Introduction

Blackheads are little bit different but can be considered as sibling of hickeys, and like hickeys, squeezing them can turn to be addictive. Blackheads are induced due to partially blocked pores present on the skin everywhere. The presence of blackheads on the skin is very common problem for the people in their teenage or older. Teens and people in their early 20s suffer the most from blackheads, but even the people in their 30s and 40s can also suffer from this condition, especially a person having oily skin.

All forms of acnes are said to be the disorders of the pilo-sebaceous unit of the skin that are made up of sebaceous gland, the hair follicles, and the hair itself. And like all pimples, the problem with blackheads and whiteheads begins deep down the sebaceous gland (known also as oil glands). Blackheads are also known as open comedones and they are typically induced by excessive oils and makeup since they facilitate the multiplication of the bacterium, a dominant anaerobe of the normal skin flora.

The formation of blackheads

A blackhead is comedones organized when there is an opening of the follicle and it becomes broader than normal. Blackheads are commonest in teens, but it can strike at an age, even in an infants. Three out of four teens have acne up to certain extent, likely to be caused by hormonal changes stimulating oil production. Since the follicle opening is broader, the sebum and the trapped dead skin cells start reacting chemically with the air and results in the oxidation of melanin that, in turn, leads the dark coloration of the blackhead. Little sun exposure might improve acnes.

However, excessive exposure to sunrays or UV rays is not advisable since it increases the risks of skin cancer. The best technique to remove blackheads is to avoid the cause of them such as excessive sebum (oils) and dead skin cells. Use the products that are made only with natural herbs or components and those that are not too astringents.

Causes of Blackheads

• Blackheads generally develop when the skin starts producing too much oil.
• A major factor that contributes to excess oil productions is the onset of puberty.
• Teenage is the cause for blackheads.
• Another commonest cause for the appearance of blackheads is that the skin has not been cleansed thoroughly.
• Over exposure to the pollution, dirt and dusts.
• Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, menarche etc)
• Using Greasy cosmetics and hair products.
• Certain drugs (such as steroids, and phenytoin).
• Using of too much makeup or excessive use of moisturizes foundations or sunscreen lotions.

Signs and Symptoms of Blackheads

Blackheads can typically appear onto the face, neck, back and shoulders those are the areas of the skin having the great numbers of functioning oil glands. Blackheads are open to the surface of the skin and can become darkened at the surface by getting exposed to the oxygen. Typical sign and symptoms may include the following:

• Pustules.
• Swelling on and around the skin eruptions.
• Scarring of the skin.
• Redness on and around the exanthemas.
• Swollen and infected nodules.

Treatment for Blackheads

Mild cases of blackheads are generally self-limiting or can be treated with OTC (over-the-counter) topical lotions typically having benzoyl peroxide. There are also plenty of different medicines that the family physician can prescribe those come in cream, ointment, and/or pill form. It is advisable to use a flat blackhead remover or a comedones extractor for removing blackheads. For moderate to severe cases, prescription of some oral antibiotics might be required for reducing bacteria and to terminate inflammation.

Some common treatment for blackheads:

• Cleansing the skin gently with a mild and non-drying herbal soap.
• Stop squeezing, scratching, picking, or rubbing the blackheads since this all can lead to scarring and skin infections.
• Oral antibiotics like, tetracycline doxycycline, and minocycline are used in almost all the cases.
• One can also go for prescribed formulas of benzoyl peroxide, sulfurs or even salicylic acid.
• Some suggest that birth control pills might help clear up acne.
• Herbs like Neem, turmeric, Aloe, Garcinia, Butea, Asparagus are good to remove blackheads. 

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