Pimples on scalp might not be as bothersome as those occurring on other parts of the body, especially obvious parts like face, but they can still cause discomfort and pain. Bumps that occur on the scalp can often be managed fairly easily and painlessly, but if they become severe, they may cause more serious problems, such as severe infection and baldness.
Although pimples on head can never be fatal (perhaps you think so because of the closeness of the pimple area to some vital organs of your body), they should be treated properly before they cause more serious problems.
What Causes Pimples on Scalp
Scalp is just one area of your body that has skin layer on it. Just like other body parts with skin, scalp is also prone to pimples, acne and other skin problems. Although there are some causes and risk factors that specifically trigger scalp pimple, in general, the condition’s causes and risk factors are the same with those of other types of acne. Here are several triggers that you should beware if you want to prevent pimples from destroying your scalp.
1. Folliculitis
Folliculitis or hair follicle inflammation is often considered a specific trigger for pimples, though it is actually not. Hair follicles are present everywhere on the body except on palm, so folliculitis can actually occur on any body parts where hair grows. However, because scalp has the densest hair growing on it, acne that are triggered by this condition are more likely to occur. Folliculitis is caused by infection of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, shaving accidents, tight clothing, dermatitis, skin injuries, and ingrown hair.
2. Fungal and viral infection
Besides bacterial infection, infection caused by fungi, such as T. rubrum and yeasts, and herpes simplex virus is also known to trigger acne.
3. Poor hygiene
Pimples emerge anywhere on the body where hygiene is poor, including scalp. The skin constantly produces oily secretion called sebum. When it reaches the surface of the skin, it will mix with bacteria that are already there, dirt and dead skin cells. The mixture will eventually clog the pores and cause inflammation.
4. Anemia
Anemia is sometimes categorized as a cause of chronic acne. Iron is an important mineral that maintains the overall health of various organs in the body, including skin. Anemia causes the body to lack necessary amount of iron in it, thereby triggering various problems that may occur in the body.
5. Other causes
It may also be caused by hormonal changes that occur during adolescence and stress, allergic reaction, bad diet, humidity, dangerous chemical exposure, and pollution.
By understanding the exact cause of pimple outbreak that occurs on your scalp, you can take the right measure to treat it.
How to Get Rid of Scalp Pimples
Home remedies made from natural ingredients are often considered the most effective remedies to get rid of pimple on scalp. Drugs that are taken orally, such as antibiotics, are often not effective if the cause of the pimples is, for example, fungal infection. If you want to cure your acne with home remedies, here are three best remedies that you can use.
1. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is considered an essential remedy for skin problems, including pimples, tea tree oil contains antiseptic that actively kills microbes that cause pimple outbreak and worsen it. Tea tree oil also expedites the healing process and dries out the acne sooner than you expect. To use tea tree oil to cure pimples in scalp, follow these steps.
- Use tea tree oil alone as a topical remedy. Use cotton ball to dab it on your scalp.
- Add tea tree oil to your regular shampoo and use the mixture to wash your scalp.
- Mix tea tree oil with other types of essential or fixed oil, preferably coconut or olive oil, and then use the mixture to massage your scalp.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is not only a potent moisturizer, but also a powerful natural agent to kill bacteria, to normalize pH level, and to reduce inflammation. To use aloe vera in your pimples on head scalp treatment, take the following steps.
- Extract the gel part of the plant and then use it as a topical remedy for your pimples.
- Mix aloe vera gel with lemon juice and then apply the mixture on the affected area. One perk of using aloe vera on your scalp is that your hair will be nourished as aloe vera is rich in nutrients beneficial for the hair.
3. Tomato juice
Tomatoes are excellent remedies for a large variety of skin conditions due to their pH balancing effect, rich salicylic acid content, and ability to reduce the production of sebum.
- Use tomato juice alone as a topical remedy. Apply the juice evenly on your scalp and then rinse it after about 10 minutes.
- Mix tomato juice with honey and lemon juice and then use the mixture to cure your acne. The healing effect of the juice will be boosted significantly by the other two ingredients.
Prevention
If you are already familiar with the causes, the best way to prevent them is by avoiding their triggers. Keep your scalp hygienic and properly nourished, maintain proper diet and supply your body with health-improving vitamins and minerals, and stay away from stress and allergens. If the trigger of the pimples is something that you cannot avoid, such as hormonal change, be sure to treat your pimples right away after they emerge to prevent them from getting worse.
Scalp acne, no matter how painful and troublesome they are, are not fatal and can actually be managed if you know their triggers and how to avoid those triggers. The three home remedies that you read here are proven to be reliable remedies that get rid of your pimples fast without causing unwanted side effects. Whenever you are dealing with painful or itchy scalp pimples, you should already know which measure to take to make sure that your pimples will disappear soon.
