Back Acne
Outbreaks of acne on the back can be very irritating and distracting. And if the sores get to the point that they become messy, they can create issues for your wardrobe and interfere with your work as well. From a medical standpoint, the causes and even the treatments of acne on the back are not much different from acne on the face. Acne is not discriminatory about where it crops up. But it does tend to show up in places where sweat and oils accumulate and the face and back are prime candidates.
What makes acne on the back harder to treat is that it is hard to get to. Most of us can take some time each evening and clean and apply treatment to acne on the face and neck because we have good access to those areas. But to clean and then treat acne on the back, you often need help and that means it doesn’t happen as often as you may like. For someone living alone, that can be a real problem because this is not something you can ask a stranger to do for you.
One of the reasons that acne can get a foothold in the skin of the back is the fact that the back is an area where a lot of perspiration and accumulation of oils and dirt commonly occur and that does not get routine cleaning except a shower in the evening. Unlike the face or hands that can be cleaned many times a day with relative ease, it is just not feasible to take off ones top and clean the back in the middle of work or school. Also, because this part of your body is always clothed, the ability of the skin of the back to breathe because of the constrictive nature of your clothing also gives the advantage to acne when it begins to take hold.
The back is also an area that can endure a rougher lifestyle which takes its toll on the skin. Many students wear backpacks all day long and that movement of heavy objects against the back can pose a problem when acne begins to form on the back. That constant friction can cause blemishes to open which only causes the acne to spread. Add to that the problem of back hair, which is common especially in males, and that matting of hair creates a perfect environment for the trapping of oils and sweat which is the breeding ground for acne.
When acne on the back becomes a problem, the solutions are similar to treating acne elsewhere. Over the counter medications work well and taking more care to clean the area and control diet to cut down on the oil and fat coming from what you eat will help eliminate acne wherever it occurs. You can also wear more loose fitting tops, which allow for more circulation under your clothing cutting down on sweating and allowing the skin to breathe. But if the acne on your back becomes more severe, it is always a good idea to consult your dermatologist to take control of the problem before it becomes a serious medical problem for you.