Even though it's not visible, pimples on the head can be painful, itchy, and annoying when you comb your hair. Especially if acne is infected and becomes severe, it can cause hair loss, ulceration, and permanent baldness. The good news, there are easy and appropriate treatments to deal with and prevent it. Check out more in the following review!
Acne on the head or also called folliculitis, occurs when the pores or hair follicles are blocked and inflamed due to infection. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), Staphylococcus epidermidis, mites, and fungi are some types of organisms that can infect the scalp and cause inflammation, causing acne on the scalp.
Acne on the head usually appears in the form of small red bumps, some bumps filled with pus and has a yellow or white dot in the middle. The lump sometimes breaks and then dries and forms a scab. In addition to bumps, pain and itching also often accompany the appearance of pimples on the head.
Factors That Cause Acne on the Head
Here are some habits that cause the pores of the scalp to clog, leading to acne.
- Does not maintain hair and scalp hygiene, rarely and lazy to wash hair.
- Put off shampooing after exercising.
- Excessive use of shampoo, hair oil, hairspray and other hair products.
- Wearing a head covering, like a hat or helmet, is too long.
- Wear tight headgear or with material that causes excessive sweating.
- Bathing in a bath tub that is not clean.
- Shaving or waxing.
There are also a number of factors that make you prone to pimples on the head, including:
- Medical conditions that make you vulnerable to infections, such as diabetes, chronic leukemia, and HIV / AIDS.
- The use of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids and long-term antibiotic ointments.
Independent treatment at home to treat acne on the head
Mild folliculitis does not require special treatment and can go away on its own. However, to help speed up the recovery due to pimples on the head, you can apply the following methods:
- Wash hair and scalp twice a day with warm water and antibacterial shampoo or soap.
- Make sure the shampoo and conditioner products used do not cause acne on the head. For mild and moderate acne, you can try shampoo products containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, ketoconazole or ciclopirox, tea tree oil, and jojoba oil. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are useful for sloughing off dead skin cells and killing bacteria. Whereas ketoconazole or ciclopirox is an antifungal ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos.
- It is recommended to avoid the use of hair products such as wax, shampoo, pomade, hair oil, and hairspray which can clog pores of the scalp (comedogenic). This type of product can accumulate in the hair and scalp, so that dirt and oil can clog pores of the scalp. Some comedogenic substances in shampoo and conditioner are sulfate and laureth-4.
- Avoid squeezing pimples on the head with fingers or any tools because it can cause more severe infections.
- Avoid irritation on the scalp caused by razors, hair straighteners and curlers, and chemical hair care products.
- Compress the scalp with warm salt water. Wipe the scalp with warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt before shampooing. In addition to warm salt water, you can also try using white vinegar.
- Avoid shaving your hair for at least three, but if you have to shave, make sure your hair and scalp are washed with warm water and gentle cleanser. Apply the shaving cream and leave it for 5-10 minutes before starting to shave. Use a new razor every time you want to shave your hair. And shave your hair properly, that is, shave in the direction of hair growth.
Overcoming Acne on the Head with a Doctor's Prescription Medication
Consult a doctor if treatment at home is not enough to help deal with pimples on the head. Especially if the pimples on the head are severe and cause hair loss. For severe pimples on the head, doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics and topical corticosteroids in the form of creams or oral medications, and isotretinoin. If it is caused by a fungal infection, the doctor will give antifungal drugs. Light therapy and extraction to cleanse pores can also be recommended.
Acne Prevention Steps on the Head
Here are tips to prevent acne on the head:
- Clean your hair and scalp regularly with mild and gentle cleansing products. Immediately shampoo after working, exercising, wearing a hat or head cover, and after sweating.
- Keep your bed clean, change pillowcases and sheets, and clean your makeup before going to bed.
- Apply a healthy diet, limit intake of foods that contain too much carbohydrate. Increase your intake of vitamins A, D, omega-3 fatty acids, fibrous foods, antioxidants, and zinc.
Beware of other medical conditions, if all these treatments do not also deal with pimples on your head. Acne on the head can arise from skin cysts, skin cancer, deep infections or abscesses, and infected seborrheic dermatitis. Immediately do a doctor's examination to get further treatment according to the conditions that you are experiencing.
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