5 Things That May Be Causing Your Recurring Rash: Sanford Dermatology:

You don’t need us to tell you that rashes are patches of irritated, red, itchy, burning, flaky patches of skin that make you want to hide your skin from the world., but you may needs us to help you get rid of them, especially if they keep returning. Some rashes have a tendency to pop up again and again — it’s enough to make you throw in the towel on skin care. 

That’s where we come in. 

Our team of dermatology experts at Sanford Dermatology knows how frustrating recurring rashes can be. Fortunately, we have years of experience treating them. But we also know that providing the best treatments is only half of the battle. We want you to be fully informed about what’s happening with your skin, so we’ve highlighted five of the usual suspects behind your recurring rash.

1. Allergens and irritants

Allergens and irritants are one of the most common causes of recurring rashes. What’s worse, you can find rash inducers just about anywhere. Peanuts on your plate, pollen in the air, and prescriptions in your medicine cabinet are just some of the threats you should be aware of. 

We can help you identify your triggers, so you can stop recurring rashes in their tracks. 

2. Infections and underlying illnesses

As with allergens and irritants, many infections, fungi, and underlying illnesses can trigger recurring rashes. Some of the most common rash-causing conditions include viral infections like shingles, autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, and bacterial infections like cellulitis.

Fortunately, illness-related rashes subside and stop returning once you’ve dealt with what’s causing them. 

3. Sweat and heat

Heat rashes crop up when you sweat a lot or are exposed to extreme heat. They tend to develop in the areas of your body that experience friction, such as the folds of your skin, underneath your breasts or near your groin, and here’s why.

Below the surface of your skin, you have lots of little sweat glands. When heat blocks those glands, your sweat gets trapped under your skin, and irritating bumps start to form. 

4. Stress

Stress causes your heart to beat faster, your mind to race, and your stomach to turn. It can also cause your skin to break out in a rash. Some people get a rash called hives whenever they get stressed out. 

Hives show up on the face, neck, chest, or arms, usually as raised red bumps or large welts. It’s not uncommon for hives to become itchy, feel tingly, or cause a burning sensation. They typically resolve after a few hours. 

5. Weather extremes

Some seasons are so harsh we’ve named a rash after them — and winter is among the most notorious. Winter rashes occur when your skin loose too much moisture due to cold, dry air. The rash usually involves itching, inflammation, and flaky patches of skin. Typically, winter rashes only show up in certain areas, such as your hands and arms, but some experience a widespread rash.

What now?

Maybe you’ve identified what’s causing your rash, or maybe you’re not even close to figuring out your skin issues. Either way, it’s time to head to our office. We encourage you to come in anytime you have a rash, especially if it’s recurring. 

Our first step is to determine what’s causing it before we develop an action plan. We pride ourselves on being rash specialists and are able to uncover the underlying issue quickly. 

Depending on your needs, we may recommend the following:

• Antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications
• Clinical-grade sensitive skin moisturizers
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
• Topical or oral corticosteroids
• Antihistamine medications 
• Anti-itch creams 

Big or small, itchy or not, there’s no reason to let a recurring rash go unchecked. Call or click to schedule a rash evaluation directly through the online booking system or over the phone at your most convenient office location.

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8 Common Types of Rashes

Is your skin itchy, dry, blistering, or red? Do you have rashes that come and go? You may have one of these common skin conditions.

Medically Reviewed

By Moira LawlerMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MD

Reviewed: December 21, 2020

Itchy? It may be time to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

iStock

Skin conditions can be hard to identify. Is it dermatitis or hives? A breakout or an infection? Because rashes may need to be treated a certain way, if you don’t know what you have, you may inadvertently be making it worse. Whether it’s a minor nuisance or an epidermis nightmare, there are ways to soothe your skin — once you know what you’re dealing with.

“With most skin conditions, you either have a genetic predisposition to them or not,” says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “They can be exacerbated by stress — either emotional, such as meeting your future in-laws, or environmental, such as an allergen. ”

Some skin conditions (athlete’s foot, for instance) can be cured, but most are chronic or recurring. They can be triggered by anything from weather (as in the case of atopic dermatitis) to perfume (as with contact dermatitis). Many of these rashes come and go.

RELATED: 7 Types of Eczema and Photos of What They Look Like

Read on to learn about eight common skin conditions and their symptoms and triggers. You’ll find photos of each, to assist in identification, as well as some simple soothing tips courtesy of experts. Remember: It’s important to see a doctor if you’re dealing with a concerning skin issue, especially if lifestyle and over-the-counter treatments don’t provide relief.

151

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Sergio Azenha/Alamy

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, and the terms are often used interchangeably to describe the same skin condition. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are often confused with those of psoriasis; but they aren’t the same. Both can cause red, raised, itchy patches of skin on the hands and scalp, but eczema tends to come with really intense itching, according to Penn Medicine. They’re also caused by different things. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, while eczema could be the result of genetic or environmental factors.

With eczema, “the barrier of your skin is damaged and you’re losing moisture,” says Katie Rodan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of Rodan + Fields based in Oakland, California. She compares the condition to a leaky roof: When you have eczema, “anything irritating and allergenic can enter [the skin] more easily, making you more prone to rashes and infections.”

About 20 percent of infants have eczema, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Many kids outgrow eczema, though it sometimes sticks around into adolescence or adulthood.

Commonly affected areas include the eyelids, elbows, hands, feet, knees, and ankles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Triggers for eczema include environmental factors, such as hot weather, according to Penn Medicine, or contact with certain products, such as chemicals or drying detergents, says Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “It is vital to wear gloves when working with chemicals and be sure to use a laundry detergent that is hypoallergenic and gentle on skin, like the Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin, Free & Clear laundry detergent,” she says.

Rash Rx

First, stop scratching!

“Eczema creates a vicious itch-scratch cycle,” Dr. Hirsch says. “The skin’s dryness [causes] itchiness, which makes you scratch. Scratching makes your skin thicker, which itches more.”

The Mayo Clinic and Hirsch recommend a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes:

• Use an anti-itch lotion, such as a topical steroid with 1 percent hydrocortisone, which is available over the counter. If over-the-counter products don’t work, a dermatologist can prescribe creams that control the itching and help repair the skin. But long-term use of steroid treatments isn’t recommended, because they can thin the skin.
• Choose mild soap that doesn’t include dyes or fragrances, and be sure to thoroughly rinse it off the body.
• Buy skin-care products that are unscented, not fragrance free. “Fragrance free means they’ve used a chemical to mask a scent, and those chemicals can be irritating,” Hirsch says.
• Avoid long, hot showers and instead take a bath with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal. Pat the skin dry afterward, and apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp. “If you put a thin layer on damp, not dry, skin, it will penetrate quickly,” Hirsch says.

RELATED: 6 Useful Apps and Devices for Managing Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis

152

Contact Dermatitis

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Contact dermatitis is a different type of eczema, triggered by physically touching something that irritates or causes an allergic reaction, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Intense itching, accompanied by a rash with fluid-filled blisters, is the hallmark of the disorder, according to AAD.

There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant, which is more common and occurs when your skin reacts to something chemical (like a perfume or detergent), and allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by a reaction to a substance, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common contact dermatitis triggers include nickel jewelry, hair dye, cosmetics, skin-care products, nail polish, formaldehyde, rubbing alcohol, and poison ivy.

“It is usually not immediate; it takes a few days for contact dermatitis to appear on your skin the first time around,” Dr. Davis says. “The second time, it may appear sooner.”

Rash Rx

For both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, use over-the-counter or prescription topical cortisone, Davis says.

“Unfortunately, there is no ‘cure’ for an irritant or allergic sensitivity, although some can improve with time,” says Lisa Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westmed Medical Group in Westchester, New York. Preventing contact dermatitis, however, can be simple: Avoid what’s making you break out — if you’re able to identify the culprit yourself, says the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Anthony says that’s not always easy.

Identifying an allergic reaction may require a test, in which a doctor applies a small patch with allergens on it to see if your skin reacts, per a study published in the July–August 2015 issue of Missouri Medicine.

If costume jewelry is the problem, here’s a quick fix: Paint clear nail polish or apply clear tape on the underside to create a barrier between it and your skin, the Mayo Clinic advises.

RELATED: A Comprehensive Eczema Glossary

153

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Warut Chinsai/Shutterstock

Like dandruff gone haywire, seborrheic dermatitis (sometimes called “scalp eczema”) is a fungus that typically crops up in oily areas such as the scalp, face, upper chest, and back, according to research published in Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

The study noted that it’s extremely common and affects about 12 percent of the population and up to 70 percent of infants in their first three months of life. It seems to be caused by yeasts belonging to the genus Malassezia, the authors wrote.

Rash Rx

Seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is often treated with over-the-counter dandruff shampoos with ingredients that reduce the skin’s fungal population, Anthony says. Look for shampoos with zinc, selenium, or ketoconazole, and leave the shampoo on the scalp for five minutes before rinsing, recommends Harvard Health Publishing. “Depending on your individual hair type, try to shampoo daily until the condition improves,” Anthony says. “For thicker scale, one can add mineral oil to soften and comb out stubborn flakes.”

If that doesn’t work, your doctor can prescribe stronger shampoos and medications.

Outbreaks on the face and body can be treated with topical corticosteroids or antifungal medications, notes the Cleveland Clinic

Try lifestyle changes too, including de-stressing tactics. Stress is one factor that can trigger seborrheic dermatitis, according to the AAD.

RELATED: How Stress Can Trigger Eczema and How to Avoid a Flare-Up

154

Fungal Infection

Jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm: These all belong to a family of infections known as tinea, involving fungus that thrives in warm, moist areas, such as in the groin, toes, and underarms, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“These warm, dark, moist areas create the perfect environment for fungus to breed,” says Crystal Murray Holmes, DPM, a podiatrist in Canton, Michigan, and an associate professor at the University of Michigan.

The symptoms depend on where on the body the infection appears, according to MedlinePlus. A red ring-shaped rash may be — you guessed it — ringworm, while athlete’s foot and jock itch appear as itchy, burning rashes on the skin.

How do you contract it? By coming into contact with an infected person or pet or infected surface, such as a communal shower floor, per MedlinePlus.

They can also be passed through things like shoes and towels, Anthony says. Fungus that causes jock itch, for example, thrives on damp towels and sweaty workout gear and is easily picked up in a locker room, MedlinePlus says.

Rash Rx

Your best bet for treating fungal infections are antifungal creams and oral medications, according to Cedars Sinai. Be sure to wash your hands before and after applying the creams to keep the fungus from spreading further.

Cedars Sinai recommends preventing infection by drying skin folds, feet, and the groin area well, and wearing clean, loose-fitting underwear. “Wear socks made of microfiber, which is designed to wick moisture away from the skin,” Holmes says.

Also, use flip-flops in public showers and around pools or other wet spots, and try to rotate through different pairs of shoes to minimize moisture and fungus buildup, advises Johns Hopkins Medicine.

RELATED: How Ringworm Spreads and How to Deal With It

155

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections can start small but grow into a big problem if left untreated. An untended wound, insect bite, or other break in the skin can allow bacteria to creep into your skin and fester, according to Merck and Co. The resulting infection can be the size of a tiny spot or can spread across the entire body, and the severity of the infection can also range from no big deal to life-threatening.

If it’s a small infection, an antibiotic ointment can be applied to the area to clear it up. But if it affects a larger area of the skin, oral or intravenous antibiotics may be needed, according to Merck and Co.

Unfortunately, the World Health Organization notes, overuse of antibiotics has created super-strains of bacteria that don’t respond to those drugs anymore.

“Because of antibiotic resistance, bacterial infections are becoming more virulent,” Dr. Rodan says.

In a worst-case scenario, the infection can get into the blood and be fatal. “People really do die of cuts,” Hirsch says.

Rash Rx

Your doctor will likely start with oral antibiotics, according to the nonprofit health system Fairview. Expedite your visit and see a doctor immediately if you spot yellow pus or foul-smelling drainage from a wound, increased redness and pain at the site of the wound, changes in color or size, red streaks in the skin surrounding the wound, or if you come down with a fever. Hirsch says those symptoms are cause for concern.

You can also prevent skin infections from developing by cleaning every cut or wound immediately with soap and water, and covering with a bandage, according to Merck and Co.

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156

Hives

Areeya Yodplob/Alamy

A mysterious, sometimes random skin condition that may come and go, hives (also known as urticaria) have many triggers, including certain foods (such as peanuts, eggs, nuts, and shellfish), extreme cold or heat, some medications and illnesses, and insect bites, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Genetics can also be to blame. “There can be a genetic component to hives where individuals are more prone to allergy, asthma, and eczema,” Anthony says.

In response to the trigger, the cells in your body release histamine, a chemical that makes the body go into inflammatory overdrive to get rid of the allergen, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Hives and swelling result as your body responds to the flood of histamines.

If hives are accompanied by swelling of the eyes, mouth, hands, feet, or throat, or difficulty breathing, you may have angioedema. “It is similar to hives, but it can be more severe and often affects the eyes and lips,” Anthony says. “In the most severe cases, internal organs such as the respiratory tract and gut can be involved.”

Rash Rx

Sometimes hives disappear on their own without any treatment, though applying a cold washcloth to the area can help soothe the skin, the Mayo Clinic says.

If not, try an over-the-counter oral antihistamine to reduce itching and swelling. Still not getting relief? See your doctor for an anti-inflammatory medication such as prednisone, advises the Mayo Clinic.

“Like all allergic skin reactions, each subsequent exposure can get worse” and may even be life-threatening, Rodan says.

Of course, the best remedy is prevention. Try to identify your trigger for hives and avoid it.

RELATED: What Are the Symptoms of Hives?

157

Herpes

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Though herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can be transmitted through sex, that’s not the only way the virus is passed between people, according to the CDC.

“At least 80 percent of us are exposed to the herpesvirus by the time we enter kindergarten,” Rodan says, thanks to shared toys, kisses from relatives, and slobbering, germy friends.

Our immune systems usually fight off the disease, but about 20 percent of people break out in sores, Rodan says.

Oral herpes, usually HSV type 1, is usually the culprit behind cold sores and originates during childhood through nonsexual contact, according to the CDC.

“Any close contact like kissing, sharing utensils, or using a department store lipstick tester can cause it to spread,” Hirsch says. But HSV type 1 can also be transferred to the genitals during oral sex, according to the CDC.

A herpes outbreak can be triggered by stress, illness, fatigue, and sun exposure, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Though it’s rare, laser and injectable procedures (such as lip filler) at a doctor’s office can also trigger outbreaks, Davis says.

Herpes infections tend to recur in the same spot on your body because the virus lives in the nerve beneath the skin, Davis says. “When it gets triggered back to skin, it’s within the same vicinity,” she says.

Rash Rx

HSV can be tricky to diagnose since it oftentimes looks like an allergic reaction, according to Cedars Sinai. Your doctor may take a virus culture, blood sample, or biopsy to confirm the presence of HSV.

There is no cure, but prescription antiviral medication like Valtrex can reduce the number of herpes outbreaks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taken in pill form, it can reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks.

A doctor can prescribe topical treatments, such acyclovir and hydrocortisone, to help lessen the symptoms, says the University of Michigan.

RELATED: Is It Herpes or Something Else?

158

Shingles

Geoff Oliver/Alamy

Shingles, another viral rash, is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, according to the CDC. These painful, itchy, and tingly rashes tend to appear on the torso and will follow the path of a nerve on just one side of the body. “It picks one nerve on either the left or the right side of the body,” Davis says. “It goes around the rib, one part of the face, and it’s very easy to diagnose.”

People with shingles won’t spread shingles to other people, but they can infect others with chicken pox if the person on the receiving end hasn’t had it, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Shingles can occur among people who’ve had chicken pox before, and since most adults in the United States did have chicken pox as kids, they’re at risk, especially if they’re over 50 and have compromised immune systems, according to the Mayo Clinic.

A shingles rash usually goes away within five weeks, and most people will only get shingles once, according to the National Institute on Aging. Sometimes, however, the pain will linger, especially among older people. Known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), it can lead to depression, trouble sleeping, and weight loss.

Rash Rx

There are two shingles vaccinations, which should prevent an infection in the first place, according to the CDC. And, as with herpes, an antiviral medication can reduce the severity and duration of a shingles outbreak, especially when taken within three days of the rash appearing, according to MedlinePlus. If you have mild pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever, cool washcloth, calamine lotion, and oatmeal baths may help.

RELATED: How to Prevent and Treat Shingles

Pink lichen (Pityriasis Gibert): symptoms, treatment, causes

Rosacea has many names in medicine. It is called roseola flaky, Gibert’s disease, pityriasis rosea. The disease belongs to the infectious-allergic category of dermatoses, is of an acute inflammatory nature with the appearance of spotty, papular, erythematous-squamous foci. They are located mainly on the trunk and on the surface of the limbs. Most often, pink lichen Zhibera is diagnosed in women aged 20 to 40 years, as well as in adolescents. In other age groups of people, the disease is extremely rare. The peak of complaints falls in spring and autumn during the spread of acute respiratory diseases.

Information about pityriasis rosea: causes, symptoms, manifestations

Medicine does not know the exact causes of the development of Zhiber’s lichen in men and women. Research is being carried out in the field of influence of herpes viruses of types 6 and 7, but an unambiguous etiological agent has not yet been determined. The causes of pink lichen continue to be studied. It is only known that at any moment a weakened immune system can become a trigger. The causes of pink lichen lie precisely in the reduction of the body’s defenses due to bacterial and infectious diseases.

Symptoms and clinical picture of the disease

Due to colds, hypothermia, severe emotional state, stress, a rash may appear on the skin. Symptoms of pink lichen begin to appear from it. The classic clinical picture is the formation of the main focus in the form of a medallion with a diameter of 2 to 10 cm. Within 7-14 days after its appearance, the rash spreads in the form of plaques and papules of pink and yellow-brown color. They are smaller than the main focus – their diameter can be from 0.5 to 2 cm. In appearance, the rash can be confused with ringworm due to the scaly edge of the rash. A few days after the rash, the spots turn pale, wrinkle and the stratum corneum cracks. The central part of the plaques remains smooth. Symptoms of pink lichen may be accompanied by itching, fatigue, fever, general intoxication, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and chin.

Types of disease

Pink lichen can have a classic appearance, when the clinical picture develops in stages in accordance with the generally accepted system – from the appearance of a “maternal” plaque to smaller rashes in the chest, back, abdomen, thighs, and on the flexor surfaces of the limbs. In the medical classification, several more forms of the disease are distinguished. Deprive Zhibera happens:

• urticarial – characterized by the presence of not plaques, but a blistering rash. There is severe itching. In appearance it resembles a urticaria;
• vesicular – manifested by generalized rashes of vesicles with severe itching. The diameter of the blisters with a clear or cloudy liquid is from 2 to 6 mm. Often they form “rosettes”;
• papular – rare. It is characterized by the appearance of cavitary formations above the surface of the skin. Small papules 1-2 mm in diameter;
• hemorrhagic – dotted hemorrhages (hemorrhages) occur, so the color of the plaques is darker than usual;
• follicular – rashes are grouped into rounded plaques of follicular papules, which can occur in parallel with classic plaques;
• one-sided;
• hypopigmented – more common in people with swarthy or dark skin. Lichen inverse is characterized by rashes in the axillary and inguinal regions and in the popliteal fossae;
• asbestos-like – extremely rare, and manifests itself in the scalp in the form of gray plaques;
• giant lichen pink Darya – the formation of large plaques in diameter from 5-7 cm. In severe cases, they reach the size of the patient’s palm;
• Vidal’s rosacea annulare has an atypical location, predominantly in the groin or axilla. The rashes look ring-shaped.

Gender and age characteristics

Pink lichen affects women, teenagers and children. Different forms of the disease affect certain groups of people. For example, the vesicular form is diagnosed more often in children and adolescents. The papular form is diagnosed in most cases in pregnant women and young children. Unilateral – equally occurs in both adults and children.

How disease is transmitted

Studies have not given a clear answer to the question of infection. Theoretically, pink lichen is transmitted by tactile contact, but this happens extremely rarely. There must be triggers for infection to occur. We are talking about low immunity, past viral and infectious diseases, colds. Relapse is possible in people with HIV, oncology and blood diseases.

What you need to know about diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of pink lichen is based on the collection of the patient’s history. To confirm or refute, analyze complex cases, a number of laboratory tests are prescribed. They include a clinical study of blood and urine. It is necessary to exclude syphilis and mycosis, therefore, serological and microscopic studies are additionally carried out. If these methods do not provide enough information to verify the diagnosis, the patient is referred for a biopsy (biopsy histology).

Treatment for rosacea is not always required. The disease is prone to arbitrary self-healing within 5 weeks. However, dermatosis should not be considered harmless. First of all, antipruritic therapy is required. For this, topical glucocorticosteroid drugs, antihistamines are used externally. Ointments, gels, pastes can not be used without the appointment of a dermatologist. Otherwise, the rash can increase the scale of the skin lesion, capturing new areas. Of the drugs, antibiotics and antiviral agents can be prescribed, depending on the definition of indications. Ultraviolet therapy gives a good effect.

Dermatologist’s help in Moscow

Diagnosis of pink lichen and treatment is the field of activity of a dermatologist. Depending on the form of the disease, the scale of the skin lesion, the patient is provided with recommendations. With lichen, the emotional and psychological background of a person is important, therefore, promptly making the correct diagnosis allows you to quickly overcome the disease.

You can make an appointment with the dermatologist of JSC “Medicina” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) by phone +7 (495) 775-73-60. Self-medication is not worth it. The reason – according to external signs, skin rashes can turn out to be differential diseases, for example, toxidermia, psoriasis, mycosis, secondary syphilis. In these cases, the appointment of another therapy is required, taking into account the specific clinical picture and the patient’s history.

Frequently asked questions from patients

What causes pink lichen?

There is no single answer to this question. Research is ongoing. Presumably, the cause may be the herpes virus type 6 or 7. With a decrease in immunity, it is activated, which triggers the process of rashes of various types (plaques, vesicles, blisters). Stress, poor ecology, hormonal surges, chronic diseases can provoke the disease.

Is rosacea contagious?

Pink lichen in humans is considered non-contagious, but rare cases of the disease of entire families are known. Much depends on the state of immunity and the body’s defenses that can resist viruses, bacteria and infections.

Is it possible to sunbathe with pink lichen?

One of the types of therapy for this dermatological disease is light therapy. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet radiation has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, stimulating its regeneration. Combustion must not be allowed. This will lead to increased itching in the area of ​​the spots.

Didn’t find the answer to your question?

Our experts are ready to advise you by phone:

+7 (495) 775-73-60

Why do acne appear in the same place?

Tiina Orasmäe-Meder,

dermatologist, beauty product development expert, founder of professional cosmetics brand Meder Beauty Science

What is a pimple?

What is popularly considered “ pimple “, dermatologists call papulo-pustular inflammation. Outwardly, they look like pink nodules that gradually increase in size, become painful, and a bubble appears at the top, filled with whitish or yellowish contents – it is called a pustule. Usually the end of the “career” of a pimple is the spontaneous opening of the pustule, as a result of which it empties and dries up.

What is important to understand

Papules and pustules, that is, pimples, do not appear from scratch. Approximately eight weeks before a pimple forms, a comedone forms at the site where it will manifest itself in the future, which looks like a small, harmless bump with a white top (closed comedone) or with a black hole at the top (open comedone). Comedones occur as a result of an increase in the amount of sebum in the sebaceous gland, as a result of which the exit from the mouth of the gland is clogged. After that, the process begins to develop in depth. 9 colonies grow in a plug of gradually oxidized sebum0101 microbe Cutibacterium acnes and Malassezia fungus. As a result of their vital activity, inflammation develops in the deep layers of the skin and, finally, a red spot appears at the site of the future papule – this means that the inflammation has passed into a new, open stage.

Comedones do not just appear in the same place, they usually develop from the same glands – the same glands that produce excess sebum.

In some areas, the sebaceous glands are more sensitive to stimuli, in particular to changes in hormone levels – a striking example here is teenage acne , when inflammation most often appears in the chin and lower third of the face. It can capture the nose, temporal zones and forehead, and usually appears in the cheekbones in more severe forms.

Severe forms of acne are not only related to the prevalence of the process, although “acne count” is one of the methods for diagnosing the severity of the condition. In some cases, the elements themselves, developing from comedones, create a deep focus, as a result of which the inflammation becomes more active and affects deep structures leather . This is how, for example, an indurative rash develops – hard, red-bluish painful acne, which has almost no content. They rarely disappear spontaneously, they can persist for weeks and months, leaving behind age spots and even scars.

Sometimes whole cavities filled with purulent contents develop deep in the skin – they are called cysts, and this form of acne is nodular cystic. Cysts can merge with each other, forming inflamed zones, which in severe cases can even transform into phlegmon – fortunately, this happens quite rarely.

What does the appearance of acne say?

In itself, the appearance of inflammation in the same place does not indicate any additional diseases.

Multi-colored pictures with indications that inflammation of the chin hints at gynecological problems, and that inflammation of the temples hints at problems with the stomach or with some other organs, are completely devoid of scientific justification.

Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands, but its development, of course, is associated with certain changes in the general condition of the body. Most often these are hormonal changes, stress and in some cases a reaction to external stimuli or toxic substances. One of the important factors in the development of acne is the tendency of patients to auto-aggression – what is called the habit of “picking the face” or “squeezing pimples” .

This cannot be done, because as a result, the sebaceous gland is additionally injured and the inflammatory process in it becomes chronic and difficult to treat. In addition, it always carries the risk of additional skin infection microorganisms living on hands and nails – believe me, you don’t need problems at all.

What measures should be taken in case of constantly returning acne?

First of all, let’s agree – this is a completely normal situation that is typical for the development of acne. Acne is a chronic skin disease that has the right to return. As long as some glands synthesize too much sebum and plugs develop, there is a risk that there will be inflammation in place of these plugs. Therefore, the best choice is not to try to pop the pimple immediately in the hope of getting rid of it, but to take a breath and accept the simple truth: acne needs to be treated patiently.

Treatment takes at least eight weeks, and in most cases it takes 12-14 to achieve permanent improvement.

What principles should be followed in the treatment of acne?

1. Restore healthy sebum synthesis. Various external products are used for this – the most popular are products based on retinol and its derivatives. Unfortunately, their use is accompanied by the development of hypersensitivity and skin irritation, redness and peeling. Recently, more and more products are being used that act on the same principle, but do not damage the skin, such as creams and emulsions, which include avocutin, a substance derived from the pulp of avocados (Butylavocadate). Salicylic acid, green tea extract, cucumber extract, apricot pulp, pueraria, some citrus fruits, as well as vitamins B 9 have a similar effect. 0154 2 , B ₃ (niacinamide) and C. In severe forms of acne, systemic retinol preparations are used for this purpose – for example, Roaccutane.
2. Restore the health of the microbiome and reduce the activity of microorganisms that multiply in the sebaceous glands. This requires prebiotics, eg Bioecolia complex (alpha-oligosaccharide), inulin, yacon extract. It is also possible to use bacterial complexes, most often these are lactic acid bacterial cultures (Lactobacillus).
3. Inhibition of inflammation activity. Allantoin, aloe juice extract , green tea extract, chaga and agaricon mushroom extracts, vitamins B ₃ , B ₅ and B ₆ , zinc and magnesium compounds have an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Improvement of skin tone and sebaceous glands to prevent the formation of comedones .