Acne is a skin condition that can show-up at any site. However, acne occurs quite commonly on your chest, shoulders, neck and face. Skin of humans has small-sized pores. When these pores are filled with dead cells or oil, it can lead to a blemish or zit. If such blemishes occur frequently, it can cause acne. But, why is my acne so itchy? It is worth your while to have needful inputs on it.
Scars of skin conditions like acne can lower your confidence levels and self-esteem. In some people, acne can result in depression. One good thing is: acne can be treated successfully. Various approaches are available for treatment, and for reducing scars. Typical signs of acne are: discoloration of skin, formation of spots or patches – due to hyperpigmentation, reddening, inflammation and softening of skin accompanied by pain.
Pores on skin lead to follicles deep within. Each follicle has an oil-secreting gland and a strand of hair in it. When follicles are making excessive amounts of oils, and when dead cells of your skin are stored-up in follicles, these cause microbial growth inside each follicle. This triggers a spell of acne.
Factors contributing to onset of acne are: changes in hormone levels – owing to puberty or pregnancy, endocrinal conditions like PCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome, smoking of tobacco products, disturbed sleeping cycles, living in stressful conditions, etc.
In some cases, excessive use of cosmetic products such as moisturisers and / or cleansers – especially those with oily ingredients, use of hormone-based contraceptives and meds like lithium can also cause episodes of acne.
Why is my acne so itchy?
Scratching the spots of acne can offer some interim relief; but scratching can only worsen your symptoms. Itchiness is a very other common sign of acne. It results due to rampant drying of skin-based cells and due to fiction in-between blocked pores. These lead to an itchy skin.
Apart from the above, exposure to sources of UV rays – such as sun’s rays, sweating profusely, and living in hot weather conditions can aggravate itchiness. Your skin turning itchy is one of the unmistakable signs of the recovery process. While acne gets cured reddened skin gets substituted by healthier and newer skin. This process is called exfoliation wherein your body sheds off older layers to make way for newer skin.
In essence, it is the dead and flaky cells on skin that cause itchiness. But how can you avoid scratching when tour skin itches? Foremost of all, stay away from direct exposure to sun’s rays, apply natural moisturiser such as aloe vera to reduce redness and drying-up of skin, use calamine solution and / or anti-histamine meds.
Talk to a dermatologist to know which moisturiser suits your skin well. People who scratch may experience scaring of skin; such scars show-up when a damage gets deeper, underneath your epidermis. It is also a good thing to wash your face with milder soap solution, preferably soaps that have a moisturiser in them, keep your hands dry and clean, and never touch the spots of acne.
Those who sweat more, and those who have allergies to a few substances such as benzoyl peroxide at a greater risk. Moreover, people who scratch on reddened spots may pierce or pop their pimples. Such practices can let microbes gain access to your pimples. Over a period of time, infections can spread over to various other sites on your skin. This may trigger a more intense outbreak of acne.
You need to ensure dryness of skin is at bay; you may use medicated lotions or creams, whenever your skin gets drier. It is a good practice to enhance humidity level at home by using a humidifier. Your dietitian will advise you of foods that are good for skin, and for follicular wellbeing. To know more on why is my acne so itchy, talk to your dermatologist.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Experience: 8 years of writing experience focusing on fitness, strength training, and cardiovascular health for multiple online fitness magazines and blogs.
