Dermatologists are well aware of how common the phenomenon of acne in women on the neck is. The causes of the pathology are both simple and difficult to establish. On the one hand, they are quite common and even obvious, on the other hand, there are a huge number of them, so only a professional doctor can identify “the one” and prescribe adequate treatment. However, if your neck is covered with pimples, then you probably want to find out the cause as soon as possible and begin treatment. Therefore, today we will try to understand this problem as deeply as possible.
A difficult struggle lies ahead
Usually, before the first rashes appear, the question of how to cope with such a problem does not arise. And the first pimples are usually perceived as something temporary and not particularly dangerous. They begin to sound the alarm only when the rashes acquire significant proportions and are no longer masked with the help of foundation. However, now you can no longer hope that you will be able to find a magic remedy and return your skin to its previous appearance in a few days. If they have already appeared, then treatment will take quite a long time, and even then there is no guarantee that it will be 100% effective. Even after complete healing, traces remain, the so-called post-acne - this is the most common complication that acne affects women on the neck. We will analyze the reasons for their initial appearance in sufficient detail so that you can draw the appropriate conclusions for yourself.
A delicate problem
In fact, today such a picture can be found often. A beautiful young woman, and her cheekbones and neck are strewn with sore spots. This greatly spoils the image, looks ugly, and is also accompanied by pain. Such rashes do not go away for a very long time and are often accompanied by itching. Why do acne still appear on women's necks? The reasons may lie primarily in malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, these are not necessarily serious diseases - simple violations of a balanced diet can become the starting impetus for the development of such a dermatological disease. Therefore, any diets that modern women love to indulge in should be agreed upon with an experienced nutritionist. If you cannot get an appointment with such a specialist in person, then try an experiment: for a month, completely remove all sweets and baked goods from the menu, replace them with fruits and dried fruits. It is very important to replace refined rice and pasta with fresh and stewed vegetables. The main dish should not be fried, but boiled or baked meat or fish. Nutritionists say that in some cases, acne on women’s necks became less noticeable within the first month. The causes of many skin diseases lie in poor nutrition, so this method is worth a try.
What are acne on the neck?
And why is this beautiful part of the female body so susceptible to various rashes? First of all, this happens because the skin on the neck is thicker than on the face, and accordingly, it accumulates more sebum. Various factors contribute to the development of infection, cysts, nodules and whiteheads. Thus, the reasons for the appearance of acne on the neck in women are quite banal: the pores become clogged due to the growth of new cells, and sebum along with bacteria accumulates under the epidermis. From all of the above, it follows that the prevention of this disease is first and foremost important, which means maintaining personal hygiene. It is much easier to prevent acne from appearing than to cure it later.
The main reason is violation of personal hygiene rules
We have already touched on this topic, now let's talk about it in a little more detail. So, the skin on the neck is much more difficult to care for than on the face, it is thicker and prone to producing more sebum, but we rarely remember the need to thoroughly cleanse and moisturize it. We wipe our face every day, lubricate it with cream, clean it with a scrub, but the neck area remains outside of our attention. As a result, white pimples appear on the neck of women quite soon. The reason for this is simple, but it will take a very long time to deal with the consequences. If the treatment process is delayed, internal inflammation develops, and this leads to the appearance of subcutaneous pustules. But here you are already provided with the whole range of unpleasant sensations - from itching and burning to twitching and pain, as well as serious suppuration with corresponding complications.
Cosmetics and perfumes
This is an exclusively female prerogative, which is why we include the use of cosmetics in the list of possible causes of acne development. First of all, this applies to inexpensive cosmetics, which contain many fragrances and preservatives, provoking not only clogging of pores, but also allergic reactions. You should choose your perfume very carefully. If you have problem skin, then give up the habit of applying perfume to the neck area. You can use a scented handkerchief for this purpose. It will envelop you in a cloud of aroma, and at the same time the perfume will not come into contact with the skin.
Clothing as a trigger for rashes
Indeed, your everyday clothes can cause not only the occurrence, but also the progression of such a disease. First of all, we are talking about synthetics, which provoke mechanical irritation of the skin and small red rashes. If synthetic fabric cannot be avoided, then at least try not to use clothes with high collars in everyday wear. It’s better to choose things made of cotton or linen.
It is necessary to mention those who like to touch, rub and fiddle with the skin on the cheeks and neck. During the working day, you do not always have time to wash your hands with soap, which means that every such touch is a risk of worsening the condition of your skin.
Allergic reactions
This is a really important point that will help find the answer to the question of where acne on the neck came from. We are now discussing the reasons why these insidious rashes appear. And one of them is allergies. Moreover, this is only the trigger for the appearance of the first rash. Then a bacterial infection joins it, and we see the classic clinical picture when the entire neck is covered with an inflamed scab that itches and cannot be treated. This means that you need to find the source of the allergy, and most often these are your food preferences: bread, pastries, sweets in large quantities. Nutritionists offer the simplest method of treatment. A person is prescribed therapeutic fasting for several days, followed by a cleansing diet of vegetable soups and kefir, then other foods are gradually added (but no more than one at a time), and a diary is kept with photo reports.
Gastrointestinal diseases and hormone imbalances
This is the most difficult case, since you will have to spend a lot of time and money to establish the true cause. The fact is that the hormonal system is interconnected with the entire body: the pancreas produces insulin, which affects the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, and the thyroid gland controls metabolism as a whole, so it’s impossible to say unequivocally, and even without a series of tests, where the failure occurred, impossible. This system is very fragile. An unbalanced diet leads to hormonal imbalance, and disruption of the secretion of one of the glands leads to disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, proper nutrition is the key to health.
The most popular locations for acne
Not only the appearance, but also the location of your rash can tell a doctor a lot. The most interesting thing is that the reason for contacting a specialist is often acne on the back of the neck in women. The reasons for this are most often quite harmless - it is usually clogging of the sebaceous glands due to excessive sweating. This problem most often worsens in the summer, when hair causes a lack of ventilation. Therefore, doctors recommend collecting them in braids or a high ponytail, releasing them only in the evening.
If acne is located mainly behind the ears and under the ears, then this indicates a violation of the rules of personal hygiene. It is necessary to make it a rule to thoroughly wash and moisturize not only the face, but also the front and back of the neck, as well as the area around the ears. If acne is localized under the jaw, then this indicates that your body needs help. Perhaps he is attacked by viruses or his immunity has decreased for other reasons.
The most difficult to treat are pimples on the neck and chin, sometimes extending to the jaw and lower cheeks. First of all, you need to reconsider your lifestyle, personal hygiene rules, and nutrition. If everything is normal here (you adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat rationally and spend enough time in the fresh air), then the cause may be poor heredity. Take a closer look at your close relatives. But it happens that here, at first glance, everything is fine, but acne still appears on women’s necks. The reason (treatment of such a pathology, by the way, can take a long time) may lie in the disruption of the ovaries.
Treatment from within
We looked at the main causes of acne on the neck. Treatment methods are internal and external. Moreover, they must be alternated. First of all, it is important to consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examination by a dermatologist, gynecologist and endocrinologist. In addition to the prescribed treatment, it is necessary to adhere to a rational diet and eat as much fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits as possible. Additionally, folk healers recommend garlic tincture. To do this, chop the head of garlic and add a glass of water. Infuse it until the liquid turns yellowish, and take 5 drops in the morning before meals. Good results can also be achieved by taking brewer's yeast, which is sold in almost every pharmacy. After just two weeks, acne on the neck begins to dry out and disappear. The causes and treatment of this disease may vary, so our article is for informational purposes only. The general recommendation is to take vitamins, eat a balanced diet and avoid fatty foods.
Treatment outside
Despite the importance of treating the body from the inside, we must not forget about caring for inflamed skin from the outside, regardless of the cause of acne on the neck in women. Your attending physician will tell you everything about the treatment, so don’t rush to buy all kinds of pharmacy talkers, creams and gels - they may not always bring the desired effect. Today, many drugs based on antibiotics are sold. This is the famous “Zinerit” and many others. It must be remembered that an antibiotic is only part of a comprehensive treatment. The purpose of such drugs is only to relieve the bacterial complication, then it is necessary to carry out therapy that restores the skin, otherwise it will again be populated by pathogenic microflora that are resistant to the antibiotic. To do this, doctors recommend regularly making clay masks, wiping the skin twice a day with calendula tincture in combination with honey, and cauterizing the inflamed areas with salicylic alcohol or iodine. For restorative therapy, masks made from crushed apple and cucumber with the addition of essential oils of lavender, rose hips and sandalwood, as well as honey, are excellent.
Inflammations can appear on any part of the body; depending on their location, one can judge the condition of the internal organs and systems. Painful pimples on the neck of women under the jaw or on the chin are a sign of a malfunction of the hormonal system or metabolism.
Causes
Many people with this problem are interested in why acne appears on the neck and what these formations mean. Most often, the neck is connected to the thyroid gland - pimples pop up as a result of its malfunction. Also, the cause of their appearance can be poor-quality clothing that rubs against the skin. Because of this, small subcutaneous pimples most often appear on the back of the neck and on the back of the head.
Pimples on the neck
- Small pimples behind the ears are a sign of poor personal hygiene. No matter how elementary it is, to get rid of them, you just need to wash your hair and ears more thoroughly;
- According to physiology, the neck is also very connected to the gastrointestinal tract. Painful large inflammations can be a sign of intestinal cessation or malfunction;
- If hard boils and comedones appear under the jaw, then this is a sign of a chronic disease (or viral during the incubation period). Thus, the body notifies you about the problem;
- Often, unpleasant white pimples that itch and pop up during pregnancy. This occurs due to a sharp increase in the amount of hormones. The process, unfortunately, cannot be cured, but it can be facilitated by taking vitamins and frequent walks in the fresh air. The rash will go away after childbirth;
- Acne on the chin, forehead and neck is especially dangerous for women, because the cause of their appearance is ovarian dysfunction.
But, at the same time, you need to remember that each reason for the appearance of any acne (on the neck, back, cheeks, cheekbones) is purely individual. It is also necessary to take into account lifestyle, the functioning of the sebaceous glands and climatic conditions of residence.
How to get rid
Large white lesions can be easily removed with salicylic acid. It is applied precisely to the affected area. This method of treatment cannot be used on sensitive and delicate skin. You need to smear the formations twice a day, do not rinse off. If such pimples on the neck pop up under the hair, then they mean excess sweat, you need to normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Here, in addition to wiping with salicylic acid, it is also recommended to wash your face with a decoction of chamomile or string.
Simple clay will help remove inflamed watery pimples. You can apply white, blue or green depending on personal preferences and the characteristics of the epidermis. Mineral powder is mixed with water in equal proportions; if desired, oils or vitamins are added to the mixture. The mass is applied to the entire face and neck, washed off after hardening. This will not only cleanse and dry the inflamed areas well, but will also help tighten the skin.
Itchy pimples often appear on the jaw and cause a lot of inconvenience. To remove them, make a mask of honey, oatmeal and kaolin. Honey is preheated to a viscous state, kaolin is mixed with mineral water or herbal decoction in a 1:1 ratio. Everything is combined and thoroughly mixed, oatmeal or oatmeal is added to the finished mass. Apply with soft circular movements and rub in for 5 minutes. Then leave for 20. To achieve the fastest results, you need to do this mask every day - the effect will become noticeable after the second time.
Photo - Honey with oatmeal
Women with weak immune systems often experience cold pimples on the neck. This happens to babies if their tonsils are sore. They can be removed with a simple pharmaceutical remedy - iodine. Apply it in its pure form to inflammation, and never cover it with a bandage, otherwise a burn may occur. Apply until swelling and redness subsides completely.
If, as a result of a hormonal imbalance (during a delay, pregnancy, after childbirth or menopause), deep purulent pimples appear on the neck and décolleté, then an integrated approach is needed. To stabilize hormones and reduce the number of formations, it is necessary:
- Eliminate fast food, fatty, sweet and starchy foods from your diet - all this interferes with the functioning of the excretory and endocrine systems;
- Wash your face twice a day with mild cleansers - they will help improve the condition of pores and remove excess sebum;
- Avoid using oil. Of course, cosmetologists always recommend the use of natural care products, but in dermatology there is such a thing as Mallorcan acne. This is a consequence of an incorrect reaction of the epidermis to esters. As a result, pimples, blackheads, and comedones appear;
- Regularly use cleansing scrubs and soothing anti-inflammatory masks.
Very often, after shaving, an adult man develops large red pimples on his temples, neck and cheeks. Their treatment is carried out in two stages: cleansing and drying. The largest formations should be wiped with alcohol, and then spread with aloe vera juice, honey or a special gel (Zinoret, Boro-plus, etc.). In addition, you should pay attention to the condition of the razor and the quality of the lotion for this process - if the blade is dull, then acne will continue to appear, regardless of treatment.
The most difficult thing to eliminate is internal inflammation. Here, pus accumulates in the pores and cannot exit normally, interfering with blood circulation. Ichthyol ointment will help cure them. You need to apply a drop of resinous mass to the head of the pimple and cover it with a band-aid. Ichthyol will open the pores and help the pus come out, eliminating itching, irritation and redness. To avoid infection after the release of purulent fluid, the pimple site should be lubricated with iodine or alcohol, but not covered.
Video: acne treatment methods
Demadex
One of the most unpleasant causes of acne on the neck is the disease demodicosis, caused by the Demodex mite. Because of it, the lymph nodes become inflamed, and huge pimples, blackheads and comedones appear on the arms, neck, back and head. Traditional methods of struggle are practically powerless here. If you suspect the presence of this mite, then you need to be checked by a dermatologist who will prescribe special treatment. In most cases this is:
- Yellow mash, based on alcohol, salicylic acid and vitamin compounds;
- Special ointments are Bazitron, Demax cream, Metrogyl and sulfur ointment;
- Very thorough skin care. This includes washing with tar birch soap, black African composition, a mixture for the steam room from Agafya and others.
Photo – Demadex
Remember that under no circumstances should you scratch or crush the formations - inflammation and even blood poisoning may begin. The key to success will be a daily change of bed linen and clothes, exclusion of harmful foods from the diet and frequent walks outside (optimally, near ponds or forests).
Acne usually occurs when sebum and dead cells accumulate in the pores. But why do acne appear on the neck? Hormones, poor nutrition, fatigue, stress lead to hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands and impaired exfoliation of epidermal cells. If the pores are infected with bacteria, inflammation begins. Is it possible to prevent the situation from getting worse?
Pimples on the neck: why the skin breaks out
Symptoms of mild to moderate acne usually appear on the face. About 15% of patients come to dermatologists with complaints of acne in the neck area. Considering that many are treated at home, this figure should be 2-3 times higher. Doctors call hormonal imbalance and diseases of internal organs the most important causes of acne. In this case, acne is concentrated mainly in the chin area, along the jaw. If measures are not taken, they spread to the underlying areas of the skin.
On a note!Pimples on the neck in women appear due to hormonal fluctuations in the body and in stressful situations. These conditions are characteristic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Usually, before menstruation, the activity of the sebaceous glands increases under the influence of testosterone. After some time, the level of female sex hormones increases, and the inflammatory process quickly subsides. Pimples become less noticeable and then disappear completely. Prevention measures help in this case - healthy eating, personal hygiene, normal sleep.
Why do acne appear on the neck: 8 reasons
Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, PMS, menopause, obesity, stress, etc.
Diseases of internal organs, mainly endocrine, digestive and excretory systems.
Diabetes mellitus and impaired synthesis of insulin, the most important regulator of metabolism in the body.
Colds, in which the infection provokes inflammation of the skin tissue.
Hereditary predisposition creates the preconditions for the manifestation of the disease.
Heat and excessive sweating increase the risk of clogged pores and inflammation of the sweat and sebaceous glands.
Poor nutrition causes metabolic disorders, which contributes to the appearance of rashes.
Use of comedogenic cosmetics for body care, irritation of the neck skin with ingredients of perfumes and creams.
Successful treatment of acne on the neck is possible only after determining the cause of the rash. The most adequate picture is provided by an examination in a medical institution.
Why do subcutaneous acne appear on the neck?
The inflammatory process begins in the pilosebaceous follicle - a microscopic sac located in the deep layers of the skin. At first, the lumps deep under the skin do not cause discomfort, but as inflammation develops, they become painful and increase in size. This source of infection “matures” for a long time, leaving a stain or scar after healing.
The main causes of subcutaneous acne on the neck:
impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients in the intestine;
poor diet, excess of sweet, smoked, fried, salty foods;
excessive production of sebum - sebum;
Internal pimples are usually red. There is no white or yellowish top (blister with pus) on top. If the skin is severely affected, it looks bumpy, but such pimples cannot be squeezed out. Squeezing causes damage to the pilosebaceous sac; the contents penetrate the skin and infect surrounding tissues.
Why acne appears on the neck and treatment: hygiene plus prevention
Acne in the neck area is often exposed to friction from a clothing collar, scarf, perfume, or razor (in men). Irritation impairs healing and provokes secondary infection. What is happening causes considerable psychological and aesthetic discomfort to both women and men. In such cases, it helps to review your wardrobe and more carefully select shaving accessories, perfumes and eau de toilette.
5 main rules of neck hygiene and skin care
Wash once or twice a week with tar soap, which has a strong antimicrobial effect.
Use a damp cloth to wipe exposed areas of the body in hot weather to prevent sweat and dirt from blocking the pores.
If acne appears constantly on your neck, you should not wear clothes with high, stiff collars.
Neckerchiefs and scarves should be made of soft fabrics and should be washed frequently.
It is better to wear long hair in a high ponytail to allow the skin to breathe.
Small red pimples on the neck usually go away quickly and do not cause pain when pressed. Such rashes can appear as a result of excessive sweating in the heat or after physical activity. Treatment with an antiseptic lotion helps in these cases. First, rinse the skin from sweat and dry it with a soft towel. If pimples on the neck are very itchy and cause itching, then treat the rash with alcohol tinctures or decoctions of thyme, calendula or celandine.
Amina Pirmanova / article author