Because acne normally appears on the face, chest, and back, cases like Janine’s tend to be ignored until treatment becomes absolutely imperative. “The difficult thing about scalp acne,” says dermatologist Dr Andrew Waite, “is that the presence of hair makes the use of certain chemicals impossible.”
That’s from the doctor’s point of view. As far as the layman is concerned, scalp acne is probably far more common than most people realize. Scientifically speaking, scalp acne has most often been associated with high stress and anxiety, but it may also develop if the scalp becomes oilier than usual. The biggest problem, says 16-year-old Cathy Hillman, is that scalp acne is “itchy as hell” which means you are constantly tampering with the pustule
Scalp acne treatment for mild acne can be treated in the same manner as normal acne is treated. One should use a product that has salicylic acid. The product should only be applied to the affected areas as it can cause excessive dryness in the non effected parts. While shampooing the hair, one should be careful that a shampoo which is made for oily hair should be used. If the acne becomes severe, the treatment should be done in the guidance of a dermatologist. Benozyl peroxide should never be used to treat scalp acne. Benozyl Peroxide has the chemicals that can change the color of the hair. Another way to cure scalp acne is to wash hair with an anti- dandruff shampoo and a conditioner.
Many times, people develop scalp folliculitis when they enter a hot tub or other warm moist location that is not well chlorinated. The temperature causes the scalp to moisten and allows hair follicles to become more susceptible to infection. Another potential cause of scalp folliculitis is the presence of ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair can easily become a hotbed of bacterial activity. Other contributing factors to the development of scalp folliculitis include diabetes, excessive sweating, tight clothing, unsanitary conditions, exposure to heat and humidity, and other skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema.
