What’s worse than having
acne? Facial acne is tough enough, but having this skin problem in a place that you can’t reach can be highly uncomfortable.
Back acne, also called
bacne, is exactly like any regular acne problem. Except this time it’s on your back. Other areas that
acne tends to affect are the buttocks and upper arms, but no matter where it is, it produces the same kind of discomfort that it produces on the face.
What causes bacne?
Bacne often varies from person to person, and personal health histories. One’s genetic makeup dictates the type of
acne you may find on a person’s back.
Bacne may take different forms, and can be
blackheads, pimples, pustules, and cysts. Cysts are the worst type as they form in deep skin levels and are a bit more difficult to treat.
There’s no sure explanation for what causes
bacne, though they are similar with
facial acne and that they tend to appear around puberty and are linked with hormonal fluctuations. Just like regular acne,
bacne is caused by the over activity of sebaceous glands therefore oil is produced in larger amounts. A lot of oil can promote a breeding ground for bacteria, and the risk for infection is multiplied. Bacteria that reside in the skin can clog up pores along with dead skin cells, and this is how the skin becomes red and inflamed, and sometimes with pus as well.
Aside from hormones, stress is also being linked to
bacne. Regular consumption of oily or fatty foods is also another suspected cause. There is no scientific evidence to back the belief that
bacne is caused by excessive sweating and carrying heavy backpacks. However, excessive moisture could attract bacteria, and backpacks can chafe the skin, and both could exacerbate already existing
bacne.
How is bacne treated?
To prevent
bacne, a couple of lifestyle changes may be in order. First off, skip on oily and fatty food, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables as they contain valuable antioxidants that can reduce inflammation. You’ll need to use effective
anti-acne products as well. The best thing to do is to consult a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will closely examine what type of acne you have and recommend the right treatments. You will be given proper
skin care advice too.
You may also want to wear loose clothing and avoid wearing backpacks until your case of
bacne resolves. Mechanical pressure may chafe the skin and prevent it from healing properly, so ease up also on lifting heavy things such as a heavy backpack while waiting for the
acne to heal.
If your
bacne is especially inflamed or covers an extensive area, don’t hesitate to check with a dermatologist or medical expert for advice on treatment.