Itchy Pimples

Everyone tells you not to scratch at itchy pimples or touch the zits that have erupted on your face. With some planning and willpower you can keep your hands off and allow them to heal in the shortest amount of time possible.

One of the hardest things about allowing acne pimples to heal properly is the temptation to futz with them. This is made about a hundred times worse when you have itchy pimples. Though not all are itchy, keeping your hands off them will not only allow them to heal faster than they might otherwise, but you can also minimize secondary infections such as staph.

What are they?

There are many kinds of pimples, often classified by causal organism or where they appear on the body. Often there is a bacterial component that causes infection as the result of either normal skin openings or adventitious colonizaiton of accidental openings.

On the other hand, some pimples are caused by heat or an allergic reaction. Rashes of small zits such as those associated with the hives can be extremely itchy.

Horror under the nails

Even those with very short nails can harbour some very interesting bacteria and not even realize it. Even if your hands have just been washed, unless you just scrubbed up for surgery, you very likely have bacteria under your nails and on your fingertips that can easily be transferred to any open wound on your skin, especially if you touch a pimple first then poke around, as many people do on their backs. Don’t scratch itchy zits – those infections can become very serious and painful.

Keeping from itching

This can require a huge force of will on your part during the day. If the pimples are especially itchy, you may need to wear mittens to bed to keep from scratching the pimples open during the night. Some people take up another habit, or choose a common object to remind them to refrain from scratching.

Even if the pimples are very small, or the infection is still beneath the skin, you should avoid rubbing or scratching to keep from irritating the skin. Even very minor hand contact can cause itchy pimples to spread, starting the whole cycle over again. Sometimes it’s useful to keep a salve or cream such as benzoyl peroxide on the pimples to keep you from putting your finger on it. Even a string around the finger can be enough to remind you not scratch those pesty itchy pimples.

Also consider ClearSkin-A Acne Gel & Face wash and Tamanu Oil, both of which are effective against acne.