Health Network News

Because it is not as visible as acne that appears on the face, people who have back acne are often not as concerned about it. As well, the less sensitive skin on the back means that the pain and discomfort, at least in the initial stages of the problem, are less. It can quickly become a much bigger problem if back acne is not treated promptly, as it can turn into a serious health issue that affects your ability to move around comfortably.

Changes in hormone levels are usually responsible for teenage acne, but there are numerous other contributing factors to the acne that adults experience, such as the clogging of pores due to trapped dirt, and the excessive accumulation of oil in the pores. Therefore it’s important that you keep the skin on your back as clean as possible, washing it twice a day if possible.

Unfortunately, this is one of the hardest areas of the body to clean because reaching it is tough. If needed, use a soft sponge with a handle to ensure that every part of your back is cleaned. Be careful not to scrub the affected area too hard because this will cause the pimples to burst, which can lead to the skin getting infected and the acne spreading to a larger area.

There are non-prescription soaps and shower gels that are especially designed to cleanse and treat skin that is susceptible to acne outbreaks. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the active ingredients in the most highly recommended cleansing products. As products containing these compounds can cause skin irritation, experiment with those that are less harsh initially. If the mild formulations do not work, try the stronger ones, and if there is still no reduction in the acne, try one of the over the counter lotions or gels in addition to the cleaning products.

A healthy, nutritious diet can be very helpful, as food is frequently a contributing factor to breakouts, so follow recommended nutritional guidelines and adjust your eating habits accordingly. Including chromium along with your multivitamin supplement each day is a good idea, because chromium has been shown to be effective in the treatment of many types of skin infections.

To prevent the pimples from rupturing, you should not wear any clothing that is rough in texture and might abrade the affected skin. Finally, if all else fails, you can speak with a qualified dermatologist and find out other steps you can take to resolve a stubborn case of back acne. Your dermatologist is likely to prescribe a more potent treatment that will take care of the problem effectively.