Body acne is described as acne which can be found anywhere on the body except for the face. It is particularly found on the back, shoulders, neck and chest. However, other areas can be affected by outbreaks, including the thighs and buttocks. The young and the old can suffer from this type of acne. Women approaching the menopause may suffer from hormone-related body acne. Acne may be mild or severe and it may also be painful. If left untreated, acne may lead to scarring.
When looking for a body acne treatment, it is vital to identify the type of skin you have. If your skin tends to be dry in some areas yet oily in others, your skin is described as combination skin. Acne is typically found on combination skin but it is not usually seen in individuals with very dry skin, unless it is related to a medical condition.
To treat acne found on the body, it is important to maintain a good standard of personal hygiene. Sweat tends to aggravate this kind of acne. However, if you wish to get rid of it, you will not be required to give up regular workouts. The best thing to do to alleviate acne is to shower straight after your workout and use anti-bacterial soap of mild strength. When drying yourself following a shower, take care not to rub your skin with the towel as this may spread the infection.
In order to aid the treatment of acne, clothing made from loose fitting, breathable materials should be worn. Cotton is an excellent choice of material. Synthetic fabrics will retain moisture and will suffocate the skin.
Stress is also a common and sometimes unavoidable cause of acne. To reduce stress, avoid excessive caffeine consumption. Limit caffeine consumption to 300mg per day.
Vitamin deficiencies may play a role in causing acne. If you think that a vitamin deficiency may be the cause of your acne, you should consult your Doctor before starting on any type of vitamin supplementation regime.
Many different types of medications exist for the treatment of acne. A body wash which contains benzoyl peroxide will aid a reduction in inflammation caused by mild acne. Vitamin A crèmes may also be prescribed. Severe boils or cysts may be treated with a form of antibiotic.
Natural treatments for acne of this kind include yogurt containing live active cultures. You can use plain yogurt and cornmeal to create a body scrub. Just mix 4 tablespoons of plain yogurt with 1 cup of cornmeal then spread this mixture over your skin and let it sit for approximately 20 minutes. Rinse off this mixture with lukewarm water and gently pat your skin dry. If you like yogurt, it may also be helpful to eat it on regular basis.
Further body acne treatment options can be found online or in your nearest health food store. In order to find an appropriate treatment, conduct some research and be prepared to give most treatments a try. If you are unable to tolerate products which contain harsh chemicals, several natural treatments are available for you to try.
