Mild to Red Severe Chest Pimples Causes and Cures

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Skin disorders can say a lot about our health. Presence of pimples on the chest can be an indication that something is not right. What the triggers them are and how can you get rid of them.

Pimples can occur anyplace in the body provided that the place has pores that secrete sebum which can plug the hair follicles. Their appearance in this area can cause an embarrassment and can force those affected to change the selections of clothing i.e. one may opt for clothing that would conceal these bumps.

Pimples normally occur on chest, face, back, bottom, thigh among other places. Though acne breakout is a condition that affects anybody, it is prevalent during puberty when the body begins to experience lots of hormonal changes. During this stage, the development of acne on the chest may be perceived usual but, victims should not sit back and wait for them to vanish of their own-they can be symptoms of certain diseases!

These zits can also be linked to genetics; actually, this may be the reason behind them trending in certain families. You should also note that if you face chronic or severe acne.

What causes chest pimples

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They occur when your skin sebaceous glands produce sebum which combines with dead skin cells to form a comedo. The comedo will then trap more oil and bacteria in the follicles. The immune system will react by sending white blood cells to fight the bacteria infection resulting in a pimple formation. So here are some factors that influence their occurrence:

1. Habitually plugged hair pores

Pimples show up when pores get clogged with a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. This is the main reason for blackheads and whiteheads too. Following this sentiment, excess sebum secretion will increase the chances of experiencing acne breakout on various parts of the body.

According to Proactiv.com.au, “once a follicle is plugged, however, acne bacteria multiply rapidly, creating the chemical reaction that results in inflammation of the follicle and surrounding skin.” The inflammatory response is what leads to the development of red, swollen and painful zits

Factors that may influence overproduction of sebum include hormonal imbalance, certain medications, and genetics among others.

2. Allergic reaction and skin inflammation

Allergic reactions to some substances such as perfumes, certain foods, some drugs or cosmetics can lead to skin inflammations that can trigger bumps that resemble pimples Some bacteria also causes skin inflammation when they invade plugged hair follicles leading to acne. Allergic reactions have a closer link to rashes and bumps having a varying degree of severity.

3. Digestive problems

You should watch out for digestive problems, they can this problem. Dairy product and foods having high index of glycemic can be the reason behind excess sebum production. Eat a well-balanced diet. In your diet include green, leafy vegetables and fruits. Give your back to fried foods and artificial appetizers

4. Certain medication

Some treatments such birth control medications usually trigger chest zits in some people. They have been linked to hormonal imbalances. Work with your doctor every time he/she prescribes you treatments linked to hormonal issues. This may call for hormonal acne treatment.

5. Tight and unbreathable clothing

Medical experts have proved that what we wear can induce acne. Wearing tight clothes can lead to improper thermoregulation, which may trigger red pimples on the chest. Such bumps can also show up under the breast. Tight clothing can also lead to skin inflammation especially those that are made of synthetic materials.

6. Hormonal changes

It should be noted that hormonal imbalance is one of the main cause. Hormonal imbalance influence oil-producing glands to give out excess oils increasing chances of pores clogging.

This is the reason why medical specialist quote that, teens common get acne due to hormonal variations during this stage (puberty). Similar hormonal imbalance can also be experienced during periods, pregnancy and menopause.

Zits from hormonal imbalances often resolve on their own onces your hormones balance is restored.

7. Certain diseases

As we have mentioned before, they can be symptoms of some diseases. The linked diseases in our case are reproductive diseases, immune deficiency diseases as well as uncompensated diabetes. These breakouts can also be triggered by cold-related diseases. So treating the causative diseases may be the best remedy.

8. Excess stress and depression

Stress and depression have been linked to many diseases especially those concerning skin. You should, therefore, response ensure you manage stress. For instance, get enough time to relax.

Usually, pimples caused by stress develop simultaneously on the chest and back along the spinal cord.

9. Poor personal hygiene

Lastly on our list, lack of attention personal hygiene also usually leads to the development of acne anywhere on the body. Dirt does not cause them but it can encourage infection as well as clogging of pores.

Red Swollen zits

Red, swollen acne also called inflammatory or cystic acne are formed when the pores are blocked and white blood cells are sent by your immune system to fight bacteria that are trapped in the plug.

Inflammatory acne spread when the hair follicle walls rupture leaking bacteria and sebum into the surrounding skin. The related acne breakout will be mild when this condition occurs near the skin surface. If it happens deep into the skin, then one will experience under the skin pimples i.e cystic large zits occurring deep in the skin.

Cystic acne are usually painful especially when the blood flow increases in the area delivering more fighters (the white blood cells) to fight the infection

Inflammatory acne can potentially leave behind scars or marks depending on how serious they are. They also have varying sizes, colors and levels tenderness. So here are the various types of inflammatory acne:

1. Papules

Papules are dome-shaped bumps usually pink or red in color. They don’t have pus and are painless. They can be painful when scratched or picked. They are slightly inflamed. Just like other acne types, they are formed when white blood cells fight the bacteria in clogged pores.

2. Pustules

Pustules develop when a plug is formed deep into the pores and trap sebum. Then white cells will be attracted to fight the infection. Pustules usually contain pus. Pustules have yellow or white pus with a red base.

3. Nodules

These are large, deep and painful zits or bumps. They are usually filled with blood and later with pus. They have the potential to stay underneath the skin for several weeks before they could eventually harden. These lumps are larger than pustules and papules and occur deep inside the skin. They are associated with deep pimple scars. They are considered to be severe forms of pimples.

4. Cyst

Cystic acne can be larger than nodules. They are very painful and are pus-filled. Just like nodules, they form deeper inside the skin. This type acne is very prevalent in youths and can trend in some families. They can result in permanent acne scars. It is a severe form of acne and needs doctor’s attention.

Treatments

1. Over the counter acne treatment

There are several of the acne treatment products that can be very effective for clearing chest acne. Most of the elements contained in these products act by killing the involved bacteria and hindering the production of body oils.

They are available in the form of lotions, creams, gels, pads, and soaps. Some of them i.e. Retin- A acts as chemical peels hence are very appropriate for clearing whiteheads and blackheads. Here are the ingredients:

Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic Acid
Retin-A
Sulphur
Azelaic Acid

The ingredients above are available in varying concentrations so consult your doctor what concentrations will be ideal for your skin type.

2. Prescribed Treatments

For more severe cases of acne such as nodule cystic acne, your doctor`s intervention may be required. So read below to see some of the medication your doctor may prescribe for your chest acne:

a. Topical acne treatments

The treatments are applied to the affected skin to kill the bacteria and also help unclog the pores. They include adapalene, tretinoin and more. They may have some side effects over your skin so you have to research on which product will suit your skin before you use it.

b. Oral medications

Oral treatment involves oral antibiotics. It would be better if the oral treatments used alongside topical treatments. Oral antibiotics have stronger side effects and therefore should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers

c. Laser and light therapies

This treatment is very appropriate for under the skin pimples since it can reach such deeper bumps without affecting the top skin layers. It kills the acne bacteria and also limits the production of sebum by constricting the sebaceous glands.

d. For severe cases

In cases of severe acne, such as cysts and nodules, doctors may use isotretinoin. This is a stronger medication that can have severe side effects.

Drainage and extraction procedures can also be used to get rid of large acne cyst. It will also limit scarring that may be as a result.

Homemade treatments

Below are few tested and proved natural acne treatments you can try. They will help cure mild cases. They can be applied in forms masks, scrubs and strips

Mustard Powder With Honey
Tomato Mask
Essential Oil Bath
Clay Mask With Tea Tree/Lavender Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Lemon Juice
Eggs

Prevention

Pimples on the chest can be prevented and treatments and lifestyle changes. So here are some of the tips we can consider to reduce breakouts:

Regulating our diet i.e. limiting the consumption of fats
Avoid popping or bursting them since this can worsen the infections
Using skin care products that cannot clog our pores
Keeping the chest hair short to prevent sebum and dead skin cells from building up in the hair
We should usually wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing
We must maintain good standards of personal hygiene
We should also not touch our pimples using dirty hands

When to see a Doctor

After trying home remedies and over the counter acne treatment products and this acne type still persists, please see your doctor. Again you should consult your doctor when your experience chronic zits.

References

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