A blackhead develops when oil and dead skin cells clog a hair follicle’s (pore) opening. This obstruction results in a comedo, which is a hump. The clog becomes oxidized by the air, darkens, and transforms into a blackhead when the comedo is open.
The comedo becomes a whitehead if it remains closed. In addition to your face, other areas of your body, such as your thighs, buttocks, and armpits, can also develop blackheads. Discover the causes, remedies, and prevention of inner thigh blackheads by reading on.
Why do my inner thighs develop blackheads?
Blackhead outbreaks on the inner thighs are frequently caused by a combination of the following:
Sweat
Oil
Dirt
Dead skin
Leggings and jeans that are too tight can also cause friction and chafing.
Treating and avoiding inner thigh blackheads
The initial measures to preventing and treating blackheads are as follows:
Maintaining good hygiene, which includes routinely bathing your skin with a liquid soap with a low pH;
Removing dead skin cells from your skin by exfoliating
Dressing in freshly laundered clothes
Avoiding wearing clothes that is too tight and causes skin irritation
Avoiding materials that make you perspire, such polyester and vinyl
To cure blackheads, your doctor or a dermatologist may advise using an over-the-counter topical lotion or gel that contains salicylic acid or retinoids. Using the Healthline FindCare service, you may get in touch with a dermatologist in your neighborhood.
Which is it hidradenitis or suppurativa?
Blackheads on the inner thighs and buttocks may indicate the presence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
HS is a skin disorder that commonly impacts places where skin rubs on skin, such as:
Thighbones
buttocks
armpits
Symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa
HS frequently manifests itself in places on your body where the skin scrapes against itself. HS symptoms include:
Blackheads: These microscopic lumps frequently manifest as pairs on the skin’s surface.
Tiny, agonizing lumps: These lumps, which are frequently the size of a pea, develop where perspiration and oil glands, hair follicles, and skin rub together.
Tunnels: If you’ve had HS for a long time, tracts connecting the lumps may develop under your skin. These can sometimes leak pus as they heal slowly.
Treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa
There isn’t a permanent treatment for HS yet. A dermatologist or member of your medical team will choose a course of therapy, which could involve both surgery and medication.
Medication
The following drugs are frequently prescribed to treat HS:
Creams containing antibiotics including gentamicin (Gentak) and clindamycin (Cleocin)
Oral antibiotics such doxycycline (Doryx), clindamycin, and rifampin (Rifadin)
Drugs that block tumor necrosis factor (TNF), such as adalimumab (Humira)
Surgery
Your healthcare professional might suggest surgery in particular circumstances. Surgery for HS could consist of:
Unroofing: This process involves removing skin to reveal the tunnels.
Limited unroofing: A single nodule is removed with this technique, also known as punch debridement.
Electrosurgery: This method involves the removal of damaged tissue.
Laser therapy: This method is frequently used to treat and get rid of skin lesions.
Surgical removal: All of the damaged skin is removed during this treatment. It’s frequently replaced by a skin graft in many instances.
In Conclusion
Blackheads can form anywhere on your body, including your inner thighs, buttocks, and armpits, however they may be more common on your face. Blackheads on your inner thighs and other regions can be treated and prevented in a similar way. They emphasize:
taking regular baths
using a skin exfoliant
putting on clean clothes
Avoiding clothing that is too tight and textiles that make you sweat
Blackheads on your inner thighs and buttocks may indicate hidradenitis suppurativa.
If you experience further symptoms, such as painful, pea-sized lumps or tunnels connecting these lumps under the skin, consult a dermatologist or your healthcare practitioner for a diagnosis and treatment strategy.