Scalp Acne Causes - Treatment
Scalp acne can be a very distressing problem but it is also one that not a lot of people are aware of due to a lack of publicity. Scalp acne is not as common as some of the other types of acne such as facial acne but it is still very distressing for the sufferer. Although it is concealed to a certain extent it can be more obvious when it is at the edge of the hair.
Scalp folliculitis is an inflammatory disorder of the hair follicles in the scalp. The condition is also known as ‘acne necrotica miliaris’ or ‘Proprionibacterium’ folliculitis. It is characterised by small, very itchy pustules within the scalp, often most troublesome on the frontal hairline. There may be only a small number of lesions or they may be very numerous. They are hard to leave alone because of the itch. They often become sore and crusted.
They are itchy and most of the time they turn to sore. If scalp acne or scalp bumps occurs, the scalp is washed using a very mild shampoo but antidandruff shampoos are not recommended. You may also use conditioners if you prefer. Don’t let the condition of the follicles get worst. A severe condition of the hair follicles develops into a permanent scar after it heals.
High stress can be the cause of scalp acne and it is also known by different names such as scalp folliculitis, necrotica miliaris etc. When scalp acne is mild, these appear as small, sore and crusty and appear mainly on upper forehead at the hairline. Some people have many pustules on the hairline and some have few depending on the skin type. The most severe form of scalp acne is known as acne necrotica miliaris which appears as inflamed larger papules which is black in color.
Since the scalp is skin, it follows that you can get breakout even there. Acne breakouts on the scalp can be annoying, but are easily treated the same way you would treat any other breakout. You can use a skin cleanser containing salicylic acid on a cotton ball and apply it only on the breakout area. Most of these cleansers are very stripping and will dry the hair out completely, so keep to the target area and rinse the cleanser thoroughly.
It is very easy to handle and treat mild type of scalp acne, which usually gets cure with the help of some over the counter medications. But for a more severe type it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. A safe way of treating scalp acne is by keeping hair clean and oil free. Also it is a good idea to follow a well balanced diet that has enough fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoiding too many fatty foods containing oils and drinking a lot of water is also useful for treating scalp acne.
