Did you know that frequent wearing of a backpack on the back can cause acne, which can often be painful? How to prevent the appearance of acne on the back and what should you pay attention to in order to prevent their spreading across the entire back?
Usually, acne appears on any part of the body where there are more glands that secrete oil, such as the face, chest, and back. On the back, blackheads, pimples, and pustules filled with pus, called cysts, can often appear.
Why does acne appear on this part of the body and how do you get rid of it?
How Does Acne Form on the Back?
This acne appears because the back has a large number of glands that secrete sebum, or oils, which serve to protect the skin. Typically, they result from pores on the skin becoming clogged with natural oils (sebum) mixing with dead cells, sweat, or dirt.
These clogged pores can often harbor bacteria or become inflamed, leading to the formation of acne.
They most commonly occur in adolescents, but there is no age or gender restriction for individuals who may develop them.
In addition to bacteria, a common trigger for acne is the fungal infection Malassezia, which causes growths similar to acne. This fungus thrives in moist environments, so people who often wear tight clothing made of materials that don’t allow the skin to breathe or backpacks are most at risk of developing acne caused by it.
Also, in cases of acne caused by fungal infections, using antibiotic creams on your own can further worsen the situation.
Symptoms
Acne often appears on the shoulders, upper back, or torso. These acne can often be painful and appear in clusters (several acne on a smaller area of the skin). Additionally, only one type of acne may appear, or it may be a mixture of blackheads, pustules, red acne, and cystic acne.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Before you start using any acne medication, it’s best to consult a doctor or dermatologist, and some of the following symptoms should prompt you to schedule an appointment immediately:
If you have painful cystic acne; If you have very inflamed pimples; If you have a raised body temperature, which may be a sign of inflammation.
Most Common Causes of Acne Appearance
If you constantly have acne problems on your back, it’s very important to determine the cause of their appearance and make changes to your daily life. It is considered that acne most often occurs in people who:
Have changes in hormone levels, such as adolescents and pregnant women; Often wear tight or sports clothing that causes friction on sweaty skin, or frequently wear a backpack; Use corticosteroid medications; Regularly use lotions or body creams that can clog the pores on the back; Are under stress or suffer from anxiety, as the increase in cortisol levels in their body leads to increased sebum production; Do not change clothes with hours after physical activities, and the sweat trapped between the clothing and the body leads to pore blockage; Have genetic predispositions to acne.
How to Prevent the Appearance of Acne and Their Spread?
- It’s best to always wear light and loose clothing to avoid friction and irritation. Tight shirts can trap sweat and cause chafing;
- If you have acne problems, avoid wearing backpacks or sports clothing with padding on the back;
- Shower immediately after any physical activity and avoid lying naked on dirty surfaces when exercising;
- Choose mild hygiene products;
- Benzoyl peroxide gels can help clean acne, and it’s best to leave them on for about 5 minutes before rinsing;
- Never squeeze pimples to avoid causing infections and spreading them;
- If you have long hair, wash it more often and tie it up to avoid touching the back;
- Avoid foods that can cause acne in some people, such as white flour, pasta, potatoes…
