Erupting Zit

[Velvetee]

Every so often, I get a nasty spot, usually in an area where there has been one before. Last week one appeared on my left cheekbone area and grew into a boil like thing. It wasn't painful, just really ugly and unsightly.

Anyway, last night, I decided to investigate it and poked around with a needle, at first nothing came out and then suddenly an eruption occurred and splattered on the mirror. I was very startled by this, as I've never had a spot as bad and ferocious as this before.

This morning, the size had reduced considerably, but I still felt there may be more to come. I prodded around at it and I could see there was a plug there, again after a little pressure, another pussey eruption and this time more than yesterday.

I know I've given too much info regarding this super zit, but what I want to know is, would this have been a spot, or was it a boil, or what else could it have been? Also, why do I usually only get spots in exactly the same place?

[kira000]

A spot like you describe is caused by something blocking a pore (dirt, skin, sebum) or hair follicle ( sebum or ingrown hair).

Unless the blocking item is removed, or manages to dissolve, then it is more than likely to continue to reoccur periodically.

The best treatment is to apply something to dry it out when it becomes inflamed- a spot treatment with salycilic acid is best, or witchhazel if you prefer natural.

Once it is dried out, you need to keep the area clean, and exfoliate regularly. Gradually the blockage should come to the surface as the skin renews and cells die.

If it is an ingrown hair, the regular exfoliation, should help loosen the hair and enable it to break through the skin.

[Velvetee]

Thanks Kira, I'm very stringent with my skincare routine and manage to keep flare ups at bay. My skin is darker and scars easily, so even if I leave a spot alone I end up with a scar, which can take up to 2 years to fade, although exfoliating does lessen that time.

It's annoying, as the scars in the area, the latest spot appeared, were almost gone and now I'm back to square one. This new spot will leave a very dark scar, which will take ages to fade, it will still be there on my wedding day in April.

[kira000]

Hi Velvetee. I would strongly recommend you buying some Bio Oil. You can get it from Boots amongst others. It is VERY good for reducing the appearance of scars, & should help reduce the visibility of the areas the spots were.

The trick will be balancing the oiliness of the bio oil & preventing the area getting blocked again.
Probably get a little dab of Bio oil, and massage it into the affected area last thing before bed, then give it a thorough clean in the morning.

[kira000]

Part 2!

I have a few different scars and pigmented areas that i have treated with Bio oil and i have honestly found it excellent.

Back to dealing with the spot itself. They usually recommend not "going delving" with spots as it causes damage to the skin and tissue (causing scarring as you have found!).
However these are the rules about it if you do have to!! (as told by a beauty therapist.

If the spot is blind- ie doesnt have a head, leave it alone. NEVER go excavating. Try applying a hot compress - bread poultice, or just a hot flannel. That should help the spot come to the surface sooner.

If you do have a white spot with an obvious head, and you cant bear to leave it to dry (with spot treatment), or it is stretching the skin painfully, then follow the below steps.

1)Have a warm shower, or use a hot flannel on the spot
2)Wash your hands and get some lint free tissue paper.
3) Sterilise a needle in alcohol, or over a flame.
4) Carefully and slowly pierce the head of the spot with the needle, as close to the centre as you can. Try and make two separate entries. DONT pull or try and open it all up.
5)Using the tissue, gently press down on the area around the spot. You can use pressure, but not so much that your nails dig into the skin.You should find that some of the pus comes out of the hole. Carefully dab it away.
6) If no more comes out, stop, leave it to rest for at least 15 mins.
7)Reapply the hot flannel
8)You may then find that repeating step 5 gets out some more.
9)Dont be tempted to squeeze, even if you see a "core". Once the surrounding pus is gone, apply some spot treatment at least morning and evening.

That should help dry the core out, and it should eventually come off with the new skin as it heals.

Hope that helps!

[Velvetee]

Thanks Kira, I've been using Bio Oil for years now and have tried it on my face, but find it gives me break outs, so avoid using it there.

I use it all over my body everyday and particulalrly on my pregnancy bump and so far, haven't developed any new stretch marks.

Thanks for your indepth spot reducing tips, I will definitely give it a go, if I unfortunately get another little blighter on my face. I've also heard applying ice can help reduce the size of an inflamed spot, but I've never tried that.

[kira000]

Glad to help in any way. If bio oil isnt any use on your face, then i'd recommend you find a facial moisturiser with lots of Vitamin E instead. That should help, as its great for encouraging renewing skin. Body shop always used to have one.
Good luck.

[Eve]

I find Clinique toner good for helping big sore spots.

I often find things you use on your hair can cause spots, especially greasy things like conditioner or serum.