Pimples??

[Darlene]

Hello. I am a 24 year old female and I get these pimples, that don't really appear to be pimples.  They are under the skin and don't come to a head, but are extremely painful.  Any idea what they are, and how I can prevent them or get rid of them quickly?

Also, what is the best kind of soap to use to wash your face?

Thank you,  any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Darlene:

They probably are pimples.  Acne can cause inflammation deep under the skin or closer to the surface, and it's common for women to get it in their 20's, often for the first time.

For starters, wash with a soap containing benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid (both OTC.)  A benzoyl peroxide gel may help too.  Use makeup if you wish, and compress if you like, but don't squeeze.

If they don't clear up in a month or two, a doctor may help.

Best.

Dr. R

[Char147]

A related discussion, Scalp breaking out was started.

[kelly]

Darlene, I think I know what you mean by your description. Do yours seem to be very deep-rooted, come on quickly and vary in size from small to very large? Are they more painful than the "average" pimple? I get these mainly in the scalp and on the neck and face. They don't seem to have a core and if ruptured give off clear fluid witha  bit of blood, not core as you'd find in a pimple. They also rarely have a white "head", just a red center.

[dave]

Darlene,

Your description sounds familiar. Do your blemishes seem to be very deep-rooted, painful, have a tendency to become larger than the average pimple, last a long time, have rapid onset, when squeezed (ruptured) often give off just clear fluid mixed with a little blood?

This is the type of "pimple" I've been dealing with for about 2 years now. I'm over 40 and don't buy the late-onset acne thing. Mine tend to happen mostly in the scalp, on the neck and face, with some torso area affected. I suspect some kind of infection as the root cause, but have not been able to confirm it.