The back is one of the most common places people have severe acne breakouts. There are four types of acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne conglobata is characterized by deep abscesses. Acne fulminans are painful lesions that co-occur with inflamed joints. Gram-negative folliculitis is when your hair follicles become inflamed by a bacteria infection. Nodulocystic acne is characterized by large cysts occurs in widespread formation on your back. Severe acne will require the help of a skin care specialist.
Step 1
Clean your back twice a day with a gentle, foaming cleanser. At the end of the day, completely wash off all cover-up, sunscreen, moisturizer and other skin care products. Also wash your skin after exercising, especially if you've broken a sweat.
Step 2
Visit with your physician to see whether antibiotics are appropriate. Hadley King, dermatologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, explains that your doctor can prescribe an oral antibiotic for severe acne to kill the bacteria causing you the inflammation in your back acne. Isotretinoin, another prescribed medication, may also be used to reduce oil production by the sebaceous glands, clear pores clogged with bacteria, dead skin cells and oil and soothe inflammation.
Step 3
See whether corticosteroid injections from your physician, which can reduce inflammation in the nodules on your back, are appropriate for your condition.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about undergoing drainage and surgical excision if your breakouts have not responded to medication. You will need to go to your doctor's office for the procedure.
Step 5
Launder your shirts after your wear them. It's important to keep your skin clean, and worn shirts can harbor oils from your skin.
Tips and Warnings
- When washing your back, avoid scrubbing and using harsh soaps. Womenshealth.gov explains that this can irritate your skin and increase inflammation. If you wear cover-up on exposed areas of your back to hide lesions, only use makeup that is non-comedogenic, meaning that it does not cause acne.
- Medications used to treat severe acne can increase your chances of getting sunburned; wear appropriate sunscreen. Review the possible side effects of Isotretinoin with your doctor if you are prescribed the medication. Attempting to drain and extract acne yourself could cause infection, irritate your lesions more and lead to scarring.
Member Comments