Scalp Acne
Acne is a skin disease that may occur on the face and any part of the body. It can also crop up on the scalp but it will not be easy to put topical treatment since hair gets in the way. This hair and scalp disease is less noticeable since the hair covers it. There are people who get pimples on the scalp and they just ignore them. Lesions caused by scalp acne can be sore and tender but within a week or so, they just heal on their own.
Our hair follicles have oil producing sacs called sebaceous glands that is connected to it. It produces oil known as sebum that maintain moisture and provide protection for the hair and skin. But for some reasons the pore openings of the hair shaft can be clogged up thus preventing the oils to reach the surface which eventually will build up and flood the adjoining areas of the hair follicle causing it to swollen.
When the oil cannot exit the hair shaft at the right time, the hair follicles might be infected by a bacterium called as Propionobacterium Acnes. This bacterium could thrive and prosper by consuming the locked sebum inside the hair follicle. This is when the body’s immune system reacts by sending white blood cells to destroy the bacteria. This will then leave a heap of white blood cells, dead bacteria and other chemicals that cause pustules, redness and swelling to the affected part.
Not treating scalp acne effectively and promptly can cause permanent scarring due to the inflammation that can spread to the surrounding skin creating cysts known as nodules.