WHAT YOUR SCALP PIMPLE REALLY IS
You wake up and begin your morning routine, only to notice a sore, red bump making itself right at home on your body. No matter where they pop up, those pimples are not welcome. But the most underestimated spot a pimple-like bump can make an appearance is your scalp… I can almost guarantee you know what I mean.
I asked the girls at kaia HQ if they had ever experienced scalp pimples. Half of them admitted to getting odd pimples on their head here and there but had never really looked into it. If there’s one good thing about scalp pimples, it’s that you don’t see them, which is probably why they don’t get talked about enough! Although that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Find out why below!
THEY'RE MORE THAN JUST SCALP PIMPLES
A scalp pimple is actually not a zits, but an infection of the hair follicle called folliculitis.
Infection? Sounds really intense, but rest assured, dermatologists say they are very common as most of us may experience folliculitis at some point in our lives.
Researchers from the National Center of Gerontology says it is very easy to misdiagnose folliculitis because it has very similar clinical symptoms to acne. In order to properly diagnose and treat, it’s important to know what they look like.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR SCALP PIMPLE IS FOLLICULITIS?
These infections mimic acne but can become little pustules (small bumps that contain fluid or pus). If you feel a bump on your scalp, or have itchiness or soreness, part your hair in a way where you can get a good look at the area. If it’s on the back of your head, ask someone to help you take a look. Look for small red acne-like bumps with a small ring of inflammation around the hair follicle. They can sometimes also look like a white-headed pimple on the head, around the hair follicle.
CAUSES OF FOLLICULITIS
HERE'S HOW TO AVOID SCALP PIMPLES
According to a medical journal by the University of Lübeck, lessening a load of staphylococci bacteria on the scalp is avoiding and treating folliculitis.
Controlling oil production on your scalp is also important in order to prevent the staphylococcus bacteria from growing and causing infections.
TIP: Using an aerosol-free, natural dry shampoo overnight will help soak up excess oil on your scalp. However, avoid product build-up and clogging hair follicles by only using the best powder dry shampoo 1 to 2 times in between washes. Click here to learn more about how to use dry shampoo the right way.