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Tag: American Academy of Dermatology

  • How to treat a deep, painful pimple at home

    How to treat a deep, painful pimple at home

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    Newswise — ROSEMONT, Ill. (October 18, 2023) — Acne can be bothersome, especially when you have a deep, painful pimple, which is caused by nodular or cystic acne. Unlike other forms of acne, such as whiteheads or blackheads, acne nodules and cysts develop deep under your skin.

    “You often can feel nodular acne or cysts more than you can even see them on your skin” said Jacqueline Watchmaker, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Ariz. “Although it might be tempting, keep your hands off your face. Do not try to pop a deep, painful pimple. Picking at or squeezing an acne nodule can make it more noticeable and increase your risk of infection, discoloration, especially if you have darker skin, and scarring.”

    Dr. Watchmaker and the AAD recommend people with a deep, painful pimple follow these additional tips for at-home treatment:

    After a pimple forms, apply a warm, damp washcloth to try to bring the pimple to a head. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then apply the warm, damp washcloth to your pimple for 10-15 minutes, three times daily. This will help the deep pimple move closer to your skin’s surface so it can heal. Make sure to use a clean washcloth every time, and resist popping the pimple.

    Treat your pimple. Topical medications are more effective when the pimple is at the surface of the skin. Choose a product that contains one of these acne-fighting active ingredients: adapalene, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Apply a thin layer, as using too much can irritate your skin. Additionally, a hydrocolloid acne patch can be applied to protect your skin and improve healing. You can find these products over the counter at your local drugstore.

    Protect your skin from the sun. Some acne-fighting ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Also, whenever there is inflammation in the skin, such as an acne bump, there is a risk for darkening of the skin (known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). This risk is increased if you do not protect your skin from the sun. Seek shade, wear sun-protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection, and apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. Look for the words “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores” to find the right sunscreen for your acne-prone skin.

    “If your deep, painful pimple doesn’t go away after following these tips, or if you develop multiple deep, painful pimples, partner with the acne expert, a board-certified dermatologist,” said Dr. Watchmaker. “A dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications to help treat your acne. Additionally, in-office injections can sometimes be used to more quickly treat a large, painful, acne bump.”

    These tips are demonstrated in “Treating deep, painful pimples: Dermatologist tips,” a video posted to the AAD website and YouTube channel. This video is part of the AAD’s “Your Dermatologist Knows” series, which offers tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair, and nails.

    To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm.

    # # #

    More Information

    Adult Acne Treatment Dermatologists’ Recommend

    Acne: Tips for Managing

    Treating Acne? Is It Time to See a Dermatologist?

    About the AAD

    Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 20,800 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care because skin, hair, and nail conditions can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow @AADskin on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube and @AADskin1 on Instagram.

    Editor’s note: The AAD does not promote or endorse any products or services. This content is intended as editorial content and should not be embedded with any paid, sponsored or advertorial content as it could be perceived as an AAD endorsement.

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    American Academy of Dermatology

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  • Can air quality affect skin health? A dermatologist explains as more Canadian wildfire smoke hits the U.S.

    Can air quality affect skin health? A dermatologist explains as more Canadian wildfire smoke hits the U.S.

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    As Canadian wildfire smoke continues to blanket parts of the U.S. and endanger the health of millions of people, experts say there is an organ that requires just as much attention as your lungs: your skin.

    “Pollution can damage the skin by a lot of the same mechanisms that UV radiation can,” Dr. Shayan Cheraghlou, a resident dermatology physician in New York City, told CBS News. “That’s by generating reactive oxygen species that can cause premature aging of the skin, [and] can exacerbate underlying skin conditions like eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions.”

    Reactive oxygen species, according to the National Cancer Institute, are a “type of unstable molecule” that can damage DNA. Recent studies cited by the American Academy of Dermatology found wildfire smoke is associated with an increase in patient visits for skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.

    “Your skin is one of your first line defenses against the environment,” Cheraghlou said.

    Who is most at risk for skin issues stemming from poor air quality?

    Experts say those with compromised skin barriers should be especially vigilant, such as older people and eczema patients.

    “Older patients already have fewer lipids in their skin layer,” Cheraghlou said. “It can get more burdensome for them and cause more problems.”

    What can you do to protect your skin from smoke?

    Creating a barrier between your skin and the unhealthy air is essential, according to Cheraghlou.

    “When the pollution is there, it’s even more important to consider that you have a strong barrier protection, and that means moisturizing your skin regularly,” he said. “Of course, you can’t forget your sunscreen. Just because it’s cloudy or because there’s pollution doesn’t mean that the sun’s UV [rays] can’t penetrate down and reach you.”

    Besides moisturizing and putting on sunscreen, staying inside is another good option, Cheraghlou said.

    “If you don’t need to be outside, if you do have one of these conditions that does compromise your skin barrier, it may be better to avoid doing so when pollution levels are as high as they were a couple of weeks ago, back here in New York City,” he said.

    How do you repair the damage already done to your skin because of air pollution?

    Although Cheraghlou recommends focusing on prevention, he says there are some products that can help repair damaged skin and even further build up strong barrier protection.

    “You can use topical antioxidant serums, like vitamin C serums or vitamin E serums,” he said. “These help to scavenge those reactive oxygen species up and help prevent some of that damage from occurring in the first place.”

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  • New Study: Increase in Skin, Hair, and Nail Supplement Use Despite Risks

    New Study: Increase in Skin, Hair, and Nail Supplement Use Despite Risks

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    New research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that use of hair, skin, and nail supplements has nearly doubled in recent years. Of the 40,959 study participants, the supplement users were more often younger (20-39 years-old) and female.

    Despite the rapid growth, there is limited data to support hair, skin, and nail supplement use. In fact, there can be significant risks: 

    • Biotin, one of the most common supplements, can interfere with thyroid and cardiac function testing.
    • Heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium, have been found in best-selling collagen supplements.

    In addition, there are numerous safety concerns, including nutrient “overdosing”, lack of warning labels, and quality issues. The use of health-related claims without adequate evidence, such as “promotes younger looking skin”, may also mislead consumers. 

    People who are using or considering using skin, hair and nail supplements should consult with a board-certified dermatologist to learn about their risks and benefits. I’d be happy to set up an interview with Dr. Rebecca I Hartman MD, MPH, FAAD, who is one of the co-authors of the study. Dr. Hartman can talk more about the new research as well as how they can get healthy hair, skin, and nails.

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    American Academy of Dermatology

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