When people think of acne, most often they think of pimples on the face. However acne does not always affect the face. Sometimes acne is found on different parts of the body such as the arms, chest, back, legs, shoulders, etc. The arms and back are very popular when it comes to acne outbreaks and can be quite uncomfortable for anyone that has ever had to deal with a bad case of acne in that area. It can make it uncomfortable and embarrassing to wear certain types of clothes such as tanktops.
Sometimes people who suffer from acne on the arms do so because their skin has become irritated from sweat. Perhaps they exercised and then didn’t shower right away afterward. If your skin is already broken out in acne and sensitive, sweating can irritate it causing it to become inflamed and leaving the pores open for bacteria to enter and cause more acne to occur.
Another main cause of arm acne is friction. Excessive rubbing of the skin can irritate acne and even cause new acne to occur. To try and limit or eliminate friction from occurring try to wear loose fitting clothes so that your clothing is not rubbing up against your skin. If you are carrying a book bag or purse don’t let the strap cling to your arms or shoulders too tightly as it will cause irritation.
If you are having an allergic reaction to something your arms will break out. It could be anything from a laundry detergent or softener that you used when doing laundry, a soap or shampoo that you used to bathe with, dryer sheets, a chemical you may have spilled on your skin while cleaning, etc. All of these things and many more can cause great irritation to the skin and cause acne to form as a result. If you think that you are having an allergic reaction to something that has touched your skin then you should wash your skin with warm water and mild soap and then seek medical attention if necessary. Some chemicals etc. can cause serious damage to the skin and our bodies.
The arms are in an area that contain more sebaceous glands than the rest of our body. This means that there is more oil and a greater chance of hair follicles on the arms to become clogged with dead skin cells thus causing acne to form and become irritated.
Hormones such as Androgen and Estrogen
Androgens are a type of male hormone that can cause acne to appear in places like the arms and back. These hormones make the sebaceous glands larger and produce more oil causing follicles to clog up and form acne.
Estrogen is a female hormone that also has an effect on acne. When women have their period estrogen levels fluctuate, which can cause acne to flare up and worsen. Some women take birth control to try and prevent acne from forming during this time, however for others who take birth control it has the opposite effect and actually irritates their acne more.
If you have acne on your arms then you know what a pain it can be! The good news is that you don’t have to suffer with it forever! There are a lot of different things that you can do or different treatments that you can try to help prevent acne from occurring and eliminate the acne you already have. The first thing that you can do is wear loose fitting clothing. Shirts that cling to your body too much will cause friction and a build up of sweat, leading to acne formation. So the next time you go to put on that tight fitting t-shirt reconsider.
Whatever you do never scratch, pick, pop, or squeeze the acne that is on your skin! Although it may seem to make the appearance of acne less noticeable temporarily, in the long run it is making it worse. This is because when you pick at acne it leaves the pores open for bacteria to get in them and become clogged. This then causes more acne to form in and around the already affected area. So remember the next time you are tempted to scratch, by doing so you could be multiplying your acne problem to double what it is now.
If you are an active person who exercises a lot then always make sure that you shower afterwards. This will help to keep your skin clean from sebum and sweat. Taking a shower will also take care of any dead skin cells. Make sure that you clean your arms well and dry them after your shower and that you change into a new and clean set of loose fitting clothes afterwards.
Treating the acne on your arms with non topical medications such as one that contains the ingredient Benzoyl Peroxide usually tends to be effective in the treatment of acne. Try to remember that Benzoyl Peroxide has been known to bleach clothes, fabrics, etc. and in some cases irritate skin. Being diagnosed by a dermatologist before treating yourself is always a helpful tip to follow as well as they can help decide which type of treatment and medication is right for you and your skin.
Never scrub your arms if they are already broken out in acne. This will only irritate them more and make it worse. Avoid using scrub brushes or loofas. The rough material of these irritates skin and can even make it break open and bleed, leaving it open for bacteria to enter and causing the formation of new acne to occur.
When you shower don’t get the water super hot as the heat will most likely cause your skin to become inflamed, irritated, and itchy. Also, never dry yourself off roughly with a towel after a shower or bath. Instead pat your skin gently until you are completely dry. If you follow these few steps to preventing and treating acne on your arms you should be well on your way to an acne free life in no time at all!
