Did you ever come across painful pimples on scalp? Most certainly you though that it’s something weird and did your best not to mention it to your friends or family, as they may consider you a freak. The truth is that it is not something out of the ordinary, as many people deal with pimples on their scalps. So, you are not the only one in this situation. In most cases, pimples will appear along the hairline, as the hair follicles get inflamed. Called scalp folliculitis, this kind of pimples are similar to the ones produces by folliculitis in other parts of the body. Thus, they can be itchy, but can also be painful and uncomfortable. So, let us take a closer look into this matter and see it can be effectively solved.

Why do pimples emerge on the scalp?

Just like in the case of pimples on the face, or other skin areas, they emerge when follicles get clogged. On the scalp, the hair follicles can get clogged with dead skin cells, as the scalp also sheds, natural sebum produced by the scalp, and bacteria. Once the dead skin cells get trapped in the follicle, there’s no way they’re getting out of there, leading to the appearance of acne on the scalp. In the most severe cases, follicles are severely inflamed due to the presence of bacteria. When scalp acne becomes a serious problem, it can lead to scars as dark crusts form on the surface of the scalp. Besides the pain these crusts trigger, they will also lead to hair loss and empty scalp patches. Of course, these are the severe cases that should be managed by doctors. In most cases, each of us gets a pimple on the scalp, here and there, as a result of clogging with dead skin cells.

How to get rid of scalp pimples?

Most certainly painful pimples on the scalp are not something you want to have around for long. So, if you feel that you have a pimple on the scalp, it would be best not to pop it, as this can spread the infection and make things worse. To get rid of pimples on the scalp fast, you can use salicylic acid, the same type of treatment you would use on your face and other skin areas affected by pimples. You may also switch to using anti-dandruff shampoos that contain ketoconazole, like Nizoral for example, as this substance has anti-fungal properties that will keep your scalp free of infections. If you are looking for natural remedies, tea tree oil and jojoba oil are two natural substances you can use to fight scalp acne. Tea tree oil is known to have antibacterial properties, so it is a good thing to use when looking to get rid of pimples. Jojoba oil will not make pimples disappear, but if you add a few drops to your shampoo, this oil will minimize inflammation.

When special medication is needed

If you notice that your scalp pimples are not going away with traditional remedies, then you should address to your doctor before this becomes a serious problem. There are special prescription treatments that are meant to reduce the inflammation on the surface of your scalp. Creams with steroids, topical or oral antibiotics, light therapy, antihistamines, steroid injections, or even manual clearing of the pores, they can all be recommended by your doctor according to the severity of your scalp acne.

How to prevent pimples from appearing on the scalp

Be gentle with your scalp and you will minimize problems very effectively. This means to avoid picking your scalp pimples and cleaning your hair and scalp with regularity. Don’t allow dirt and debris to build up too much on your scalp, and pimples will stop being an issue. Gently massage your scalp with shampoo and warm water in order to remove dead skin cells, dust, and anything else that may clog the pores. Also, it would be recommended to avoid using styling products too often, as the chemicals contained by hair gels, sprays, waxes, mousses, and so on, can end up clogging the pores and causing troubles. If you still want to use styling products, look for products that do not contain comedogenic ingredients. Two of the most popular comedogenic ingredients contained by a wide variety of styling products are Laureth-4 and sulfates. To prevent the appearance of painful pimples on scalp, make sure that you use the right kind of shampoo for your hair type. Also, do not wash it with hot water and do your best to avoid frequent chemical treatments on your hair.