Acne and prickly heat are almost the same, here's how to tell the difference

How to distinguish acne and prickly heat

Acne and prickly heat do look alike at first glance. Yes, both are small reddish bumps.

In addition, acne can not only appear on the face, but also on the back, shoulders, armpits, and inner thighs. Prickly heat is the same, although it does appear more frequently in skin folds.

Even though they have many things in common, it turns out that there are several things that make acne and prickly heat different. Don't get confused, here are the differences between acne and prickly heat.

1. Causes

Acne and prickly heat occur when skin pores become clogged by small particles from the environment. However, what distinguishes between the two is the type of clogging particles.

Bruce Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist from the American Academy of Dermatology, told Men's Health that acne occurs when the pores of the skin become blocked by bacteria and dead skin cells. The bacteria that enter are then trapped in the pores and trigger inflammation.

Meanwhile, prickly heat forms when the skin pores become clogged by sweat. As a result, it is difficult for oxygen flow from outside to get into the skin and causes small red bumps, like a rash.

2. Characteristics

When you find red bumps on your back, don't rush to think of them as back pimples, OK! Even though they are both reddish in color, this can actually be a sign of prickly heat. In order not to be confused, pay attention to the characteristics.

The characteristic feature of a pimple is a red lump and a white center filled with pus. Acne that appears is usually only one or two, whether it's on the face, chest, back, or other areas of the body.

Prickly heat is also reddish, but looks more like a rash. Unlike acne, prickly heat is usually spread, does not contain pus, and feels itchy.

3. How to overcome

Because the symptoms are different, how to deal with acne and prickly heat will certainly be different.

For those of you who have acne problems, you can use a special acne ointment that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both of these substances can help kill acne-causing bacteria and prevent dead skin cells from clogging the pores.

Whereas for those of you who experience prickly heat problems that make it itchy, use creams or lotions that contain menthol or 1% hydrocortisone. These active ingredients will relieve itching and reduce prickly heat rashes.

Acne medication and prickly heat can be found easily in the market. However, if your pimples are getting swollen or prickly heat is getting hotter, then immediately consult a dermatologist. This could be a sign of an infection that needs to be treated quickly.

4. How to prevent

Exercise is a major trigger for acne and prickly heat because it causes the body to sweat. The more sweat that comes out, the more likely it is that the pores of the skin are clogged with bacteria, dead skin cells, or the sweat itself.

When finished exercising or doing activities, immediately take a shower to rinse the bacteria and dirt that sticks to the skin. After that, wear loose clothes so that the sweaty residue evaporates from the skin more quickly. That way, you will avoid acne that can appear on any part of the body.

If so, immediately leave the place the gym where the air tends to be humid. Places with high humidity are not only a favorite environment for bacteria, but also make it more difficult for sweat to evaporate from the skin. This can still trigger prickly heat, even if you've showered before.

After that, don't forget to drink lots of cold water to get rid of prickly heat. In addition to preventing dehydration, the cool sensation will help calm your body and allow the sweat to evaporate without clogging your pores.