What is the meaning of a pimple on the chin? How do I get rid of them when they keep occurring on my chin, neck, and jawline?
In some cases, these zits can be very itchy, painful, deep and huge. Hormonal imbalances and excessive sebum are the major causes of breakouts on chin, neck, forehead, cheeks, and jawline. Other reasons may include certain medications, genetic etc.
We have discussed the whole issue including causes, their remedies and much more.
What do they mean?
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The occurrence of pimples on the chin or rather a face can reveal the status of the general internal health of an individual. Dr. Wang Zheng Hu highlights that the location of acne pimples on the face can provide an indication of the underlying causes.
In many cases, these spots may reveal hormonal imbalances as well as gynecological matters. Chinese face mapping theories have linked kidney, lungs, small intestine and liver problems with chin breakouts. Other than the failure of internal body organs, there are other general causes that may trigger them. Below are the factors that can cause these zits:
Causes
Pimples may start to show up some few weeks before they could actually explode into breakouts. They develop when pores are blocked with excess sebum and dead skin cells, which then attract bacteria invasion. This alerts body immune system influencing their formation.
It should be noted that pimples on the face might affect both males and females, children as well as adults. The causes of acne breakouts on the chin are somewhat the same though some triggers may be unique for females. The causative factors may also vary with age but slightly. Discussed below are the causes as well s for those around the mouth:
1). Hormonal imbalance in the body
Hormonal fluctuation in your body is one of the prime cause. How does hormonal imbalance influence formation? Well, certain hormones such as androgen stimulate oil-producing glands in the body to secrete excess oils which can clog the pores hence contributing to acne formation as pores get clogged.
Those associated with hormonal imbalance usually occur in different locations of your body more so the face.
Some of the factors that influence body hormonal disorder include ovulation (is linked to Polycystic ovarian syndrome), childbirth, breastfeeding, pregnancy, puberty, and menopause. Hormonal pimples are usually huge, itchy and occur alongside some pain.
2). Shaving
Shaving, waxing as well as threading in men can sprung razor bumps. These bumps on the chin are the end result of poor shaving procedures. Some of the poor techniques that can result in these bumps include shaving the wrong direction, shaving using blunt tools e.g. blunt razors, wrong shaving creams, poor after-shaving care and so forth.
All these factors can lead to skin irritation during shaving and hence formation of red chin bumps. Those who have thick hair can have the chin zits extending to other parts such as cheeks, jawline and neck area.
3). Poor lymphatic drainage system
Poor lymphatic system means that your body cannot do away with toxins in your body. The build-up of such toxins in your body especially around jaws can trigger acne on your chin, neck, and jaws.
When they having this root, they are often the ones or rather the cystic ones that can also be on, cheeks, neck, jawline, and sides of the mouth. These places have the lymph vessels running very close to the skin surface.
4). Stress
Some of the observation made by medical experts have shown that stress and acne breakout are related. Research has have revealed that stress and depression can significantly acne in various parts of the body.
To find the underlying cause of this, I want us to acknowledge that, sebum producing cells have what we call stress receptors, therefore, stress can surge the level of insulin, a secretion that can lead to irritation and hence breakout.
One is likely to experience breakouts on chin around mouth if he/she leaves a life full of stress. Despite the fact that stress can trigger them anywhere on the body, some levels of usual or normal stress are not enough to cause acne breakouts.
5). Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating due to exercise or harsh climatic conditions can trigger spots or bumps. How does sweat trigger these blemishes? You should get it all together that, accumulation of sweat on the skin facilitates the growth of acne-causing bacteria, which react with the body immune system to produce acne. The most known type of acne that related to sweating is pityrosporum folliculitis
To prevent the accumulation of sweat on the skin is to make sure that you take bath after sweating.
6). Poor hygiene
Another factor that can bring about ‘acne storm’ is poor personal hygiene. This can potentially aggravate and not cause the conditions. Poor hygienic can enhance the build-up of sebum, dead skin cells and dirt. The expected result will be clogged pores that will influence the eruption.
There are several unhygienic behaviors that can contribute to the transfer of sebum and acne bacteria to an individual`s chin area. Such behaviors include:
- Supporting chin with dirty hands
- Holding cellphones with your chins as you do other tasks
- Failure to wash your face regularly. This enhances accumulation of sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells on your chin skin or other body parts
- Application of second-rate or oil-based body make up products that can clog your skin pores. “Oily lipsticks, lip balms, and glosses sometimes contain ingredients that promote acne on chin” [Medlicker.com]
7. More causes
- Genetics can also influence their occurrence (hereditary acne)
- Excessive smoking and drinking can also lead to several skin disorders including in this area
- Eating junk and spicy foods. Remember the skin usually react to what you consume. Chin zits can be as a result of acidic lycopene contained in the spicy foods. In addition, regular consumption of dairy foods can also lead to chin breakouts.
- Chin acne breakout can also be due to herpes and HIV infections, rosacea, ringworms infections, keratosis pilaris, moles, warts and boils.
NOTE: due to the fact that breakouts in this area have got many triggers, it is always a good idea to see your dermatologist for right and proper diagnosis and medication.
Further characteristics
Small, hard ones below your chin
Normally, pimples can have different shapes, sizes as well as textures. For instance, they can be small, big, tender, round, irregular or hard.
Small and hard ones may mean a lot. They can indicate small fatty cysts or condition called keratosis pilaris (small bumps or chicken skin) or other types bumps. These small hard bumps commonly occur under the chin. They are always not painful and non-itchy.
Big or huge ones
If you have big zits, it is likely to be cystic acne, which is caused by mainly hormonal imbalances.
Itchy and painful ones
Though some people normally experience non-itchy and non-painful, we must understand that the opposite is also valid i.e., can be very itchy and painful.
Persons who suffer from large, red and painful chin breakouts may have fallen a victim of what is known as cystic acne. This is a large or huge acne that occurs deep under the skin.
Cystic acne this part can is always deep, tender and red chin bump filled with pus. It can be itchy and very painful. What is very important to note in this case is that popping this large and painful chin bumps can lead to marks or acne scars. Serious intervention or medication should be bestowed upon these troublesome bumps.
Can babies have them?
Baby acne are the small white pimples appearing on the baby cheeks, chin and sometimes forehead and bottom of a newborn. The skin around affected area may be red. Healcure.org indicates that “Some parents have reported instance during teething as well as in younger or much older infants”
You should also get it clear that this problem is common and usual among preteens and does not mean that the baby will have an acne problem in future. This acne type on babies can sometimes be confused with a condition like keratosis pilaris so, it is, therefore, necessary to see your skin specialist for proper diagnosis and medication.
Treatment, remedies, and preventions
There are many ways to deal with these zits ranging from home remedies to use of creams and other prescribed medications. Here are some of the ways to deal with these zits.
a), Application of topical acne creams, gels, and lotions
Chin can be treated effectively using both prescribed and over the counter medications. Topical treatments can only be applied to bumps without open sore otherwise the contribution will be insignificant. Topical treatment which is commonly used to treat chin pimples include the following:
- Acne lotions containing benzoyl acid and triaz
- Acne creams containing salicylic acid, Azelaic acid, and tretinoin
- Gels such as retinoids
Caution! Be careful while selecting acne creams, some of these creams can be irritating especially for those having sensitive skin
b). Antibiotics
Both oral and topical antibiotics can be used to cure acne. They help to combat acne-causing bacteria. Antibiotics can be presents over the counter or with the doctor`s prescription.
Many of oral antibiotics are available with a prescription. For serious or severe cases, a type of antibiotic called Isotretinoin can be prescribed. Actually this kind of medication is employed where other types of medication have proved to be less effective.
Isotretinoin is a strong medication that can cause severe side effects i.e. some women using this therapy may permanently be barren or suffer other serious effects.
c). Stress management
This may sound dull but believe me, this is one of the techniques that can help to limit breakouts that have familiar root (caused by stress). As we mentioned before, stress can surge the levels of some hormones that can contribute their formation.
Some of the therapies that have been identified to relieve stress include massage, music, healthy diet, positive attitude and regular exercise.
d). Hormonal acne treatment
Hormonal acne treatment involving birth control medication have been highly rated to be the best anti-androgen therapy. Birth control medication can normalize the level of sex hormones that usually influence the formation of body ance and hence impede their formation.
e). Proper diet
Up to here, there is enough evidence to prove that pimples management depend a lot on your diet. Eating the right food and wrong food for your diet is very fundamental in managing acne. Below are the best selections for a proper diet:
- Low glycemic foods
- Avoid dairy products, sugary and fermented foods
- Fatty food such as French fries and potato crisps are just but bad choice
- Make sure in your diet you include legumes, grains, fruits, green leafy vegetables, Vitamin A and E, Minerals, and zinc
- Don’t forget cashews, seafood, beef, lentils, turkey and pumpkin seeds
You should note that smooth and healthy skin begins with proper diet.
f). Good personal hygiene
Maintaining high standards of hygiene is very crucial since this help to reduce or stop the accumulation of sweat, dead skin cells, sebum, and dirt on your skin. Make sure you take regular shower, don’t touch your chin using dirty hands, regularly wipe your cellphones and cleanse musical instrument that can touch your chin when you use them. Rinsing your face using soft water is also advisable since they cannot clog the skin pores.
Don’t share things like pillows especially with partners having oily skin. Avoid using oil-based skin care products, use only those labeled noncomedogenic. Above all, make sure you observe general hygiene to limit the risk of suffering acne.
g). Application warm compresses
Some of the deep, blind pimples may be hell to treat. When they are squeezed or popped, one may end up having large, painful and swollen bump on the affected area. Warm compresses can be effective for such cases.
The procedures involve applying a warm or hot compress using a wet piece of cloth. The temperature of the compress should be relative not to burn your skin. Hold the warm compress on the bumps and leave it there for few minutes. The procedure should be repeated many times in a day until such a time when the bump will form ahead ready to be popped.
Once acne vulgaris and blind zits are drawn to the surface, they can be easily treated but when they stay under the skin, they will still remain itchy and painful.
h). Natural treatment
Pimples on the chin or on other parts of the body can be perfectly treated using natural home remedies especially when they prove not to be more severe. Below are some of the natural treatments that can be used to cure mild cases:
- Application of cider vinegar
- Tea tree oil therapy
- Application of honey and aloe vera
- More home products include toothpaste, garlic, cinnamon, egg white, papaya, orange peel paste e.t.c
Many of this home products can be used to make wonderful scrubs, strip, and mask that can effectively treat or prevent pimples on the body (including those on chin)
In conclusion, we want to put it clear that factors causing acne on other parts of the body can as well trigger this part of the face.
Again, these zits can extend to cheeks, jawline, neck and even forehead. Pimples should not be picked or popped.
See you doctor when you cannot handle them using OTC acne products or home remedies. Make sure you bring to the attention of your doctor, in case they won’t go away however how mild they may seem to be they can be a symptom of serious internal body disorder e.g. kidney or liver failure!
List of references
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71702.php
- http://medlicker.com/1117-pimples-on-chin