how many days pimple go away - #20434
I am 25 and lately, I've been dealing with this annoying pimple on my chin that just won't go away. It started out small but now it looks huge and red. I've tried all the over-the-counter stuff, you know, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, but nothing seems to work! My friends told me it might just take time, but that leads me to wonder, how many days pimple go away on average? I mean, it feels like I’ve had it forever! I don't remember having acne like this since high school, and even then it was nothing like this. Is there any typical timeframe when I should start worrying? Last time I got one like this, it was gone in four or five days. But man, it's dragging on this time and I'm frustrated about it! Should I see a doc if it doesn’t clear up soon? Do all pimples stick around the same amount of time? Any experiences you all have shared would be super helpful. Seriously, how many days pimple go away before I should think about getting something more serious? Thanks!
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Doctors’ responses
A pimple can typically take around 3 to 7 days to clear up, but it’s not unusual for it to hang around for as long as 14 days depending on several factors: severity, skin type, and how you’ve been treating it. Bear in mind, different types of acne respond differently to treatment. For instance, inflammatory acne like papules or cysts might take longer to resolve than simpler whiteheads or blackheads. Since you mentioned trying benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid without success, it’s possible the pimple might be more cystic, which can indeed last longer. An untreated, deeper cyst can sometimes persist. If it’s been more than two weeks and over-the-counter treatments aren’t doing much, it might be time to think about seeing a dermatologist. Prescribed options like retinoids, oral antibiotics, or other topical treatments could bring better results. Also, keep an eye out for worsening symptoms or if the pimple becomes painful, as these could be signs of an infection like acne fulminans — while less common, it’s something a doctor should take a look at. Try to avoid picking at or squeezing the pimple, tempting as it is, because that can prolong healing or lead to scarring. Make sure to hydrate well, avoid overly aggressive cleansing, and manage stress levels, as these can all be contributing. Essentially, while waiting might be okay for minor flare-ups, persistent or worsening issues deserve professional attention to rule out underlying skin problems and better tailor the treatment to your needs.
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