Causes of Painful Acne on My Scalp

If you have hair, you're lucky to be able to cover most acne that appears on the scalp that usually appears in the form of pustules. Pustules are pus filled, red, inflamed acne. Scalp acne often starts at the hairline, but can appear anywhere on the scalp. Hair that covers the condition can also make the acne difficult to treat as the hair can get in the way, according to Acne.org. Scalp acne can be caused by a number of factors.

Unwashed Oily Hair

Especially if you have naturally oily hair, hair should be washed once per day to clean excess oils from the hair and scalp. Oils can build up and clog pores that result in the painful acne. Try washing with a dandruff shampoo with zinc or a shampoo containing tea tree oil to cleanse the hair and help treat the acne.

Hair Products

Many hair products are oily, greasy and will clog the pores on your scalp resulting in acne. Skincare Physicians reports a survey of acne patients with skin of color revealed almost half used pomade as a hair treatment or styling product. Over 70 percent of the patients who used pomade had acne. Avoid using greasy hair products while treating the acne and to prevent more acne.

Stress

According to Quick Acne Remedy, stress is one of the most common causes of painful acne on the scalp. Regular exercise is one of the best stress reducers; at least 30 minutes per session three times per week. Vitamin B5 has also helped to reduce stress, and taking a B-complex vitamin can help treat the overall acne.

Headwear

If you are a hat, bandana or helmet wearer, how often you wash your headwear can play a part in the development of scalp acne. They can cause the scalp to sweat without enabling it to breathe and can irritate the scalp, which can result in acne. Constant rubbing of the scalp by hats and helmets can also cause acne. Try to avoid wearing anything over your head while treating the acne. If you are wearing helmets for sports related activity safety, wash your hair as soon as possible following the activity to avoid more acne.

Dirty Environment

When looking for a cause of acne, look for items that come in close contact with the skin. Sheets and pillowcases are a common cause of body and back acne. Pillows that constantly rub against the scalp as you sleep are another source. Sheets and pillowcases should be washed at least once per week to clean off skin oils and product buildup.