A pimple is a small pustule or papule. Pimples develop when sebaceous glands, or oil glands, become clogged and infected, leading to swollen, red lesions filled with pus. Also known as spots or zits, pimples are a part of acne. They are most likely to occur around puberty, but they can happen at any age.
Overproduction of oil and a build-up of bacteria contribute to pimples. Areas of the skin that have the largest number of functional oil glands, such as the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders, are often affected.
Symptoms
- Crusting of skin bumps.
- Cysts.
- Papules (small red bumps)
- Pustules (small red bumps containing white or yellow pus)
- Redness around the skin eruptions.
- Scarring of the skin.
- Whiteheads.
- Blackheads.
Common causes of Pimple
Pimples can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include hormone changes during puberty or tight clothes that rub against the skin such as turtlenecks, helmets and shoulder pads.
Pimples are a common, usually harmless, type of skin lesion. They happen when your skin's oil glands make too much oil called sebum. This can lead to clogged pores and cause pimples. Pimples can take as long as six weeks to go away, but smaller, single pimples may take only a few days to disappea.
How long do pimples last?r.
Hard pimples can be more difficult to remove than other kinds, as they tend to be larger and deeper. They are often blind pimples, which means they do not have a head.
Risk factors for developing acne
Myths about what contributes to acne are quite common. Many people believe that foods such as chocolate or French fries will contribute to acne. While there’s no scientific support for these claims, there are certain risk factors for developing acne. These include:
hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy
certain medications, such as certain birth control pills or corticosteroids
a diet high in refined sugars or carbohydrates, such as bread and chips
having parents who had acne
People are most at risk for developing acne during puberty. During this time, your body undergoes hormonal changes. These changes can trigger oil production, leading to an increased risk of acne. Hormonal acne related to puberty usually subsides, or at least improves when you reach adulthood.
Treatment
Treatment can include topical creams or oral medication.
Depending on the severity of a pimple, a person may be able to treat it at home; sometimes a pimple requires medical treatment.
To treat a hard pimple at home, a person can use the following methods:
- Creams and ointments. The American Academy of Dermatology recommend over-the-counter creams that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur.
- Warm compress. A warm compress can soften the spot, allowing pus to come to the surface. It can help also help a blind pimple come to a head.
- Ice packs. Using an ice pack is a good way to reduce inflammation and pain. Ice may be especially effective for hard pimples, such as nodules and cysts.
- Cleansers. Some studiesTrusted Source have found non-soap cleansers to be better at treating acne than traditional soap.
- Tea tree oil. A study from 2007 suggested that, compared to a placebo, tea tree oil was 3.5 times more effective in reducing the number of acne lesions and 5.75 times more effective at reducing the severity of an outbreak.
- Vitamin-based creams. The data on how well these products work is not conclusiveTrusted Source, and the concentrations of active ingredients, such as retinol or zinc, can vary between products.