What Are Blind Pimples? How to Get Rid of Blind Pimples?

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    Acne is a skin problem that hits nearly everyone hard at one point or another. Teenagers are the favorite prey of acne during puberty, and many people continue to struggle with their acne problem throughout adulthood. Acne is commonly caused by inflammation of the hair follicles and skin glands. And the most common contributors to acne formation are: 

    Overproduction of sebum, an oily substance derived from the sebaceous glands responsible for lubricating the skin and hair. 

    • Clogged skin pores combined with dead skin cells, debris, and dirt 
    • Bacterial infection in the sebaceous glands 
    • Fluctuating hormone levels 
    • Bad weather conditions and pollution 
    • Certain medications 
    • Genetics 
    • Stress 
    blind pimples

    While every type of acne is itchy, irritating, and painful, did you know there are different types of acne? 

    Yes, the types of acne are blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, pustules, nodular, and papules; among all those, cystic and nodular acne is commonly known as blind pimples and the hardest to treat. The reason is that where other types of acne form above the skin’s surface unless they are severe, the first criterion of blind pimples is to form within the skin, making it harder to treat. 

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    This article will specifically discuss the treatment modalities available for blind pimples. 

    A Well-Defined Definition Of Blind Pimples 

    Blind pimples are formed under the skin. Whether small or large, they appear red in color and are extremely painful when touched. Sometimes blind pimples are invisible, making it hard for someone to locate them. The pimple is not noticeable, but the lump formed can be felt since the area becomes a little inflamed, red, and painful. 

    A nodule or cyst often causes blind pimples under the skin. But they are poles apart from blackheads and whiteheads that develop closer to the skin’s surface. Blind pimples are stubborn, and since they don’t have any head, they cannot feel soft, and you cannot pop those pimples. 

    People often need to coax an opening to form a head on a blind pimple. Blind pimples are usually visible on your face, chest, or upper back. 

    blind pimples

    What Are The Causes Of Blind Pimples? 

    Our skin has tiny holes that we know as pores. As with other types of pimples, blind pimples also develop when the skin pores become clogged. The pores become clogged with: 

    • Dead skin cells 
    • Hair 
    • Bacteria 
    • Sebum 

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    When our skin produces too much sebum, which we don’t clean properly with the oil, the skin cells can build up under the skin and form pus. It becomes trapped and unable to get to the skin’s surface to leave the body. And that is how a pimple is formed, causing inflammation and pain. 

    However, there are several reasons behind the overproduction of sebum and clogged pores, including: 

    • Family History: If someone in your family, especially your parents, had acne and blind pimples, you are more likely to develop them. 
    • Hormonal Fluctuations: Teenagers going through adolescence or puberty are more prone to acne breakouts as their hormone levels fluctuate. Women during their menstruation cycle or pregnancy can also get pimples for the same reason. 
    • Certain Medications: Drugs such as corticosteroids can cause blind pimples and can even worsen the condition. 
    • Excessive Sweating: Doing physical activities that make you sweat excessively or wearing a helmet and tight clothing can also worsen your acne problem. 
    • Some Skin Care Products: If you apply heavy lotions and creams on your skin that can clog the pores, blind pimples may occur. 
    • Stress Level: Stress and anxiety give rise to cortisol levels producing more sebum and causing breakouts. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone of our body. 
    blind pimples

    It is common to have blind pimples on your face occasionally since, most of the time, those pimples go away on their own. But sometimes, some severe types of acne called nodular and cystic acne make multiple blind pimples along with red bumps containing pus and bacteria that are excessively painful. And that is when you need medical attention and must visit a dermatologist. 

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    How To Identify Blind Pimples? 

    The symptoms of blind pimples are pretty straightforward, easily noticeable, and identifiable by anyone. The signs of blind dimples include: 

    • A small bump or lump that you can feel under your skin 
    • Pain around the lump and sometimes on the lump 
    • Inflammation, redness, and irritation in the area 

    Sometimes your whiteheads or blackheads can also get converted from blind pimples while they move through the layers of your skin and come to the surface. 

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    How To Diagnose Blind Pimples? 

    It is easy to identify blind pimples on your own. But if you have several blind pimples or the pain is quite unbearable, you need to see a healthcare provider. They examine your skin visually and identify whether or not the lump formation is a blind pimple. Your doctor might also ask you several questions, such as: 

    • How often do you get pimples on your face? 
    • Do you commonly get pimples? 
    • Is your pimple painful? 
    • What did you eat last that triggered the blind pimples? 

    How To Treat Blind Pimples At Home? 

    As mentioned earlier, blind pimples are hard to get rid of. But there are a few therapies that you can try at home to get rid of them to some extent or completely. However, always ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly before starting any at-home therapy to treat a blind pimple.  

    Using Products Containing Benzoyl Peroxide: 

    Benzoyl peroxide is usually used to treat mild to moderate acne. Benzoyl peroxide can potentially reduce the amount of acne-causing bacteria by making the skin dry and peeling out the breakouts. Before using any benzoyl peroxide product, you must check if you are allergic to it. Initially, you must put some amount of the product on one or 2 small acne areas for at least 3 consecutive days. 

    If you face any allergic reaction, you must stop using the product and get medical help if the allergic reaction is severe. But if you don’t have any allergic reaction, you are good to go with the product. 

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    There are many benzoyl peroxide products available over the counter that you can purchase without a prescription. But some products come in cream, foam, cleansers, and lotions form and might require a prescription. You can consult a pharmacist or a doctor to decide which product is best for you. 

    Before you self-treat blind pimples with benzoyl peroxide, following all the directions written on the product packaging is highly recommended. If you have any questions, consult with the pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed the medication, use it per directions. 

    Benzoyl peroxide is a bactericidal substance that has the potency to kill bacteria. When a person applies benzoyl peroxide on the skin, it works against propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria causing acne. 

    blind pimples

    Side effects: 

    There are some mild side effects of benzoyl peroxide, and you must know about them before incorporating the substance into your at-home acne-treating modality. The side effects include: 

    • Stinging and burning sensation 
    • Irritation 
    • Peeling skin and dryness 
    • Eczema 
    • Skin flushing 
    • Itching 
    • Pain 

    Applying A Warm Compress: 

    Before you try anything else to treat blind pimples at home, a hot compress should be the first step. The warmth and moisture of the warm compress can soothe your skin and help clear out and heal stubborn pimples. The best part of using one compresses is that it is simple to follow. 

    First, you must use a bowl or sink and pour hot water. Remember, the water has to be piping hot, and you need to leave it for a few minutes to let it start to cool down. Using hot water may burn your skin. Now you can add some essential oils to soothe your skin with antibacterial properties. Alongside essential oils also smell nice and relax your mind while treating acne. Add a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to your warm water. 

    Read more about What Are Blind Pimples? How to Get Rid of Blind Pimples?

    When the water has started to cool down, take a washed cloth and soak it in the warm water, so it gets completely saturated. Be careful not to burn your hands. You can use a fresh towel if you don’t have the material. But you cannot use paper towels since they can stick to your skin. 

    After soaking the cloth, please remove it from the hot water and squeeze and twist it well. Try to get all the water out of the clothes, leaving you with a warm damp compress. Leave the compress on your face for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Please don’t move the cloth during the time so that it delivers heat and moisture to your skin consistently. 

    A warm compress at least 3 to 4 times daily can help clear out pimples and heal your skin. Warm compress also helps draw out the excessive oil and bacteria trapped in your pimple. But always be mindful that you need to use a clean cloth and fresh water every time you make a warm compress so that you don’t get any other bacteria or dirt into your pimples. 

    Wearing An Acne Patch: 

    If you walk straight to the drugstore to buy an acne patch, you will be utterly confused about the many available options. Therefore before jumping on the acne patch wagon, it is essential to understand the different types and which one is suitable for treating blind pimples. 

    Since blind pimples are mostly nodular or cystic acne, you must go for a medicated patch to use instead of the non-medicated ones. Furthermore, if you have active acne, medicated acne patches are filled with active ingredients to kill the acne-causing bacteria and soothe inflammation. In contrast, non-medicated acne patches are best for healing acne. 

    Microneedle acne patches are also available, perfect for treating blind pimples. Microneedles might sound a little scary. Nonetheless, they are pain-free. These patches contain dissolving microneedles on one side that penetrate and deliver the active ingredient to the deeper layers of your skin wherever needed. 

    It is hard to recommend any particular brand of acne patch for blind pimples, but your acne patch must contain active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. You can choose acne patches with hydrocolloids if you are a teenager suffering from blind pimples. 

    Applying Tea Tree Oil: 

    Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic extracted from the leaves of an Australian tree known as Melaleuca Alternifolia. Tea tree oil is an excellent ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin. Hence, it is considered the best natural remedy for blind pimples. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial compounds that prevent microbial growth. It also has impressive antibacterial properties, commonly known as terpenes, that work against Propionibacterium acnes, the acne-causing bacteria. 

    Tea tree oil works for blind pimples and cystic acne because it can disinfect the skin and unclog the sebaceous glands by penetrating deep into the skin. You can mix a drop or 2 of tea tree oil in distilled water to treat acne by applying it on the acne and all over the face. However, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to your water while bathing to get the most out of this essential oil, especially if other parts of your body have also gotten blind pimples. People who don’t have sensitive skin also use tea tree oil without diluting it. 

    Applying Honey: 

    Raw honey is packed with beneficial components for our skin, especially if we have acne. Honey is potent in balancing the bacteria on our skin, making it an excellent product for blind pimples. Honey also speeds up our skin healing process and reduces inflammation. But to treat blind pimples, one must use manuka honey or unpasteurized honey since it is more effective in dealing with inflammation and redness. 

    The best way to use honey for the face is to mix it with other ingredients to create a soothing face mask, but before doing so, it is recommended to do a patch test of honey and other components to ensure that you are not allergic. 

    Honey can also be used by mixing it with cinnamon powder since cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant with an antimicrobial combination. 

    Clinical Treatment Procedures To Treat Blind Pimples 

    If your blind pimples don’t go away at home, are excessively painful, or seem infected, you need to seek help from a dermatologist. In some instances, your dermatologist might suggest certain medications to get rid of blind pimples, and for more severe blind pimples, they also might suggest chemical peel treatment. Let’s explore all the clinical treatment options for treating blind pimples. 

    Topical Antibiotics: 

    Topical Antibiotics: 

    Topical antibiotics can help eliminate the bacteria contributing to the blind pimple and reduce inflammation. If you get blind pimples repeatedly, you may use such products around the affected area as a preventive measure. The most common antibiotics used for treating blind pimples include erythromycin and clindamycin. Both come in a gel formula, and you can apply them twice daily. 

    If you have sensitive skin, your doctor might suggest you apply topical antibiotics once a day and see how your skin reacts before moving up to twice a day. However, sometimes topical antibiotics are ineffective and are used in conjunction with other types of acne products, such as benzoyl peroxide. 

    Oral Medications: 

    Sometimes doctors suggest taking oral antibiotics to treat blind pimples instead of topical antibiotics. 

    Chemical Peels: 

    Salicylic acid peel is the most common chemical peel used for treating blind pimples. The basic principle of salicylic acid peel is to exfoliate different layers of the skin and to unblock the clogged pores by removing the layer of dirt, dead skin cells, and other debris on the skin’s surface. 

    A chemical peel is among the most common cosmetic procedures and has been used for decades. In the treatment of blind pimples, the salicylic acid peel is used at different concentration levels according to the targeted results and the patient’s skin type. 

    After the exfoliation by salicylic acid peel, dermal and epidermal regeneration from the adjacent epithelium and skin adnexa result in improved skin texture and appearance. A chemical peel is a cost-effective and straightforward procedure. 

    We will now know more about chemical peel treatment for blind pimples. 

    How is chemical peel treatment done? 

    • A chemical peel is usually done at your dermatologist’s office since it is an outpatient facility.  
    • Before the procedure, the dermatologist clears your face and protects your hair and eyes. Painkillers are not necessarily needed for light chemical peels like salicylic acid peels. Still, if the peel is being used in medium or high concentration, you might take sedatives and painkillers to endure the irritation. Sometimes your dermatologist may also use an anesthetic to numb the treatment area. 
    • During the procedure, your doctor uses a brush or a sponge to apply the chemical solution containing salicylic acid on your face. 
    • You might feel stinging once the chemical solution is applied to your skin. 
    • After 20 to 30 minutes, your doctor will apply our neutralizing solution or wash your face to remove the chemical solution from the treated skin. 

    What Happens After A Chemical Peel Procedure? 

     Chemical Peel
    • Regardless of the depth of the peel, your skin will feel red and irritated for some time. You need to follow the directions given by your doctor regarding cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection for your skin.  
    • You must avoid scratching, rubbing, or picking your skin since it might take several weeks for your skin to get back to its normal state. 
    • You can use an ice pack to comfort your skin, or if your dermatologist has suggested you take over-the-counter pain relieving medication, you can do that too. 

    How To Prepare For A Chemical Peel Treatment For A Blind Pimples? 

    Choosing a board-certified dermatologist is the first and foremost priority while going for the treatment of blind pimples. Remember, improperly done chemical peels can result in complications, including permanent scars or infections. 

    Before the first chemical peel session, your doctor will: 

    • Review your medical history and ask questions about your current and past medical conditions regarding medications you are taking or have taken recently. You might also be asked about any cosmetic procedures you have recently had. 
    • Run a physical test to inspect your skin’s condition and determine what type of peel is appropriate for you.  

    Conclusion 

    For many people, pimples are more than a disease since it impacts their self-image and self-confidence. And pimples can also take a toll on their emotional health. But one thing you read to remember is that blind pimples are reversible, and there is nothing to worry about. You can get rid of blind pimples with proper treatment and prevention methods. The abovementioned treatment has proven extremely helpful to people suffering from blind pimples. And we hope they work for you too. 

    I hope this article helps you know how to get rid of blind pimples at home or with medication. Many such articles are coming. Keep following us. 

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