Scalp acne is a type of acne, which manifests through pustules and pimples appearing on the scalp and along the frontal hairline. These small signs can be painful and disturbing, depending on the causes that trigger acne on scalp and on the severity of the symptoms associated with each of the different types of acne affecting this body area.

Affecting men and women alike, this ailment can be mild or severe. While the mild form doesn’t require a particular scalp acne treatment and can be prevented, most of the time through proper hygiene, the severe form involves a more complex treatment strategy, based on dietary and lifestyle changes, regular usage of a special scalp acne shampoo and the possible use of of oral medications.

The Types of Scalp Acne – Symptoms and Causes

The mild form of this condition is called scalp folliculitis and affects the upper forehead region with small and brittle pimples forming along the hairline. The severe type, called acne necrotica miliaris, manifests through black spots and painful cysts which develop over the entire scalp region but also through smaller pimples which appear in clusters.

The inflamed cysts are larger than the pustules found in mild acne and they’re triggered by the accumulation of yeast, bacteria and mites. Very messy and troublesome, the severe form of acne on scalp can leave behind scars that resemble those appearing in chicken pox, so it shouldn’t be treated without consulting a dermatologist first.

Scalp folliculitis appears more often than people think, but it often passes undiagnosed, as the manifestations are less disturbing. The health problem appears when the scalp is oilier than normal, due to sweat and sebum accumulation. The pustules are generally small and crusty, sore and very itchy and the best way of preventing their occurrence consists in using a gentle scalp acne shampoo.

Both these types of acne can be annoying and painful and can worsen when left untreated, so the sooner you start using the recommended scalp acne treatment, the better your chances are of getting rid of the unpleasant manifestations and signs.

Similar to other acne types, these forms of the ailment appear when the skin pores on the scalp are blocked by the excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands, which mixes with bacteria, deal cells and chemicals from the hygiene products applied daily on the hair. In other words, the main trigger for this health condition is ineffective hygiene.

Scalp acne can also be triggered by high stress levels, by heredity factors, seasonal changes that weaken the immune system, by excessive exposure to heat and sunlight, hormonal imbalances, spicy foods and beverages containing high amounts of caffeine, as well as by drug toxicity.

Treatment Options for Acne on Scalp

Regardless of the trigger or severity of the symptoms, the first scalp acne treatment to rely on is proper hygiene. A clean and nourished scalp skin is less prone to developing this ailment compared to an oily and dirty one, so if you want to avoid this health problem clean your scalp with a mild scalp acne shampoo containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide or with anti-dandruff shampoos created especially for oily hair, such as ketoconazole or ciclopirox. Still, avoid using these products excessively as they can lead to increased dryness of the hair and this isn’t a very healthy condition either.

Another treatment alternative for this health issue is represented by oral and topical antibiotics and steroids, which have proven results in relieving the symptoms and speeding up the healing of the scalp. However, being given their potential side effects, these medications should only be used after consulting a dermatologist.

To prevent scalp acne outbreaks, you should limit the usage of styling products and conditioners containing humectants and you should avoid hot tubs and spas, as these favor the spreading of bacteria and fungus, worsening the symptoms of this type of acne. You should also try to reduce the stress level in your life and to adopt a more balanced diet by including more vitamins and minerals in your daily menu. These will strengthen your immune system, helping your body fight against the symptoms of acne on scalp.

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