What causes pimples on head? Get insights on the reasons for bumps on scalp, pimples, cyst, scalp acne that causes hair loss, home remedies and how to treat.
Pimples on Head Meaning
Pimples are definitely a big problem to general human life. We all know that they are unfortunately a part of almost every one’s life if not all. On rare cases, you may even develop pimples on head or scalp.
Bumps or pimples develops the same way, whether it is on the face, back, chest, or scalp. Sebum is oil produced by the sebaceous glands, which is used to lubricate the hair follicles and keep the skin smooth. This oil moves from the sebaceous glands of the skin to the pores.
Acne forms when the sebum and dead skin cells the pores. As this occur, bacteria takes advantage to form in the pore and multiplies by adding a microcomedone. The pore forms a pimple when the microcomedone overgrow and develop white head pimple, which become inflamed with a lot of pain from it.
In this case, hormones plays a major factor in oil production. If a person produce more sebum, he/ she might be more prone to acne. Just like other parts of the body, the head produces sebum and hair allows the sebum to remain close to the scalp.
Apart from that, pimple on head occur due increased use of oil or head products that clog the skin pores on the scalp, allowing dirt to remain held up in the pores. This gives bacteria a better environment to thrive inn resulting to bumps.
Pimples on head can be irritating and painful. When we go through our daily routine, that include the normal and simple act of brushing or combing our hair, it can be an uncomfortable experience when pimples on head are inflamed. There are activities we should do in order to prevent and treat scalp pimples.
How does scalp pimples form?
As discussed before, scalp bumps forms the same way as bumps in any other part of the body. The sebaceous or oil glands are located deep in the skin and each oil gland is connected to a hair follicle, which is a tiny canal containing a hair. The oil or sebum produced by the sebaceous glands flows out through the follicle to the skin surface. This helps to lubricate the hair follicles and the skin. The opening of the follicle on the skin surface which is commonly known as a pore.
Pimples on head forms as a result of a combination of 3 factors:
- Excess oil or sebum production
- Blockage of pores
- Inflammation resulting from bacteria
Pimples occur when an overactive sebaceous gland produces excess oil, which may then get trapped within the blocked pores. The extract cause of clogged pores is not well known. As a result of this blockage, the hair follicle may enlarge to form a little pimple and in time it may rupture, thus allowing bacteria to get into the deep tissues and cause inflammation.
The common skin bacteria known as propionibacterium acnes multiplies within the clogged pores and causes inflammation of the follicle. Pimple is not caused by bacterial infection but bacteria which play a major role in its development. Whiteheads, blackheads, painful red bumps on head, pustules, cysts, and boils develop as a result of pore blockage.
Extra ordinary inflammation causes pustule formation, while deeper inflammation causes pimples, and still deeper ones can cause cyst formation too. Whiteheads are formed when the excess oil comes out on the surface, while blackheads are formed by oxidation of the oil, and not by accumulation of dirt as is commonly thought.
What causes pimples on head?
There are numerous conditions that cause pimples to occur on your head. Some of them include:
- Hormones, especially during adolescence stage and at times of menstruation.
- Stress, accelerated sebum production
- Hot, humid conditions
- Environmental pollution
- Exposure to certain chemicals and oils
- Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, lithium, and estrogen containing medication.
- Oily, or greasy scalp
- Friction or pressure, as from helmets
- Hair products such as hair oils, conditioners, and gels can cause blocked pores
- Acne tends to run in families- heredity
Symptoms of pimples on head
Scalp pimples may not always be noticeable since the scalp is covered by hair. Touching it accidentally while combing or brushing may cause pain and only then can you discover them.
- Mild scalp acne may be seen in the forehead region, near the hair line
- Infection of the hair follicle can cause scalp folliculitis which is a more severe condition
- Scalp pimples may be confused to be a non- infectious form of scalp folliculitis
- Acne necrotica miliaris is more severe but rarer form of scalp folliculitis which is seen as tiny superficial pustules. As well as affecting the scalp it may also develop on the face and other parts of the body.
- Small itchy pustules
- Red bumps may be seen on the scalp
- Crusting and oozing
- Matting of the hair
- Bald patches and scarring if pimples on head are left untreated for long time.
Pimples on Head Scalp
The pimple like bumps on the head can be caused by several conditions including seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis. Regardless of these condition having different causes, they can be bothersome and dangerous if left untreated.
In many situations, bumps can be embarrassing and difficult to hide when they form on the head. It is very helpful if you understand their causes and ways of treating them.
They are mostly tender, scaly, itchy, inflamed and red in appearance. The bumps formed on the head can be crusty and may be filled with a pus- like material. They can also be surrounded by oily or greasy skin. Also, hair loss can occur in the area of the scalp around the bump.
Sometimes, such as when the pimples are the result of seborrheic dermatitis, red bumps and scaling can form on other areas of the body such as the ears, nose and eyelids.
The pimples on the head are caused by a condition referred to as seborrheic dermatitis. As per the research findings, this problem occurs due to the yeast malassezia and an excess of oil on the skin.
Triggers of the condition may include stress, poor personal hygiene, alcohol –containing lotions and obesity. Red bumps can also occur on the scalp due to an infection called folliculitis. This occurs when the hair follicles become infected by a fungus, virus or bacteria after becoming damaged.
Treatment
Seborrheic dermatitis can benefit from over the counter shampoos containing medications. In serious cases, you can visit your doctor who will advise on the best shampoos you can use to treat your condition.
Pimples on head due to folliculitis can be remedied with topical or oral antibiotics. These can treat the infection and help reduce any itching or inflammation. Chronic or painful bumps that are boil- like may require surgical drainage to increase recovery time and relieve pain.
Warning
When you have a severe case, contact your doctor or dermatologist if the scalp pimples are persistent or do not respond to home remedies. It is also important when you treat the pimples carefully and gently. If the bump is infected, you should wash the scalp two times a day using an antibacterial soap. Shaving the scalp should be avoided as much as possible, on the head that is suffering.
Be aware of this dangers:
Seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis can be very dangerous especially if left untreated. They may end up causing shame and serious problems with self-esteem. Both of these conditions can result to serious fungal or bacterial infections.
These types of infections can also develop to the blood stream and lymph nodes. With folliculitis, very painful boils can form within the skin surface, ending up in extreme pain and scarring. Therefore, permanent hair loss can occur in the hair follicle become destroyed.
Pimples on Head that Hurts
Painful bumps can form on your head for several reasons. Skin conditions, infections and irritation may cause hair follicle inflammation, leading to pimples or rashes and even hair loss on some areas of the scalp.
Knowing the possible cause of the bumps is like solving the problem half way as it can provide a guideline for treatment and responsiveness. Some conditions may require immediate medical attention. If the pimples on head continue without responding to medication, it will be a good action to visit a doctor for examination and treatment thereafter.
Some of painful or hurting infections on the head
Tinea capitis
It is also referred to as ringworm of the scalp, which appears with round, red, scaly bumps on the head surface. It is called by the mold- like fungus tinea, which infects the skin and quickly grow if not handled in a good way.
These kind of pimples on head are usually painful with incessant itchiness and may be filled with pus. Ringworm of the scalp requires antifungal medication prescribed by a doctor. Numerous treatments are common and can all help.
Folliculitis
Is an inflammation of one or several hair follicles anywhere on the skin. It begins when hair follicles become damaged due to external irritation of obstructed follicles. In general, the area appears red, bumpy and pimple like, exhibiting pain as well as itching.
Folliculitis delcalvans is a condition affecting only the scalp and leads to scarring in which hair never grows back. Staphylococcus aurous is the bacteria responsible for this condition and usually requires several antibiotic treatments to ward off the infection.
Head or scalp psoriasis
It occurs with red, bumpy patches on the skin surface with soreness that may sometimes extend beyond the hair line. Its symptoms are same to those of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, in which there is no pain, just itchiness and pimples on head remaining confined by the hairline.
This condition can range from mild to severe with thick, crusted plaques associating primary signs. As research reveals, scalp psoriasis can become less responsive to medications over time, so rotating or combining treatments helps in the fighting of the condition. Tar products and salicylic acid help in treating the mild cases, whereas prescription of topical or oral treatments require evaluation by a health care professional.
Pimples on Head Hair Loss
Acne or pimples does not cause hair loss, even when it develops along the scalp, active lesions are not likely to damage the hair follicles enough to lead to localized baldness. There is a condition called folliculitis, which is well known to cause hair loss on the head, which is often confused with acne. This can eventually destroy the affected hair follicles and lead to a permanent loss of hair in severe cases.
What causes hair loss on the head?
Folliculitis usually occur as red, pimple- like lesions around infected hair follicles. They typically develop in clusters and can fill with pus, causing pain, tenderness and itchiness along the affected area of your scalp.
In most cases of folliculitis are linked to staph, or the staphylococcus aureus bacteria, but you may also develop this problem from other kind of bacterial infections, viral or fungal infections.
At home treatment
If the condition is not serious, it can respond favorably to self-care methods. Cleansing the affected area of the skin or scalp with an antibacterial shampoo or soap twice a day is often recommended.
You may also benefit from the daily use of topical hydrocortisone as well as a warm compress. Hydrocortisone helps to lessen inflammation, while the compress can encourage the drainage of pus.
Diagnosis of the illness
If the pimples on head lesions do not respond to self-care methods within a week, talk to your doctor or dermatologist for further examination.
The medical expert can typically diagnosis the skin condition and what caused it to occur by just looking at the site of the problem. The cause of folliculitis dictates the form of treatment used to clear the infection.
Treatment
When folliculitis is connected to staph, a topical or oral antibiotic can improve the infection. Other pathogens require antifungal or antibacterial medications. Like antibiotics, these medications are administered topically or orally, depending on the severity and location of the infection.
Prevention
Prevention of folliculitis of the scalp will involve use of shampoo in your hair regularly. No special shampoos are needed, so you can just use the normal cleanser to help stop this common skin condition. To add on that, avoid sharing towels as well as using whirlpools or hot tubs, especially when you are prone to recurrent breakouts.
Cyst on Head
A cyst is a sac that can be filed with air, fluid, or tissue. They can appear anywhere on the body. Cyst on the head can enlarge in size and shape and are typically benign. Talking about the various types of cyst on head can disappear, is there any treatment methods are available and any side effects or warnings can help? You have to understand this types of cyst because you may experience one.
Noticing a cyst on head
There are a couple types of cysts that can develop as pimples on head, one of the most known examined type of head cyst is an epidermoid cyst. These type of cysts can be formed anywhere between a few millimeters to 5 centimeters in diameter.
However, epidermol cyst can be moved even under the skin. In most cases, head cysts including epidermoid cysts develops because of infected hair follicles or acne.
Misconceptions
A common misconceptions about head cysts it that they are all cancerous. Some of them can be found to be cancerous but most are not. If you find a cyst on your head seek some help to a professional doctor. It is only a biopsy of the tissue can determine whether or not a cyst is benign or not. And once the biopsy has been complete, further treatment option may be needed.
Symptoms
A head cyst forms as a small bump under the skin and grows with time. In most cases these cysts develop from millia or a very tiny heads that never comes out to the surface. They appears as yellow or white drainage associated by a foul smell and red or tender areas covering the cyst. This might be a sign of infection and should be diagnosed by a doctor.
Prevention
Yet there is no specific way to prevent epidermoid cysts on head but there are solutions can be taken to this condition. One of the solution to deal with this type of cyst is to remove it away, when an epidermoid cyst grow larger than 5 centimeter, it means it have already infected or ruptures. There might be a surgical removal be needed to get rid of it.
Note this:
Most head cysts usually start as a small lump and grow over a period of a long time under the skin. if you notice your cyst has overgrowth over just a few months, consult your doctor. Typically epidermoid cysts slightly loose under the skin. If the cyst harden or becomes loose under the skin, seek a medical prescription urgently.
How to Get Rid of Pimples on Head
If you have been having problems with scalp pimples, here you can find some of the ways you can naturally treat the bumps. A part from that, it would be better to prevent the pimples on head from forming in the first place. Preventing scalp acne or bumps from forming is not a difficult activity. Here are simple and useful tips to keep your head or scalp free from bumps and acne for good.
Home Remedies;
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plain water throughout the day is the simplest way to keep scalp pimples away from your head. Water not only hydrates your skin but also help flash out waste matter from your body which if not removed may cause breakouts and other issues.
Carrying out exercise
This is another simple way to beat scalp acne. Exercise does not just reduce stress but also helps to keep hormones in balance. This help because hormones is one of the major cause of pimples on head is not controlled.
Having enough rest
It is also known as beauty sleep for a reason as it is the best time to rejuvenate your skin. Our body’s cellular renewal shift has the night shift and that is when you are getting all repair and renovation of the skin done. So always give yourself a better sleep
Review your shampoo
Shampoos with a lot fragrance harsh synthetics can irritate skin and cause pimples on head, face and your neck. You can consider using a sulphate free shampoo with natural ingredients. You can also make your own shampoo. Clays such as rhassoul and fuller earth are great cleansers for oily scalp.
Clean all hair combs and brushes
As you would not want to return back into the hair oil, dirt and dead skin cells, then you should wash your brushes and combs, every time you wash your hair. This is because, less oil and dirt means less pimples.