Body Pimples
Facts about Body Pimples
It’s a natural affliction in life for most people to suffer at least mild attacks of acne but in some people, this skin condition doesn’t stop at the face; with body pimples spreading to the chest and back as well. The culprit behind the breakouts in these areas is the same glandular activity that occurs on the face, and it may surprise some as to who this condition affects the most.
Sebaceous glands are located over most of the body, having larger concentrations in some areas than others. These glands lie beneath the surface layer of the skin and have multiple purposes. Their main purpose is to produce a substance called sebum. Sebum is an active substance even during the earliest development of a fetus in the womb, covering the baby’s entire body before birth to protect it from the watery world of the womb. After birth, sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands to carry away dead skin cells that are naturally sloughed off so that they arrive on the skin’s surface. If a gland becomes blocked, sebum accumulates within the pocket and can develop into infection. This is how acne develops. In the throes of puberty, the sebaceous glands produce excess amounts of sebum, which is why teenagers are afflicted with oily skin, oily hair, smelly bodies and, of course, the dreaded acne.
There are certain areas on the body that contain more sebaceous glands than others; namely, the face, the chest and the back. In normal operations, the sebum produced by the glands keeps the skin lubricated to avoid drying out. It is only when aberrations occur to block the gland that the process “backs up”, causing a raised bump on the skin’s surface. The body’s immune system, quickly realizing that this excess sebum collection creates an inviting habitat for bacteria, rushes to the area to set up defenses; resulting in the formation of a pimple.
While most people associate acne with the hormonally charged teenage years, the people who suffer most from acne on the body (pimples, whiteheads or blackheads) are active adults. While both men and women may have skin problems on their chests or backs, it is men who tend to have a higher tendency for developing these. One reason is thought to be true is in the amount of perspiration that is excreted by men. When strenuous physical activity takes place, the body sweats; pushing the oils, which may also carry dead skin cells, to the surface along with the perspiration. If not cleaned away in a timely manner, this accumulation on the skin will dry on the surface and effectively block pores and glands.
Physically active women are also prone to body acne, but more to blame than physical activity for females is stress. It is believed that, due to the number of women with challenging and demanding careers that experience pimples on the chest and back, a direct link between stress and acne exists.
While body acne may not be a physically evident as facial acne, it is nonetheless just as prevalent and also much more difficult to treat. It is helpful to eliminate hospitable conditions for acne; showering as soon as possible after physical activity will flush away accumulated oils and dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Using an exfoliating body wash helps to clear blockages of glands as well as invigorating the skin. Wearing breathable clothing helps the body perspiration to evaporate from the skin rather than dry upon it. Finding methods of eliminating or dealing with stress will be highly beneficial, as will concentrating on a healthy, low fat diet.
It may surprise many adults, especially those who are victims of body pimples, to learn that this condition is actually more common for them than teenagers. Fortunately, it is not an inevitable condition as body acne can be successfully treated and avoided.