My question is I keep getting pimples / zits on the back of my head and all over on the side, this has been happening for YEARS, at this point Im 25 and I think it's time to find out what is wrong. It looks like it happens more when my hair is long, I use to have a nice clean cut hair, but some times I brake out with all this pimples and it really hurts to sleep.
Could anyone tell me what can be? or if theres something I can take to help this? I really dont have the time to go in to get check by a doctor or anything like that, but if it's my last option I guess I will have to do this.
Thanks everyone!
Having pimples on the back of the head is a painful and uncomfortable problem that affects many, according to this discussion, making them feel embarrassed about their appearance.
The member who replied first told that he could not figure out what causes these breakouts on the back of his head and sides, right behind his ears. He added that they're quite painful and make getting a hair cut kind of embarrassing. According to his own observation, the scalp creates sebum which can clog the pores and create breakouts.
I have been told to switch to a shampoo for oily hair, even though my hair itself is not oily.
This member was one of the many in this discussion who suggested changing a shampoo as the first logical step in the treatment of these bumps. One participant told that he found that the more he sweats the worse the problem gets, so he suggested everyone in this topic to try washing their hair every morning with a mild shampoo and then spray with a conditioner. He also suggested avoiding wax and gel as they make the bumps worse.
One participant reported trying the medical treatment that included different antibiotics prescribed to him by his dermatologist, but none of them helped.
Don't know what to do either, now I heard that honey helps.
Another participant who had the same problem for about 7 years, told that he found something that finally worked - a cheap OTC remedy used to treat razor bumps called "Bump stopper 2." This participant told that he put the product on in the morning after showering and then right before going to bed. His bumps started to clear up within 3 days.
One member provided detailed recipes for back bumps as well as those appearing on the face. Apparently, both methods helped him become "blemish free" for good. You can find those recipes inside the topic.
Many others who participated in the discussion suggested remedies and solutions, such as shampoos, lotions or ointments that (if worked) helped get rid of the bumps, but only temporarily.
To cure your pimples you must find what is causing them, remove the cause and they will simply go away.
This is true because bumps and other skin issues usually have the underlying cause, either the pores clogged by the dirt, some sort of infection or genetics. The participants in the discussion also tried to pinpoint the cause.
I asked my barber about this one day. He said excessive beer drinking causes those pimples.
The alcohol consumption was named as a possible culprit by many in this discussion. They reported worsening of the condition and flare-ups after drinking alcohol. Some, however, disagreed.
It's not alcohol. I am Mormon so I don't drink a drop. However, I have had bumps that show up fairly regularly on the back of my head for years.
For others, the problem was food, especially fatty, spicy, and junk food. The lack of sleep has been identified by several participants as well. Sweat was another problem named, especially if it collects at a particular spot, for example, under the heart rate monitor on my chest.
Surprisingly, one activity that causes a lot of sweating was named as the one that helps the most.
From personal experience, I've found that exercising, and not stressing out too much, can be very helpful.
Many recommended exercise, however, not vigorous, but moderate as a way to get rid of the pimples and bumps on the back of the head.
What do experts say?
Having pimples on the back of the head and neck is an uncomfortable, and often painful skin problem that can have many possible causes. This problem is also embarrassing for many, making them anxious about their physical appearance. The most common causes for pimples on the back of the head are acne, folliculitis, and razor bumps.
Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells, causing whiteheads, blackheads or pimples on the skin. While acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders, it is not uncommon for acne to develop on the back of the head and neck, especially around the nape of the neck.
The most common causes of acne are:
- Excess oil production
- Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
- Bacterial infection
- Fluctuating hormones, especially during puberty and menstruation, or excess activity of androgen hormones
Other factors that can cause acne include:
- Stress
- Cosmetics
- Sweat
- Diet
- Wearing scratchy or irritating fabrics
- Not washing the hair and neck, especially after exercising or sweating a lot
Treatment of acne depends on the cause. Most of acne and pimples can be self-treated at home. However, if this doesn't help, you may seek advice from the medical professional.
Folliculitis
Unlike acne that develops when hair follicles become clogged by oil and dead skin cells, folliculitis develops when hair follicles become inflamed, usually by a bacterial or fungal infection. In the beginning, folliculitis may appear as small red bumps or white-headed pimples surrounding hair follicles, which can later spread and turn into non-healing, crusty sores.
Folliculitis is most often caused by an infection with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. However, it may also be caused by viruses, fungi and even inflammation from ingrown hairs.
Follicles are most prominent on the scalp, although they can occur elsewhere on the body except the parts that have no hair follicles, such as soles, palms, lips or mucous membranes.
Treatment usually includes antibiotics or other medications depending on the cause.
Razor bumps
Razor bumps or pseudofolliculitis barbae is a common inflammatory condition and a type of folliculitis that occurs as a result of shaving, mainly in men of African descent or people with curly hair. The problem results when curved hairs grow back into the skin causing inflammation.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is most noticeable around the beard, nape of the neck and scalp, but it can occur anywhere hair is shaved or plucked (even in a pubic region).
A related condition, pseudofolliculitis nuchae, occurs on the back of the neck, often along the posterior hairline, when curved hairs are cut short.
Pseudofolliculitis causes small papules and pustules on the skin that can be confused with folliculitis. These papules and pustules can result in scarring.
Treatment may include:
- Cessation of shaving until all inflammatory lesions have cleared
- Warm Compresses
- Manual retraction of ingrown hair tips with a toothpick, or sterile needle, to release embedded hairs
- Medications for inflammation and secondary infection
- Permanent hair follicle removal by electrolysis or laser treatment
- A short course of prednisone may be necessary for resistant cases
Discussion highlights
What was diagnosed?
- When I was in grade school they thought I had lice and sent me home, but the doctor thought I had psoriasis.
- This happened two more times, over the course of about 9 months, and I had developed a colovesicular fistula (connection between the bowel and the bladder) which was due to the inflammation from the diverticulitis.
- He said it's a staph infection and prescribed Mupirocin Onintment USP 2 % When I ask him , " Why if it's a staph infection does it stay local to the back and sides of my head?" He said, " That was the point where my immune system would kick in and not let it spread further".
- I have this problem and I'm 81 ever since I was diagnosed with diabetics I found that if I say away from sugar it clears up.
- My dermo would tell me that it could be that I sweat from the back or that I cut my hair too short.
- I went to my Doctor and he diagnosed me with Ringworm.
- I recently got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and completely changed my diet.
- I went to skin especialist and he gave me medicine and I'e been taking it for about two years but it only helps it calm down but not go away.
- I went to a dermatologist and he gave me a shampoo in a red bottle that was mixed at the pharmacy that did not work and later I tried a topical cream and that also didn't work.
- My doctor gave me an antibiotic, doxycycline, which DID in fact get rid of them.
- It turned out to be diverticulitis.
- So finally I had surgery to remove a portion of colon where the diverticulitis was apparent, and had the fistula repaired.
- At my last visit the latest dr told me that it is hereditary and have asked my familiy members if they know of anyone that has had this problem.
- He told me to wash the area with "Hibiclens" (Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4 %) an antimicrobial skin cleaner and then apply the Mupirocin 2% as directed.
- The medication i was prescribed by my doctor its MINOCYCLINE 100 MG Capsules (Take 1 Capsule orally 2 times a day with food, every 12 Hrs, Watch Sun exposure) 3 Month Supply.
- I've been to the dermatologist and he prescribed doxycycline hyclate, which I quit taking due to the obvious fact that it's terrible in the long run.
- He suggested I might have to take it in maintenance doses for a very long time, which I was surprised to hear from a 'doctor.' Anyway, like all of you, I google'd a lot.
- My doctor prescribed me an anti-fungus medication and Lamisil.
Medications that helped
- Sulfex is a Sulfer antibiotic that works great too, and you do not build a tolerance for it.
- The doc also gave me antifungal/ hydrocortizone comb cream for my face, which worked wonderfully.
- My doc gave me benzaclin and its works great
- I gave up for several years and just recently went to another doctor who prescribed “Doxycycline Hyclate” which has worked wonders.
- My gastroenterologist gave me cipro and flagyl, which also caused my zit problem to dissappear.
- My doctor prescribed me an anti-fungus medication and Lamisil.
- Minocycline 100mg 2x a day works great, but I don't like to stay on it for too long because you can build a tolerance for that type of antibiotic.
- I have tried about 20 different shampoos (including presription), anti-biotics (pills/topical/etc), and even Neosporin.
- He also has me on Olux (sp?) a steriod for my scalp.
- The dandruff has been cured by the Anti-dandruff medicated shampoo 2 % from the dermatologist.
- they prescribed clindamycin topical solution and i use it twice daily or as needed.
- My doctor gave me an antibiotic, doxycycline, which DID in fact get rid of them.
- I've used with minor or no results neosporin and bacitracin.
- I use eastern medication called "blood purifiers" and this helps until I complete the medication but thereafter it's back to the same.
- He said it's a staph infection and prescribed Mupirocin Onintment USP 2 % When I ask him , " Why if it's a staph infection does it stay local to the back and sides of my head?" He said, " That was the point where my immune system would kick in and not let it spread further".
- He told me to wash the area with "Hibiclens" (Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4 %) an antimicrobial skin cleaner and then apply the Mupirocin 2% as directed.
- Hi I feel so sorry for everyone with this problem I have had the same problem since I was 18 and I am now 32 although I do find that minomycin tablets work & also clindatech which is a topical antibiotic only problem is once you stop taking it roughly about 3 weeks later they come back.I recently started using pro activ I use the toner and also the repairing lotion and it it has made it more comfortable but has not completely cleared them up.
- Take doxicycline capsules 100mg once a day for four weeks,started disappearing the third day and dont return
- The medication i was prescribed by my doctor its MINOCYCLINE 100 MG Capsules (Take 1 Capsule orally 2 times a day with food, every 12 Hrs, Watch Sun exposure) 3 Month Supply.
- The solution Is Mupirocin Bactroban, I got this from Philippines for 300 - 400 php.
- The antibiotics I have used are Purbac and tetralysal.
- I've been to the dermatologist and he prescribed doxycycline hyclate, which I quit taking due to the obvious fact that it's terrible in the long run.
- He suggested I might have to take it in maintenance doses for a very long time, which I was surprised to hear from a 'doctor.' Anyway, like all of you, I google'd a lot.
- He said it's not know how its transmitted but told me to buy over the counter Hibiclens and wash my scalp once a day with it.
Verification Claims & Medical Studies
-
He said excessive beer drinking causes those pimples.
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM152825.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1492602/ -
its a staph infection.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000686.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4552962/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16175036
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2807625/ -
is called Folliculitis keloidalis and it is very hard to get rid off.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keloid-scars/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821164/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372622/ -
Basiclly what I gather is that is an infection caused by the hair in growing through the pimple and the bacteria in your hair causes your spot/pimple to get infeceted.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3780801/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3719886/
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-1-4612-5457-7.pdf
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-3-540-69375-8.pdf -
google Acne Keloidalis Nuchae it will explain what you have and some possible remedies that might help
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3030213/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2922716/ -
peoples lives are ruined by a government bureaucracy that said you know what accutanes really dangerous for pregnant women lets make it a joke to get (even for men).
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057%2F9781137291523.pdf -
I solved it: too fast absorption of carbs: e.g oats, fruit sugars.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/sugar
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/food/foodscienceresearch/toolsmaterials/ucm483350.pdf -
The thing with dermatitis is that it is a fungal infection that attacks your oil producing glands, not bacterial.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK208/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/immune-system?viewAsPdf=true -
After doing a little research, I found that there is a correlation between Vitamin B-12 intake and acne on the scalp.
https://www.uhs.umich.edu/coldcankersores
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/ -
Cow Casein proteins are responsible for many issues that the human body negatively react to.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4642426/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3488907/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586534/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3969108/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03008252
In conclusion
Pimples on the back of the head and neck are a common and unpleasant problem for many people. The most common causes for these pimples include acne, folliculitis, and pseudofolliculitis.