Clogged hair follicles: What to do?

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When hair follicles on the skin become blocked, it can lead to inflammation of the sweat glands (HS), causing discomfort and pain. To prevent and improve clogged hair follicles, you should make some small changes in your lifestyle and daily routine.

1. What should you do when the hair follicle is blocked?

Clogged hair follicles can lead to a number of skin problems, such as acne or bumps on the skin. To prevent and improve this condition, you can follow some simple tips below:

1.1.Losing weight

Weight loss is even more effective than using drugs to clear clogged hair follicles. To notice a difference, you can lose about 10% of your body weight.

1.2. Quit smoking

Smoking doesn't clog hair follicles, but it can irritate your skin. When you quit smoking, you will notice a significant reduction in the number of clogged hair follicles.

1.3. Wear comfortable and loose clothing

Skin bumps often form in areas where the skin rubs together frequently, such as the armpits or between the buttocks. Wearing tight clothing is a major contributor to more friction and irritation to your skin. Therefore, you should choose to wear loose-fitting clothes, including underwear, to reduce pressure on the bumps on the skin. Choose clothes made from natural fabrics, such as cotton, instead of man-made fabrics like nylon or polyester.

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1.4. Try to keep your body less sweaty

Clogged hair follicles can flare up when your body gets too hot or sweats a lot. If you have acne breakouts due to clogged hair follicles on your underarms, you can use some antiperspirant to keep the area dry. However, you also need to be careful when choosing antiperspirant creams or lotions as some contain chemicals that are more irritating to your skin. Also, consult your doctor about a gentle, fragrance-free skin cleanser.

1.5.Avoid shaving

Shaving under the arms or any other area of the body has the potential to clog hair follicles and form acne. You should talk to your dermatologist about how to remove hair that is gentler and safer for your skin.

1.6.Take better care of yourself

To prevent flare-ups of hair follicle blockages, it's a good idea to incorporate some healthy habits into your lifestyle. This usually includes adopting a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress.

1.7.Using Some Supplements

You can consider taking some supplements such as zinc, copper, vitamin B12 and niacinamide (vitamin B3) for the body. According to research, zinc supplements can help with your clogged hair follicles. Accordingly, you should talk to your doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement to make sure it is safe for your health.

1.8.Clean skin

Clogged sweat glands can lead to an infection if bacteria on the skin get in. So, to avoid an infection, you can try some of the following measures:
Clean your skin with an antibacterial cleanser or apply some acne treatment to get rid of the bacteria on the skin. Bleach bath: You can mix about 1/2 cup of bleach in your bath water. Then soak (don't soak your head) in the water for about 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse with warm water and pat skin dry. SEE ALSO: Factors that easily cause folliculitis

2. Some ways to relieve pain when the skin is irritated due to blocked hair follicles

If the bumps on the skin are irritated and causing you pain, you should try some of the following to make it more comfortable, including:
Wet a towel with warm water or use a tea bag Apply warm compresses to the irritated area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. If you have sores on your buttocks, you can soak in a warm bath for 10-15 minutes. Use some over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.

3. What to do when home remedies don't work?

Home remedies are only one part of your treatment for clogged hair follicles or other skin problems. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help clear up your breakouts and prevent new ones from forming due to clogged hair follicles.
Besides, you should also contact your doctor if the treatment does not work and the swelling on the skin does not show any signs of improvement.
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Reference source: webmd.com

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This article is written for readers from Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.