Pimples on the back - development, causes and treatment

Blemishes on the back

Almost everyone knows pimples on the back. The majority of people with pimples on their faces also know the purulent pustules on their backs. No wonder: like the face, the back has more sebaceous glands per square centimeter than the rest of the body.

contents

• Blemishes on the back
• The most important facts - an overview
• Emergence of pimples on the back
• Causes of back pimples
• Medical treatment for back pegs
• literature

The most important facts - an overview

• Pimples on the back are common.
• During puberty, pregnancy, menopause and menstruation hormonal changes are usually the cause.
• Other factors include sweat, dead skin cells and dirt.
• Mild acne breaks out on the face, but moderate and severe acne also attacks the back.
• Showering, bathing and sauna help to prevent pimples on the back and to relieve an existing acne.
• In severe cases, fruit acid therapies and vitamin A supplements are recommended.

Emergence of pimples on the back

With acne on the back small red nodules form in the skin, the site feels thickened. It causes blackheads, as the output of sebaceous glands horny and the sebum jams. This shows up as a white point. If the horny layer tears open, the blackhead turns black. If bacteria are added, the whole thing ignites and the pimple blooms.

For pimples on the back, the treatment is very dependent on the causes. (Image: Voyagerix / fotolia.com)

Causes of back pimples

The pimples develop in the same way as in the face. The sebaceous glands are overactive and the excess sebum clogs the pores. In addition, dead skin cells are added and bacteria begin to multiply strongly. This leads to inflammation and so pimples arise. These are usually larger than in the face, as well as the skin pores on the back are larger. The reason for this is wrong diet, sometimes allergies, but more often a deranged hormone balance.

Clothes as a cause

Too tight clothing irritates the pores. Even in unwashed clothes with dried sweat that mixes with dead skin, bacteria multiply well and cause pimples. If you are wearing a backpack or leaning your back against a chair for a long time in the same position, the pressure and friction can exacerbate an existing acne. This is exacerbated by heat in bad exchange of air. Therefore, the risk of pimples on the back in winter is particularly great if you keep the thick sweater in the office. Problematic are synthetic materials such as polyester, which hardly allow air to pass through, while the sweat evaporates better under cotton. If the sweat does not evaporate, the pores clog, the sebum can not flow away - pimples are formed. The bacteria that live in sweat can cause these pimples to become inflamed and grow into bumps, pustules, papules and nodules.

acne

The pimpling skin disorder is called acne. Almost all adolescents suffer from it at times, as many adults. Cause are usually hormonal fluctuations. Often pustules, pimples and blackheads on the face. In contrast, acne on the back is less common. Every third affected person undergoes a medical treatment.

Acne vulgaris occurs during puberty, triggered by the changes in the hormonal balance during this phase of life. Boys are more affected than girls. Medical treatment leaves Acne vulgaris if it is not treated well, it usually disappears until the age of 25, but can also reach the age of fifteen.

The lightest form, the Acne comedonica, does not reach the back, but appears in the form of blackheads on the facial skin. The Acne papulopustulosa is characterized by blackheads and inflamed pimples. This moderate acne spreads on the face and back. The worst is the Acne conglobata. Here the face and back are equally damaged. The pimples develop into nodes, become inflamed and leave scars that reminiscent of pockmarks in healing.

Hormonal acne is also known to many people from their puberty. (Image: nenetus / fotolia.com)

allergies

Acne is also known as allergic reactions:

• the contact acne,
• the cosmetic acne,
• the chlorine acne,
• the doping acne,
• and the drug acne.

Allergic acne can be combated by avoiding or avoiding the substance that triggers the reactions. In a medical allergy test can be determined which substances trigger the allergic skin reaction.

The hormones

Mild and moderate acne is usually caused by the androgens, the male sex hormones, for example by testosterone. Women also produce them and they also trigger acne in women. However, as men produce it to a greater extent, this hormonal acne also occurs more frequently in them. However, in men, testosterone production increases until the mid-20s, while most acne cases are in puberty.

How come? These androgens boost the sebum production of the skin glands. Usually the sebum migrates over the pores to the outside. But during puberty, the production of horn material also increases and this now closes the exits for the excessively produced sebum. It builds up in the skin, where closed blackheads emerge. Through the horny layer shimmers then the whitish sebum. In women, the hormones fluctuate especially during pregnancy, menopause, stopping the birth control pill and during menstruation. In these times, acne often breaks out in women.

Other factors

Hormones, allergies and poor hygiene are not the only cause of acne on the back. Genetic engineering, psychological problems and stress can trigger acne or increase existing acne.

During sports activities, the right clothing is important so that it does not come to pimples on the back. ((Image: bernardbodo / fotolia.com)

Medicines and cosmetics

Even ingredients of medicines and fats in cosmetics can boost sebum production or clog pores.
Medicines that can cause pimples on the back include:

• cortisone,
• anabolic steroids,
• adrenocorticotropin,
• Psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants,
• neuroleptics,
• antibiotics,
• halogens,
• EGF receptor antagonists in cancer therapies,
• also vitamins B 2, B 6 and B 12.

Pimples back through sport

Stress increases the hormone cortisol, the skin becomes oily, and this promotes pimples on the back. Sport releases endorphins that reduce stress. At the same time sport leads to sweat, which is not a problem in itself. Sweating cools and detoxifies the body. But sweat, combined with dead cells and dirt, can also lead to pimples. Tight sportswear promotes such pimples in addition. You can avoid this by wearing air-permeable cotton clothing while exercising and taking a shower after exercising, preferably with a special soap that cleanses the impure skin.

Self-help with pimples on the back

There are several recommendations that you should take into account if you want to prevent pimples on the back and treat home-made inflamed skin pores with home remedies.

A sunbath does not help against pimples on the back, but worsens the symptoms. (Image: jokerpro / fotolia.com)

Bathing and showering

They prevent pimples on the back by eliminating sweat, dead skin and dirt when showering or bathing. Showering is better than bathing, because when showering always fresh water reaches the skin and the shower head looks like a soft brush. When bathing, an existing inflammation may shift. Therefore, you should always thoroughly take a shower after bathing.

Especially recommended are whole-body baths with essential oils of spearmint or peppermint. The menthol it contains is antiseptic and strengthens the immune system. Marigolds are effective against bacteria. However, you should wash off the essential oils after bathing because the oil layer can block the pores and thus the exits for the sebum.

back-brushing

Acne can develop very well on the back, as the back is poorly clean. Therefore use a special back brush, with this you can remove dried sweat and skin residue. Move the brush gently and do not rub the skin, because on irritated skin quickly pimples.

Beware of the "healing" sunbathing

The vernacular recommends sun to "dry out" pimples. Please do not try this. Long sun exposure worsens acne on the back and can even cause skin cancer. The back skin dries out, which in turn starts the fat production of the body. They sweat more, the pores clog, new pimples form. Sunscreens, sebum and the resulting free radicals caused by UV radiation cause the "Mallorca Acne", especially on the back.

Sauna for acne

When steaming, the steam softens the skin, opens the pores and cleanses them. Dead skin cells fall off. With the sauna, you prevent pimples. After taking a sauna you should shower immediately and wash off the sweat so that it does not clog your pores.

Sauna can help against pimples, but only if the sweat is showered afterwards. (Image: LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS / fotolia.com)

Medical treatment for back pegs

Every person sometimes has pimples on their skin and that is no cause for concern. However, you should go into a dermatological practice if your complexion suddenly worsens, with large pimples that inflame and cause pain. You should also be medically examined if you realize that they suffer from pimples mentally. Although the psychological burden of pimples on the back is less than that of a facial acne, some people are reluctant to visit a beach with pustules on their backs or to wear a wide neckline.

Express pimples?

Pimples on the back should not be expressed, as they can easily become infected. With very large pimples, you do not have to wait until they disappear on their own, but you can undergo expert cosmetic or dermatological treatment.

Fruit acids peeling

In case of severe pimple attack, a fruit acid peeling can be applied in dermatological practice. This tincture consists of concentrated fruit acid, which is applied to the skin on an outpatient basis. The acid inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause the acne and etches away the top layer of skin. You usually need several sessions at intervals of four weeks, each costing around 90 euros.

Dermatological ointments

These ointments contain vitamin A or azelaic acid and dry out the pimples. Be sure to adhere to the GP's instructions. These are aggressive agents that must not be overdosed. In severe cases, vitamin A tablets are also prescribed. These act on the bloodstream and dry the pimples from the inside out.

antibiotics

In severe acne is sometimes prescribed an antibiotic. This inhibits the inflammation and thus combats the acne from the inside. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)

literature

• William J. Cunliffe; Harald Pm Gollnick: Acne: Diagnosis and Therapy. 2004.