Purulent acne on the head - what to do?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

As a result of disruption of the sebaceous glands, a skin disease occurs. Most often it is acne. They can appear anywhere. The sebaceous glands suddenly and unexpectedly begin to produce an excess amount of secretion. Dead skin cells are mixed with excess sebum. As a result, a plug is formed that blocks the duct of the sebaceous gland. When bacteria enter the gland, an inflammatory process begins. First, a small nodule protrudes above the skin, then a white head appears, filled with purulent contents.

Why do acne on the head appear?

Unpleasant rashes in the form of pimples on the head do not force their owners to immediately begin to fight them. After all, they are hidden under the hair and are not visible to others. However, the strongest discomfort makes you think about the source of the occurrence and the methods of treatment.

Among the first reasons are various hormonal disorders that provoke the sebaceous glands to produce excessive secretions.

The main function of the skin glands is thermoregulation and water repellency. During normal functioning, they produce special substances that protect the skin. The secreted oil is a natural lubricant for hair and skin, giving it elasticity and healthy appearance.

The main factors for the appearance of acne on the head:

• Hormonal disruptions;
• Improper nutrition;
• Hereditary features of the skin;
• Diseases of the stomach or intestines;
• Adrenal problems;
• Infectious diseases and the associated decrease in immunity;
• Synthetic hats that prevent air circulation;
• Non-systematic hair care;
• Hypersensitivity to hair dye;
• Excessive use of creams, ointments;
• Taking medications that cause metabolic disorders;
• Use of synthetic bedding;
• Stressful state.

There are two types of acne on the head:

• comedones;
• purulent acne.

Simple comedones do not cause much trouble. They appear due to obstruction of the sebaceous duct. These rashes do not itch or hurt. Under the scalp, comedones are often not noticed.

Inflamed or purulent pimples cause a lot of discomfort. They hurt, itch. After opening, the contents flow out onto the skin, drying out, forming crusts. Hair roots take on an unkempt appearance and emit a specific odor.

The first sign of acne is itching. After a day or two, red bumps of 1-2 millimeters in size appear between the hairs. These bumps hurt when touched. Then a purulent head appears at their top, which breaks out after a couple of days and the contents of the pimple flows out onto the scalp. Some pimples do not mature to form pus. A favorite place for localization of rashes are such places: the border of hair growth, the upper part of the forehead, temples.

How to treat inflamed acne on the head?

If single pimples appear under the hair, then you can deal with them at home.

First, you need to analyze your daily menu. If it includes strong coffee, flour products, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, various smoked products, then the reason may be this. The listed products activate the secretion of sebaceous secretions. By giving up the provocative diet, you can restore normal metabolism.

Secondly, you need to carefully study the instructions for the products used for hair care. Balm, conditioner, shampoo should clearly correspond to the hair type. Daily shampooing can dry out the skin, thereby forcing the sebaceous glands to work with a vengeance. But even a rare washing procedure negatively affects the condition of the scalp. Fat plugs close the pores and create a suitable breeding ground for bacteria.

With numerous rashes of purulent pimples, a dermatologist's consultation is necessary.

Home methods

At home, you can use proven universal methods.

Here is some of them:

• Using tar soap. Tar, which is part of the soap, cleanses the skin, improves blood circulation;
• Using antibacterial ointments. After washing, the ointment is applied to the painful areas and left overnight in the form of a compress. You can use ichthyol ointment, proven for decades;
• Baths with the addition of salt and sulfur relieve acute inflammation. Since pure sulfur is difficult to find, products containing sulfur and sea salt can be used;
• Treatment with camphor, salicylic alcohol or calendula tincture. A swab moistened with alcohol is used to blot directly inflamed acne;
• Rinsing with vinegar solution. You will need 100 grams of apple cider vinegar and the same amount of water. The washed hair is rinsed with this mixture. After ten minutes, rinse the head again in clean running water.

In folk medicine, the following recipe is known: mix 2 tablespoons of natural honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. The mixture is thoroughly mixed, heated in a water bath. The resulting honey-brown mask is applied to the hair roots and left for 20 minutes.

For rinsing, it is good to use infusions of chamomile, celandine, nettle, calendula, etc.

Tea tree oil is an excellent natural antiseptic. For the treatment of pustules, it is added to a hair mask or shampoo.

When treating inflamed pimples, in no case should they squeeze or comb them. An infection can get into the wound, and the disease will begin to progress.

Supporting procedures

When asked why the abscesses do not disappear, but on the contrary, their number increases, only the doctor will answer. He can also connect antibiotics in the form of ointments and tablets.

In addition to antibiotics, antifungal agents are prescribed. At the same time, it is recommended to take drugs that normalize the bowel function (Pancreatin, Bifidumbacterin, Linex, Hilak Forte, etc.).

Activated carbon is used to remove toxins from the body. Tinctures of valerian, motherwort, peony are taken as sedatives.

In addition to the listed methods, physiotherapeutic procedures are widely used: ultraviolet irradiation; iontophoresis cryotherapy, krill therapy.

Prophylaxis

The most effective prevention is caring for your body. First of all, you need to exclude or minimize smoked foods, strong tea and coffee, salty, spicy, fatty and sweet dishes. The menu must contain vitamins and fermented milk products.

An individual reaction to the chemical composition of hair products requires careful study of the annotations. If there is a predisposition to pustular diseases of the scalp, the selection of hair products should be especially careful. It is advisable to use pharmacy shampoos. Shampoo "Mycozoral" is considered effective. But it should be used no more than 2-3 weeks.

You need to wash your hair when its condition requires it. Frequent washing, as well as rare, can provoke the formation of acne. Each recurrence of abscesses contributes to hair loss and growth retardation in areas of inflammation.

Proper nutrition, walking in the fresh air, and exercising will help you achieve success in treating inflammatory pimples on the head.