Body Acne

Body Acne, I know this isn't a pleasant topic, but has anyone out there suffered from this?  If so, how did you treat it?  Had some on the underarm area, but changing deodorants cleared it up, but now am suffering on my inner thighs and wearing fall clothing has made it unbearable. 

Any suggestions?

Also everyone has told me that loosing weight is the answer, but most of the weight is carried around the thigh area and that is the hardest place to loose it and I need relief soon.

Thanks in advance. 

Hi beachwalker...

I've never heard that losing weight would reduce body acne...??  Are you sure the acne on ur inner thighs aren't razor bumps?  If so maybe try to replace ur razor more frequently.  I get that too if I use an old razor.  I know that the thights rubbing together can cause bumps there.  Do you use lotion there?  Maybe dust some baby powder around the parts that you seem to be moist/have acne?  (but DO NOT get it near your naughty bits!  i've done that, and it causes problems!!)

My bf gets it on his back sometimes because he sits around after working out instead of showering right away.  I think that may cause his.  Do you get super sweaty and stay like that for a while?

well i know i haven't been TOO much help but i hope it's a start!  good luck!

Hey, I had really bad back acne for many years.  Over the past year it has started to clear up so it's bearable but not great.  I also suffer from terrible acne on my FACE.  Ugh, I'm 22 I don't feel like I should still be suffering this bad.  I realize that everyone gets one here or there even when they are 50 but this is ridiculous.  Since, April I have been taking prescription to clear it up.  My doc said there wasn't anything wrong that I was doing and it was purely hormonal.  I had too much estrogen or something like that.  So I have been taking minocycline.  It has been working great.  It is a form of penicillin so if you suffer from yeast infections, watch out.  Also, it can be very expensive if you don't have a drug plan.  My doc explained it as the mercedes benz of acne meds.  On top of my face clearing up, my back has totally cleared up.  I realize prescriptions aren't an option for everyone, but I hope this helps!

body acne is on the back, chest, and neck...  i've had body acne before (during puberty) on my back, chest, and it evetually cleared up on it's own (after puberty), but during those yrs i had been seeing a dermatologist and they had given me prescription creams and some pills too. 

what you have sounds like something else, in my opnion.  more like razor burn, or maybe an allergic eraction...  but either way, you should see a dermatologist:they can tell you exactly what's happening and how to treat it.

good luck!

I always go straight to About.com, CC's parent company, when I have health questions.  Click on the About.com Health logo at the top of the page and use the search engine.

I found this very interesting article

Acne Prevention Vitamins

Also, you need to consider something else - maybe it's not acne, but another skin condition.  If you can, see a dermatologist.

my sister in law actually gets breakouts from fragrance in detergents. Maybe switch to a non-fragrance. Also I get small break outs on my legs too. I also get black heads on them every once in a while. Im obsessed with checking my legs. They could also be infected hairs, just take some tweezers and pull the hair in the middle out then wash the area. My b'f gets them alot on his legs b.c of the hair. My back breaks out now and again but their all just clogged pours from working out not huge pimples. I lucked out, out of me and my 2 brothers I have the clearest skin.

Also, it could be ingrown hairs, more than acne.

I get that sometimes on my arms and legs, and the best thing I can do for it is scrub. I have a loofah (they work great!) or I use a salt scrub, every time I shower I give my arms, legs, and back a light scrub.

Using a washcloth and soap doesn't have the same effect - it doesn't take off the dead skin cells, or loosen the body hair.

You won't have an immediate effect with this, but over a week or two, it should be noticeable.

Hi beachwalker

I'm afraid it sounds like you have Hidradenitis Supprativa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidradenitis

A condition that manifests underarm/inner thighs/buttock region and even under the breasts.

I have this condition and to date, I have not found anything that gets rid of it. I apply talc powder to the areas to try and keep them dry, as it is a sweat gland problem.

I hope for your sake it is NOT this condition (very awful) but it may well be.

If what you read on Wiki sounds similar to what you have.. feel free to message me to talk about it further.

AAAAaaaaaand I just told the world about my skin condition. Oh well :)

Retrovert, I think your diagnosis is the correct one, unfortunately.  The doctor had prescribed an acne cream, but it is not working.  Thanks to everyone for the responses.  Reading wikipedia hit home, it is embarrassing and most people go undiagnosed because they are too embarrassed to tell their doctor.  

Thanks again everyone. 

beachwalker:

I understand 100% what you are going through. It took me 10 years to summon up the courage to show my doctor - but by that stage I had already self diagnosed by the power of the internet.

Best of luck dealing with this, I know how simple awful it is.

Mine comes in waves, so I only have about 2-3 bumps for about a week, and then nothing for a couple of months, so I really hope yours is not severe at all.
There is also an MSN support group which helps to feel like you're not alone!

Feel free to message/friend/add whatever me.