Acne isn’t confined only on the face. It can easily appear on most parts of the body. Some people are lucky enough to get away with just facial acne, but for some, the acne breakouts can be more widespread, affecting larger areas of the body. It is a frustrating and sometimes painful condition.
Besides the face, acne commonly occurs on the back, chest, neck, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne on the body affects everyone alike. Males and females, teens and adults. However, it appears more common, and often more severe, in males. Usually the first outbreaks are on the face, but as the acne progresses, it can advance in its range and severity.
However, generally it is confined to the back and upper torso. Why? Because like the face, these areas have more sebaceous glands per square inch than other areas of the body, so the follicles are more likely to become plugged with excess sebum and dead skin cells. Acne on the body has a tendency to be worse than face acne, possible because it is not as accessible for care as the face. There is always a risk for deep pustules and infections. In many instances cysts can form with body acne with deep and painful lesions that can easily scar.
Body acne is caused by the same factors that cause face acne. There is not one contributing factor, but a number of triggers. Plugged pores, overactive oil glands, hormones, stress are all likely to work together to cause acne. Not everyone with acne will experience breakouts on the body, but those with acne on other parts of the body usually always have face acne as well. Often, the face can clear up, but the acne will reappear, or continue on the body. It can be frustrating and relentless at time.
As a result, acne of the body takes its emotional and psychological tole. People are restricted to hiding their bodies under clothes that cover us from neck to toe. Men avoid taking their shirts off, swimmers forgo the pool or beach, women avoid tank tops and revealing backless shirts. Teenagers especially suffer ridicule and embarrassment. The torment they must endure in locker rooms and gymnasiums is unbearable.
There are some measures we can take to minimize acne of the body. Be sure to shower after exercising. Sweat combined with the plugged oil in the pores absolutely make acne worse. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, and drink lots of water. Nutrition and hydration is the best prevention for body acne. Avoid stress if at all possible. Stress releases hormones that will again, make the acne worse.
The clothing we wear and the gear we use can aggravate acne of the body. Tight clothing, straps of backpacks and handbags rub on skin causing further irritation from friction. It’s best to avoid sources of friction when you’re trying to heal body acne. Wear loose fitting clothing of natural fiber. Stay clear of backpacks and over the shoulder bags. Change your clothes frequently using freshly laundered items. Bacteria that makes acne worse is notorious for harboring in dirty clothing.
Mild body acne often responds to good daily skin care, over-the-counter treatments, or home remedies. Generally over-the-counter medication all have the same active ingredients with a little variation. The can come it a variety of applications and strength, so you can pick and choose what ever think may work best. Home remedies also work remarkably well. Many such as honey mixed with cinnamon, garlic oil or toothpaste are time honored remedies. It doesn’t hurt to experiment. If the over-the counter creams don’t work, then try a home remedy.
Getting rid of body acne is not hard, and the solution you choose is a matter of choice. Sometimes it may be a process of trial and error. However, since there are so many acne fighting products to choose from, a remedy can be quickly found. Just remember, as with facial acne, it takes time to control body acne. Be patient. It may take any were from a few days to a couple of months for acne to clear up. Fortunately, most cases of acne can be successfully cleared with a little time and without a lot of effort.