How to Treat And Prevent Acne in The Armpits
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| how to treat and prevent acne |
Acne is a skin problem that seems trivial, but is actually quite annoying. These small reddish nodules do not only occur on the face, but also in other areas of the body that are rarely noticed by people, such as in the armpits.
So, what causes acne underarms and how to get rid of them?
Causes of acne on the armpits
treat itchy armpits
Just like acne on the body and face, underarm pimples are in the form of reddish bumps that are painful to the touch. In fact, sometimes the pimple on this invisible area can discharge pus when squeezed.
Generally, underarms have thin and smooth skin. The skin on the folds of the arms also contains sweat glands and hair follicles that can become clogged. As a result, underarms can also be attacked by boils, acne, and other skin problems.
There are various factors and habits that cause acne on the armpits, namely as follows.
• Friction between the skins of clothing causes skin inflammation and irritation.
• Ingrown hair.
• The skin on the armpits is injured as a result of shaving or waxing.
• Infected hair follicles (folliculitis).
Some of the causes of acne above usually do not cause serious symptoms and problems. However, there is one cause of underarm acne that you need to be aware of, namely hidradenitis suppurativa.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a condition characterized by pimple-like bumps or cysts. The disease, which is often mistaken for common acne problems, often occurs in areas of the skin that also touch the skin, such as the armpits, groin and upper thighs.
If you are worried whether the pimples that appear on the armpits are related to certain conditions, you should consult a dermatologist. That way, you can choose acne treatment according to the cause
How to get rid of acne on the armpits
Generally, acne will go away on its own within a few days. During this process, it is recommended that you do not pop or squeeze the pimples yourself to let the fluid out.
Squeezing pimples, especially in the armpits, can cause the bumps to become inflamed and the infection to spread. As a result, new pimples appeared. Here are some ways you can treat underarm acne.
Use of acne medications
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| Acne medications |
One quite effective way to treat underarm acne is to use acne medication, both over-the-counter and from a doctor's prescription.
Over-the-counter acne medications are usually the first choice for treating mild to moderate acne. This drug is also available in various forms, namely oral and topical drugs (gels, creams, and ointments).
The way this drug works is generally to kill acne-causing bacteria, suppress excess oil production, and remove dead skin cells. Some of the active compounds commonly found in acne medications are:
Benzoyl peroxide,
• salicylic acid,
Glycoic acid,
• lactic acid,
• sulfur, and
• retinol.
Some of the compounds above are usually quite effective for types of acne such as whiteheads, papules, and pustules that are not yet inflamed.
Antibiotics
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| Acne antibiotics |
If underarm acne doesn't get better, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in combination with other medications. Generally, antibiotics and roaccutane are given to patients with persistent acne.
In addition, the doctor will also prescribe other drugs according to the cause being experienced. If there are no changes, other medical measures, such as photodynamic therapy, may be needed to treat underarm acne.
Compress the armpits
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| Armpits Illustrations |
For those of you who feel pain in the armpit with acne, you should compress the area with warm water or ice.
Warm compresses of water help remove oil and dirt that clog pores that trigger acne underarms. Meanwhile, applying ice can help relieve the swelling and redness, which can help reduce pain.
How to compress the armpits
• Compress the pimples under the armpits for one minute (2-3 days).
• Hold the cold compress on the pimple for one minute or two times a day.
• Repeat as needed if acne prone skin hurts.
Choose a treatment product that doesn't trigger acne
One of the factors that can trigger acne underarms is the use of deodorants that clog your pores. If you feel that the care product used is the mastermind of this skin disease, stop using it immediately.
Instead of using ingredients that trigger acne, you can choose products that are safer and usually labeled:
• does not clog pores,
Non-comedogenic (does not cause blackheads),
Non-acnegenic (does not cause acne),
• oil-free
How to prevent acne on the armpits
Just like how to prevent acne in other parts, there are a number of habits that need to be considered so that your armpits are no longer attacked by acne as below.
1. Wear loose clothing
The friction between the skin and tight clothing can cause skin irritation, which can lead to pimples appearing in the armpits. In addition, this also causes the area to become more humid and sweaty because it is difficult for air to enter.
Therefore, try to wear loose, sweat-absorbing clothing to prevent infection and irritation. Don't forget to wear clean clothes and wash them regularly.
2. Do not touch the armpits often
Not only popping pimples, too often touching the underarm skin, especially with dirty hands, can cause acne. The reason is, bacteria and oil in dirty hands can move to the skin of the armpits and cause infection.
From now on, avoid touching parts of the body that are prone to acne, such as the face or underarms, without washing your hands first.
3. Immediately take a shower after exercising
Exercise certainly makes the skin sweat and is more susceptible to bacteria. Therefore, it is recommended that you shower immediately after exercising so that you can flush out acne-causing bacteria in your armpits.
Try to scrub gently. You can apply soap with your fingertips and rinse it off with warm water.
If you can't shower right away, try changing your workout clothes and wiping your acne-prone skin with a clean towel.