The appearance of acne on the body can be caused by both external and internal factors. Pimples on the shoulders indicate disruption of the sebaceous glands, blockage of their ducts and the development of an inflammatory process. Acne rashes are associated with concomitant systemic diseases and hormonal imbalances.
The main causes of acne
Why acne forms on the forearms and shoulders:
- the use of fatty creams with a comedogenic effect;
- hereditary predisposition;
- wearing tight clothing made of synthetic material;
- poor hygiene;
- critical days for women;
- hormonal imbalance;
- unbalanced diet;
- pregnancy;
- stress;
- deficiency of vitamin A, E, B₅;
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, gastritis, dysbacteriosis, cholelithiasis;
- puberty during adolescence;
- diabetes;
- menopause in women over 40 years of age;
- allergies to food, medicine or cosmetics;
- after shaving for men;
- seborrhea;
- follicular superficial ichthyosis;
- keratosis.
In children, the cause of acne can be infectious diseases (chickenpox, measles, rubella), dysbacteriosis, and prickly heat. With streptoderma and staphylococcal infection, purulent rashes form on different parts of the body, including the forearms. A newborn child may experience infant acne, which is localized on the face or in any other area. Such symptoms occur in babies up to 6 months.
What types of acne are there on the body?
Depending on the reasons for the formation of rashes, they can be:
- subcutaneous;
- open or closed comedones;
- inflamed pimples;
- purulent acne;
- sebaceous gland cyst;
- dry acne with superficial ichthyosis;
- globular acne.
When the ducts of the sebaceous glands are blocked, plugs form; if keratinized scales accumulate in the upper part of the mouth, black dots form. When the lower cavity becomes clogged, inflamed subcutaneous pimples appear, painful on palpation. They have no way out and take a long time to pass. If an infection occurs, suppuration and whiteheads appear.
If pimples appear on a child’s forearm without signs of inflammation, this is superficial ichthyosis. Dry nodules form on the skin, which rise above the dermis. Most often this happens in the winter season, during puberty of adolescents, with a deficiency of vitamins. But the rash can also appear in adult men and women due to stress and an unbalanced diet. If the rashes in children are itchy and filled with fluid, you should urgently consult a doctor; it may be chickenpox.
A sebaceous cyst is a round capsule located under the skin. It has no way out and can only be removed surgically. Globular acne occurs on the shoulders and forearms of men in the severe stage of seborrhea. In women, the cause is polycystic ovary syndrome. Such pimples usually form in adolescence and persist until the age of 35–40. Healing occurs with subsequent scarring of the skin.
Methods for treating acne
- To get rid of acne on your back, shoulders or forearms, you must first eliminate the cause of its occurrence. If the pathology is caused by chronic diseases of internal organs, it is necessary to carry out timely therapy. It is useful to take a complex of vitamins, especially in the autumn-spring period.
- It is recommended to wear clothes made from natural materials; underwear should be cotton. Carefully select cosmetics for the body; if the sebaceous glands are overactive and you are prone to acne on the forearms, you should not use fatty, oil-based products. They contribute to clogging of pores and intensification of the inflammatory process.
- If there are hormonal imbalances or diseases of the reproductive system, you should consult an endocrinologist or gynecologist. After the course of treatment, the skin condition improves significantly.
- It is important to adhere to proper nutrition. Eliminate fried, spicy, salty, smoked foods, fast food and processed foods from your daily diet. Add more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy products. Replace fatty meats and fish with dietary ones.
- The cause of small pimples on the forearms may be an allergy to washing powder or detergents. In this case, the rashes are red, constantly itchy, and local or general swelling develops. In such cases, it is necessary to take antihistamines (Diazolin, Suprastin) and eliminate allergens.
- You should not try to squeeze out white pimples, as this can lead to skin infection and scarring. To find out why the rash appeared and how to properly treat it, you need to visit a dermatologist.
Preparations for the treatment of acne on the body
At home, it is useful to take a bath with a solution of potassium permanganate or decoctions of medicinal herbs. Brew chamomile, sage, celandine, string or St. John's wort. There is no need to rub the skin too much, and the water should not be hot.
The following ointments are used from pharmaceutical preparations for local treatment of acne:
Ointments and gels inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, reducing inflammation, and dry out white pimples. The functioning of the sebaceous glands is normalized, dead cells are exfoliated, and tissue regeneration is accelerated. The course of treatment is from 7 to 10 days. You can also wipe pimples with 3% hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, and panthenol.
While taking a shower, you can use body scrubs that even out the skin texture, cleanse the pores of comedones and speed up the process of renewal of the surface layer of the dermis. You should not wash your body with shampoo, since often these products contribute to blockage of the sebaceous ducts and the appearance of acne on the forearms, back, and shoulders. It is also prohibited to use massage oils.
For severe forms of acne and purulent pimples, external ointments are not enough. In such cases, the doctor prescribes antibiotics: Minolexin, Doxycycline. Additional consultation with a gastroenterologist, neurologist, nutritionist, endocrinologist, or gynecologist may be required.
Salon procedures for the treatment of acne on the forearm
In the beauty salon, the skin is cleaned of comedones and small pimples, and peelings are done to smooth out the relief of the dermis and smooth out post-acne marks. The list of recommended procedures includes:
- mechanical, laser or vacuum cleaning;
- chemical, acid peeling;
- ozone therapy;
- micro-resurfacing of skin.
To obtain noticeable results when treating acne on the forearm, several sessions may be needed. But the procedures have some contraindications, so a cosmetologist will help determine which method is more suitable after a preliminary examination.
Prevention of acne on the shoulders and forearms
The main preventive measures for the appearance of acne on the forearms include:
- regular hygiene care;
- using cosmetics according to your skin type;
- balanced diet;
- avoiding direct sunlight;
- healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits;
- timely treatment of concomitant diseases;
- wearing clothes made from natural materials.
If pimples or comedones appear on the forearm, you should consult a dermatologist. You cannot squeeze out acne on your own; this leads to increased inflammation and contributes to the spread of the rash over a large area. The most effective treatment will be complex treatment, including external remedies, diet and salon procedures. People with oily skin are recommended to undergo preventive therapy.
Acne-like rashes on the shoulders and forearms have become a common occurrence for many people. Inflammations not only look unattractive, but also indicate malfunctions of the body or serious illnesses. Ignoring the problem can result in an even greater spread of rashes to other parts of the body. To prevent this from happening, it is worth understanding the reasons and choosing the right therapy.
There are six types of rashes, which have different colors and may change in the future.
- Stains. Markings with a characteristic light pink or purple color.
- Nodules. A rash on the forearms in the form of small pimples or clearly defined tubercles. Cause pain on palpation.
- Bubbles. They resemble semicircles of different sizes containing liquid. Subsequently they disappear.
- Blackheads or acne. Appear as a result of inflammation of the sebaceous glands. They come in black and milky white. With age they disappear or transform into nodules.
- Ulcers. Pimples that grow in the upper layers of the epidermis. Pus appears in each cavity. The skin around the lesion turns red and the inflammation itches.
- Vesicles or blisters. They look like dense cavities that are filled with contents of various shades. After treatment, noticeable scars are left.
Factors of occurrence
The causes of rashes are varied. They are divided into three groups - infectious, internal non-infectious, external.
The first category includes: lichen, syphilis, viral diseases such as measles, rubella, chicken pox or herpes.
The second is characterized by: imbalance of microflora, diseases of the thyroid gland and blood vessels, malfunctions of the genitourinary system, and liver damage. Also, adolescents during puberty and pregnant women experience hormonal imbalances that provoke the appearance of acne.
The list of external factors is extensive. What could it be:
- Violation of personal hygiene rules.
- Squeezing pimples provokes infection and inflammation of comedones.
- Abuse of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food, which directly affects the condition of the skin.
- Lack of vitamins and minerals interferes with the proper function of organs.
- Stressful situations provoke intense production of hormones that are responsible for the sebaceous glands.
- The use of some cosmetic procedures causes irritation in the form of red dots.
- Excessive sweating caused by physical exertion and hot weather.
- Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Wearing tight, tight, or synthetic clothing makes it difficult for the skin to breathe and creates friction between the fabric and the upper layer of the epidermis.
- The presence of a mental disorder, which manifests itself in the form of involuntary itching.
- Taking medications for a long time.
- Exposure to allergens such as food, plants and animals, household chemicals, etc.
- Long hair makes it difficult for the skin to breathe.
Another reason for formations is a genetic predisposition, which often manifests itself in an infant in the first year of life.
Therapy
Excessive rashes on the back and shoulders are often harbingers of a destructive state of the body. Therefore, if a rash occurs, you should consult a dermatologist. After passing the necessary tests, the doctor will determine the nature of the disease and prescribe treatment. Complex therapy is the interaction of drugs for external and internal use that destroy the causes of the disease.
As has already been said, “the occurrence of pathological inflamed areas of the skin has a different etymology, therefore the therapy should be different.”
To improve the condition of the epidermis, the doctor prescribes ointments and gels, including:
- "Dalacin" is an antibiotic suitable for eliminating ulcers and redness from large areas of the body. However, the drug has a number of contraindications, and uncontrolled use is fraught with the appearance of scars after long-term use.
- Skinoren has an anti-inflammatory effect and removes skin redness.
- "Curiosin" is an antimicrobial agent that promotes tissue healing. Used to get rid of acne and purulent pimples.
- Vishnevsky ointment is suitable for healing wounds and infections, eliminates inflammation.
- Zinc is a time-tested drug with universal properties. Used to treat rashes in adults and children.
- Salicylic acid normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, regenerates and cleanses.
- Metrogyl destroys infections caused by microorganisms.
- “Badyaga”, due to its irritating effect, increases blood circulation, which promotes skin renewal. In addition, it cleanses the epithelium. It is used as an independent remedy or in combination with other drugs, enhancing their effect. It is not recommended to use in case of violations of the integrity of the skin and open wounds.
Despite their advantages, external medications, when used for a long time, can cause allergic reactions in both children and adults. Therefore, consultation with a doctor is mandatory.
Vitamin complexes help normalize the condition of tissues. “Aevit”, “Pentovit”, “Aerovit”, “Vitaminel” are well suited for this. The course is one month.
In case of allergies, irritation is relieved by taking Suprastin, Diazolin, Tavegil or other antihistamines.
For internal reasons, the specialist prescribes immunomodulators and hormonal agents. Treatment lasts for several months. Sometimes the disease does not go away without a trace, but only subsides for a while.
Baths based on medicinal herbs serve as concomitant therapy to pharmacological drugs. Decoctions of chamomile, celandine, yarrow, and string will help dry the skin. Compresses made from infusion of sage and birch buds will significantly reduce the appearance of acne. Plantain infusion is known for its disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is necessary to prepare the body before and after using baths or compresses. Before use, wash off any remaining ointments or gel, and at the end of the procedure, pat the skin dry with a soft towel or napkin.
Prevention
It is enough to follow simple rules so that an existence without itching and inflammation becomes the norm. A healthy lifestyle has never harmed anyone, so it is worth excluding foods with artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from your diet. Do not eat overcooked, spicy foods.
Use natural cosmetics. Remove clothes made from synthetic fabrics from your wardrobe. Quit alcohol and smoking. Pay attention to personal hygiene.
Change bedding every 1-2 weeks, do not use someone else's underwear. In addition, avoid stress and anxiety, since most diseases are associated with instability of the human central nervous system.
Conclusion
A rash on the shoulders and forearms is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that has internal and external causes. And if the former are sometimes difficult to get rid of, the latter can be avoided if certain conditions are met.
For many young girls and boys, and even older women and men, suffering from acne and rashes, acne is localized not only on the face. One of the many places of such localization is acne in the forearm, the causes and treatment of which we will discuss today Let's talk.
To get rid of such a problem, it is important to first find out what causes acne on the forearm, the causes of which are often simply a violation of some hygiene rules, or even in more serious cases, diseases of internal organs and disruption of their functions.
What causes a rash on the forearm in the form of small pimples?
All factors leading to the progression of acne rashes on the forearm can be divided into internal and external.
The first group includes:
- Digestive diseases and unhealthy diet;
- Endocrine disorders of hormonal production, both general and hormonal;
- Infectious skin lesions;
- Allergic reactions of the immune system to contact with histamines;
- Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking;
- Subcutaneous mite (demodex);
- Lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body.
It is possible to determine exactly one of the causes of these pathologies only after a series of tests, and if it turns out that acne on the forearm appeared for one of these reasons, you must first seek treatment for the primary disease, and then carry out acne therapy. Rashes in such cases are not considered independent diseases, but are considered a clinical manifestation. As a rule, after successful treatment of the underlying cause of acne, they disappear almost completely and permanently.
External causes of acne on shoulders
External causes include those factors that quickly disappear after changes in external influences on the skin.
The appearance of red or white pimples in the forearm area may be influenced by the following factors:
- Excessive ultraviolet radiation can have a negative impact on your skin if you take too much sunbathing and are exposed to the sun for more than 8 hours a day.
- Taking steroid drugs Drugs from this series are used in the treatment of kidneys and the immune system, which interfere with the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands.
- Using low-quality or unsuitable cosmetics for your skin type. Preference should be given to organic products designated as “organic cosmetics”.
- Mechanical damage such as cuts, abrasions, wounds.
- Wearing clothes made from artificial fabrics Synthetics prevent the skin from breathing, causing blockage of the sebaceous glands and the formation of comedones, which can subsequently become inflamed due to infection.
- Impact of stress and lack of sleep Insufficient time for rest and psycho-emotional overload negatively affects the regeneration processes of the epidermis and reduces the local immunity of the skin.
What is the difference between pimples and small rashes on the forearm?
First, the similarities: Pimples and small rashes can occur when your pores become clogged and irritated.
But acne, which is much more common around the world, develops when dirt or dead skin cells enter the oil duct of a pore, says Bruce Robinson, MD, a New York City dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Bacteria become trapped in the canal, causing irritation and inflammation, making the pimple red and inflamed.
(A rash of small pimples, also considered blackheads, is simply trapped dirt or dead skin cells without any bacteria or inflammation.)
On the other hand, a small rash on the forearm is formed when the sweat from the pores gets clogged with excessive amounts of sweat, forming small clear or red bumps that resemble a rash.
Dr. Robinson states that deeper blockages become inflamed, making forearm pimples red and inflamed. This inflammation can also make some feel itchy or prickly in nature.
Pimples are also often filled with white pus in the center of the pimple, and you may get several similar breakouts in this area of the forearm.
Why do you get pimples or small red rashes after working out?
Producing copious amounts of sweat is a major trigger for acne and red or white pimples. The more you sweat, the more likely it is that dirt or dead skin cells or sweat can clog your pores and cause acne inflammation, says Dr. Robinson.
Exercising in a humid environment can increase your risk of acne breakouts even more, as high humidity makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate from your skin.
Therefore, change your sweaty T-shirt immediately after training and do not delay taking a shower.
How can you prevent acne on your forearm?
Neither a pimple nor a heat rash are harmful or severely inflammatory for the skin, and both usually go away on their own within a few days, says Dr. Robinson. If they don't bother you, or you want to try a new treatment, you don't need to see a dermatologist.
But they can be ugly and irritating, especially if your pimple is sensitive or tender, or your heat rash is itchy.
Try swapping out a damp T-shirt for a new one periodically during your workout, recommends Dr. Robinson.
This will rid your forearm skin of a lot of sweat, dirt build-up on the surface of your skin, so it can't clog your pores and cause breakouts or heat rashes.
Dr. Robinson says you should remove your wet T-shirt as soon as you finish your workout, and don't wait until later to shower to prevent dirt or sweat from getting into your pores.
Take periodic breaks if you exercise in the heat or in a hot, humid environment such as a gym.
How can you treat pimples and small rashes on your forearm?
If you notice blemishes appearing after your workout, using acne and rash products containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help after your workout session, says Dr. Robinson.
Look for types that contain 2% salicylic acid or 5 to 10% benzoyl peroxide.
But talk to your dermatologist before using them, as they can irritate your skin if used incorrectly, says Dr. Robinson.
As for sweat pimple rashes, there is nothing you can do to make the spots disappear sooner. But if they itch, try using an anti-itch cream or lotion that contains cooling ingredients such as menthol and camphor, or a cream containing 1 percent hydrocortisone.
This should help relieve the itching and make your rash feel better.
By all means, see a dermatologist if you notice any pain or swelling, or if your heat rash has pus, as these symptoms could be signs of a more serious infection.