1. What should you do when hair follicles are clogged?
Clogged hair follicles can lead to several 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
Losing weight is even more effective than using medication to clear clogged hair follicles. You may lose about 10% of your body weight to see the difference.
1.2. Quit smoking
Smoking does not cause clogged hair follicles but can irritate your skin. When you quit smoking, you will notice a significant reduction in clogged hair follicles.
1.3. Wear loose, comfortable clothing
Bruises on the skin often form in areas where the skin rubs together frequently, such as the armpits or the buttocks. Wearing tight clothing is a major factor contributing to more friction and irritation to your skin. Therefore, you should choose to wear loose clothing, including underwear, to reduce pressure on the bumps on the skin. You should choose clothes made from natural fabrics, such as cotton, instead of synthetic fabrics, such as nylon or polyester.
1.4. Try to keep your body sweat less
Clogs on the skin can flare up when your body gets too hot or sweats a lot. You can use antiperspirants to keep the area dry if you have clogged hair follicles in your underarms. However, you should be careful when choosing antiperspirants or lotions, as some contain chemicals that can irritate your skin. You should also consult your doctor about a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
1.5. Avoid shaving
Shaving your underarms or any other body area can clog hair follicles and cause acne. Talk to your dermatologist about gentler and safer hair removal methods for your skin.
1.6. Take better care of yourself
To prevent clogged hair follicles, you should incorporate some healthy lifestyle habits into your routine. They might be eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress.
1.7. Take some supplements
Consider taking supplements such as zinc, copper, vitamin B12, and niacinamide (vitamin B3). According to research, zinc supplements may help your clogged hair follicles. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements to ensure they are safe for your health.
1.8. Keep your skin clean
Clogged sweat glands can lead to infections if bacteria on the skin invade. Therefore, to avoid infection, you can try some of the following measures:
Clean your skin with antibacterial cleansers or apply some acne treatments to remove bacteria on the skin.
Bleach bath: Mix about 1⁄2 cup of bleach into the bath water. Soak your body (not your head) in the water for about 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
2. Some ways to relieve pain when the skin is irritated by clogged hair follicles
If the swelling on your skin is irritated and painful, you should try some of the following to feel more comfortable, including:
- Wet a towel with warm water or apply a warm tea bag to the irritated skin area for 10 minutes to reduce the swelling.
- If you have sores on your buttocks, you can soak in warm water 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 part of the treatment for clogged hair follicles or other skin problems. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help clear up your acne and prevent new acne from forming due to clogged hair follicles.
In addition, you should also contact your doctor if the treatment is ineffective and the swelling on your skin does not show signs of improvement.
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Reference source: webmd.com
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