Neck acne: causes, treatments, prevention

Acne is a common skin condition that affects up to 50 million Americans each year. The acne of the neck, which involves eruptions on the skin around the neck and hair, is often part of this wider pattern. Almost half of people with facial acne also have eruptions on the upper body, including neck, chest, shoulders and back.

The acne of the neck can appear in the form of white points, black dots, red bumps (papules), pimples filled with pus (pustules) or deeper lumps such as cysts or nodules. You may notice the eruptions of your hair, under your jaw or at the back of your neck. Some places are small and painless, while others cause swelling and feel painful. The acne of the neck can be occasional or chronic (sustainable).

Acne occurs when the skin does too much sebum (oil). This additional oil obstructed pores, small openings where hair grows. If your skin does not properly lose dead cells, cells mix with oil and block pores more. Bacteria, yeast or fungi can also develop inside obstructed pores and cause redness, swelling, pus and pain.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing acne, including age, hormone levels, family history, lifestyle and the environment.

Internal factors

Internal factors affect the amount of oil that your skin produces, how your pores react to accumulation and how your skin reacts to inflammation. Some factors include:

• Age and sex: Acne is more common in adolescents and adult women.
• Genetic: If your parents had acne, you might also have it more likely to have it.
• Hormonal changes: Changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause can increase oil production.
• Health conditions: Certain conditions, as polycystic ovary syndrome (SOPK), can contribute to acne. The SOPK is a hormonal imbalance that affects people with ovaries and often causes excess oil and rashes.

Some drugs can cause internal effects that trigger or worsen acne. These include some:

Lifestyle factors

These lifestyle factors can increase your chances of developing neck acne:

• Chronic stress, which disrupts hormones and increases oil production
• A diet rich in sugar, dairy or chocolate products
• Lack of sleep, which raises stress and inflammation
• Too much screen time, which can increase stress

External factors

External triggers that can cause or worsen eruptions include:

• Air pollution that irritates the skin
• Friction of tight necklaces, helmets, straps or clothes
• Hot and humid weather that increases oil and perspiration
• Do not wash your neck after perspiration or use of hair products
• Telephones or headset cords that touch your neck and transport bacteria
• Shaving with a dull razor or against the grain
• Hair products and waxy skin care, which can clog pores

See a health care provider if your neck acne is painful, widespread, deep or does not improve with over -the -counter treatments (OTC) after a few months. Signs of infection, such as pus, heat or swelling, also require medical care. You can consider seeing a dermatologist, a doctor specializing in skin conditions.

Your supplier will probably examine your skin and ask you about your medical and family history. They can stamp your skin to exclude infection or other conditions, and order laboratory tests, especially if they suspect a hormonal imbalance. These steps help guide the treatment, depending on the type and severity of your acne.

The treatment of the acne of the neck focuses on cleaning the eruptions, the softening of discomfort and the prevention of scars. Light cases often respond to skin care and over -the -counter products. Acne more severe or hormone -related may require prescription drugs or office procedures.

Skin care and over -the -counter options

Constant skin treatments can help improve light neck acne. Start with these steps:

• Apply a hot compress 10 to 15 minutes before washing to reduce swelling and loosen the accumulation
• Wash your neck twice a day with a soft and non-comedogenic cleaner (GOErage)
• Use an oil -free sunscreen and a moisturizer after cleaning

Overwhelming products can also help treat mild to moderate acne. These come in cleaners, creams, gels, patches and punctual treatments. Start with one or two products to see how your skin reacts. Look for active ingredients such as:

• Benzoyl peroxide:: Kill causal bacteria to acne and reduces inflammation
• Different (adapter): A topical retinoid (on the skin) which helps prevent obstructed pores
• Glycolic acid: Exfolie slowly and can fade
• Hydrocolloid patches: Draw liquid and protect the healing pimples
• Salicylic acid:: Leads pores and helps eliminate dead skin cells
• Sulfur: Dry buttons and reduces oil
• Tea tree oil: Has light antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

Medical prescriptions and treatments

If over -the -counter treatments do not work, your supplier may recommend prescription drugs. These may include higher versions of over-the-counter ingredients or drugs that target bacteria, reduce inflammation and help erase obstructed pores. Topical examples include:

• Cléocine (clindamycin): A topical antibiotic that kills bacteria
• Fincea (Azélaic acid):: Kill the acne causal bacteria, leads pores, calms inflammation and fades dark spots
• Different (adaptalène) or retina-a (trétinoin): Retinoids that lead to pores and reduce inflammation
• Winlevi (Clarcoterone):: A cream that blocks the effects of hormones on the skin

The examples of oral prescription (taken by mouth) include:

• Antibiotics or antifungal: Reduce bacteria or acne fungi
• Hormonal treatments: Hormonal birth control or Aldactone (Spironolactone) help regulate acne linked to hormone
• Retinoids: Drugs like accutanium (isotretinoin) reduce the oil glands and prevent obstructed pores

For serious cases, providers can recommend a combination of therapies, such as retinoids, benzoyle peroxide and antibiotic, to target several causes at the same time.

Office procedures

A dermatologist can recommend these office procedures to treat deep and painful acne or reduce scars:

• Chemical peels: Lead pores and helps to fade dark marks
• Laser or light therapy: Target the oil glands and bacteria
• Manual drainage: Suppresses the liquid from painful cysts
• Micro-Aiguille or Resurfacing: Improves skin texture and treats acne scars
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT): Uses light -activated drugs to reduce oil production
• Steroid injections: Quickly narrows large and inflamed thrusts

Emerging and alternative therapies

Researchers are developing and studying new and alternative acne treatments to provide better long -term results with fewer side effects. Some treatments are still at the start or are promising but need more research. Examples include:

• Acupuncture: Use thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body
• Arazlo (tazarotene): A new, more irritating retinoid lotion
• ASC40 (denifanstat): Oral drug that can reduce oil production
• Cannabinoid creams: Made from compounds found in cannabis plants; These creams can reduce inflammation and oil production
• Natural remedies: Ingredients such as manuka honey, the Vitex and the bee venom

You can help prevent neck acne by following these tips:

• Adjust your diet if you are bursting after eating sugar or dairy products
• Avoid tight necklaces or equipment that imprisoned heat and sweat
• Choose hair products and non -comedogenic or oil -free skin care
• Frequently wash pillowcases and towels and training clothes after each use
• Wash your hair and hair root every day

Untreated neck acne can cause scars, hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and infection. You are more likely to develop scars or dark spots if you have darker skin, frequent thrusts or moderate to severe acne. Starting treatment early and avoiding picking or compression can help reduce your risk of these complications.

Acne can also cause emotional distress, affect your self -esteem and increase your risk of anxiety or depression.

Neck acne occurs when oil, perspiration, dead skin cells or products obstruct your pores or irritate your skin. It often appears with acne on your face or back and can go from light to severe. Washing regularly, avoiding heavy products and managing sweat can help prevent eruptions.

Treatments may include soft cleaning, over -the -counter products, prescription drugs or dermatologist’s office procedures.