pimple areas and causes - #21926
I am dealing with this weird situation where I keep getting pimples in really odd places. Like, why would I even have pimples in my ear? It’s frustrating because I wash my face regularly, and I even try to keep my skin clean! I’m doing some research on pimple areas and causes, but it's hard to sort through all the info online. My forehead is like, the usual, right? But these little bumps are popping up on my arms too! I’ve tried different face washes and even cut down on dairy since I've read that can cause breakouts. But I’m confused—are there specific pimple areas and causes I should be focusing on? I feel like stress is a factor too, because work has been crazy. Do stress pimples show up in certain areas? And what about hormonal changes? I’m kinda thinking that when my cycles are off, so is my skin. Anyone else deal with this? What did you find helped? I'm just looking for some solid info about pimple areas and causes that might point to what I’m doing wrong. Any advice would be super helpful! It’s getting a bit overwhelming, honestly.
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Doctors' responses
It sounds like you’re dealing with quite a bit of frustration regarding unexpected pimple outbreaks in unusual places. To narrow it down, let’s look at some of the more common reasons and areas that pimples can develop. While face is a typical area, pimples can show up on different parts of the body due to unique factors. In your case, having pimples in places like ears might be related to factors like clogged pores or excess oil buildup. Make sure you’re not just cleaning your face, but also ensuring your environment, like hair products or pillowcases, aren’t contributing to oil accumulation that affects ears. Arms, while less common for typical acne, can get small bumps due to conditions like keratosis pilaris—not truly acne but involves rough skin presentation. For the forehead, commonly linked to hair oils or products, and stress can exacerbate oily skin and breakout zones by increasing cortisol levels. Also consider frequency and pattern of sweeping your hair away. Hormonal fluctuations certainly play a role, often affecting the lower face or jawline area, but stress and hormones may overlap in influence. You’ve taken good steps with adjusting diet and face washes, but pinpointing specific triggers can require some trial and error. If stress is a trigger, incorporating stress-management techniques like regular exercise or adequate sleep might offer further help. Over-the-counter topical treatments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid could be considered for spot treatments on different areas, although if over-the-counter solutions don’t suffice, visiting a dermatologist could provide targeted treatment, especially if hormonal factors are suspected. A healthcare provider can make a more personalized diagnosis and treatment plan which might be required if these approaches aren’t yielding significant benefits.
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