Genital Acne & Genital Acne Treatment
Genital acne is one of the most embarrassing forms of acne around. Because it appears in a very sensitive area, it can very uncomfortable and much harder to treat than other acnes. However, as a dermatologist would be quick to point out when recommending a genital acne treatment, that it is not as a result of sexually transmitted diseases and is not contagious.
Other fallacies about genital acne include the misconception that it is as a result of bad hygiene. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, excess washing only aggravates the conditions and it is only treatable with medically prescribed topical ointments or creams, or pills.
The worst part about having genital acne is that underwear constantly rubs against the pimples, making them sore and more uncomfortable. Though the cause of the acne is as a result of overactive sebaceous glands producing excessive amounts of oil, allergies to detergents and abrasions from gym equipment can also irritate the skin enough to trigger an outbreak.
Genital acne results in blocked and sometimes infected pores and hair follicles that can result in blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts. The combined oil mixes with small particles, bacterium and dead skin cells to produce a hard plug. This can cause the pore or hair follicle to break, spreading infection into surrounding tissues. The resulting infection causes swelling, redness and a lot of pain. The deeper the infection or plug, the more painful it can be and the harder it is to treat. Athletes are amongst the most common sufferers, especially hockey and football players who have to wear tight fitting underwear for protection.
Genital acne treatment is best done by a dermatologist who can assess the severity of the acne, the type, and the type of medication required. In general terms, genital acne medications are no different to those for other types of acne.
The most common medications used to treat genital acne are oral because of the risk of allergic reactions to topical creams and gels. The dermatologist will also suggest avoiding harsh detergents, fabric softeners, goat milk soap, and fragranced cleansers. Other options for healing an outbreak and avoiding further outbreaks is by wearing looser fitting underwear or clothing.
Careful washing is important as the genitalia are more frequently washed than any other bodily area. Here is a dermatologist suggested regime to help heal and prevent outbreaks:
• Wash the genitalia only when needed, but no less than three times per day; if doing sports, then wash after exercising, too
• Use hands – bare and clean
• Use mild soaps or cleansers or as per a dermatologist’s instructions
• Do not rub or use face cloths
• Remove excess oils with unscented female/baby wipes
• Take a hot bath at least once per night until the outbreak has gone; revert to at least three hot baths/week
Dermatologists generally recommend the following medications for genital acne treatment:
• Isotretinoin/tazarotene/adapalene/tretinoin pills
• amoxicillin/sulfa/cefadroxil/tetracycline oral antibiotics
• contraceptive pills (women)
• cortisone (injections)
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