil glands. The pores are frequently blocked by dirt and oil which could lead to acne issues. This can also happen if you wait too long to shampoo your hair after you are done with your workout. If you sweat a lot while wearing a cap, it could also cause a lot of friction leading to significant acne problems.
You could suffer from acne even if you wash your hair regularly. The build-up of sweat, oil and dirt as a result of badly shampooed hair could also lead to the clogging of your pores. This is when you have to take a relook at your hair care regime as the use of improper hair care products like styling gels and sprays can also lead to an exaggerated build-up of impurities in your scalp.
Types of Scalp Acne
It is important to identify the severity of your acne problem to determine the course of treatment. The issue could be:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe.
The pimples on the scalp could manifest themselves in the following ways.
- Blackheads also referred to as open comedones
- Whiteheads also referred to as closed comedones
- Papules or inflammations
- Pustules or bumps filled with pus
- Cysts that form deep inside your skin
- Mixed forms that are a combination of many different types.
How to Identify Scalp Acne
Scalp acne is not difficult to identify. They are similar to pimples in many ways and are quite apparent as raised bumps on scalp that are sensitive to touch. Unlike scalp psoriasis they do not affect layers of scalp. In some cases, they may also form in clusters. They appear as zits in the back of the head. They can be sore and itchy. Scalp acne can frequently:
- Appears as tiny swellings on your forehead or along the back of your neck.
- Very tiny bumps that might be felt but not seen.
- A cluster of bumps on your scalp
- Whiteheads that form on your hairline and scalp
- Skin coloured bumps on your scalp and hairline
Sometimes the acne may not respond to treatment and could indicate symptoms of a more serious strain. This is when you need to take the help of an expert who would be able to suggest a detailed and stronger treatment plan.
Treatment for Scalp Acne
The standard treatment for scalp acne would in most cases involve a medicated shampoo. These shampoos can be very effective as they can remove all the debris and excess oil and stop scalp acne from happening again. These shampoos can be purchased without a prescription. The ingredients that are used most frequently in these shampoos are:
- Tea tree oil, which is very useful in removing scalp bacteria
- Glycolic acid helps in exfoliating the scalp, removing dead skin and excess sebum
- Ketoconazole is a very potent anti-fungal agent and can be used to treat red and scaly skin
- Salicylic acid helps remove all the dead skin cells
- Ciclopirox is very good for dandruff infections
- Benzoyl peroxide is best remedy for the bacteria which causes scalp acne
If the patient is experiencing a more severe form of scalp acne which is responsible for hair loss, the doctor could also recommend a number of alternatives including the following:
- Steroids
- Antibiotics
- Topical ointments or creams
- Light therapy
It is however suggested that a person should pursue only a single line of treatment at any point of time unless specifically instructed by a medical practitioner.
Tips to Prevent Scalp Acne
While there are a number of cures for scalp acne it would make perfect sense to take some very basic steps to ensure that you do not have to deal with such issues in the first place. Let’s look at what you can do :
- Wash your hair immediately after a workout
- Wear loose fitting headgear so that your scalp receives enough air to breathe
- Ensure that your hair receives a sufficient dose of vitamins A, D and E to nourish them
- Avoid using too many hair products that tend to clog your pores, use natural products instead
- Consult with a doctor to create a diet chart to avoid foods that aggravate hair acne issues
Scalp acne is not a very serious issue and timely intervention can help you resolve the problems very easily with some simple scalp acne treatment. However, there could be times when you let the acne linger, leaving you with a severely infected scalp that would demand expert medical intervention. Do visit us at Rejuvenate Health and let our experts take over, as they provide effective solutions to any such hair issues and more.