Here we go again, a pimple popped out of nowhere. The problem is that you cannot help but pick it. I can guarantee you, we’ve all been there. So what can you do in these kinds of situations? There are home and medical remedies that can be useful in these kinds of emergencies. Let’s take a look at them.
What Can I Do to Treat a Pimple Emergency?
When the act of popping a zit is eventually done, one has to find ways to treat it so the condition of the pimple doesn’t get worse. Find out all about what you can do in these situations.
Do not pop your pimples
Acne is a skin condition that affects not only teenagers but also adults. This means that many people have to deal with pimples and their sequelae. The biggest advice I can give as a dermatologist would be not to pop pimples. I know it can be quite tempting but giving yourself the satisfaction of bursting that pimple won’t solve the problem. The squeezing can push the pus and bacteria deeper into the skin, consequently causing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots), swelling, redness, scabs, permanent scars or even an infection.
If swollen, apply ice
There are times when people squeeze the pimple that much that a big, swollen, red bump is created in the face. What else other than ice can better help reduce the inflammation and soothe the bump down? Nothing does it better than ice.
Get a cold pack or an ice cube and wrap it in a paper towel or a soft cloth and apply it in the swollen area for a few quick minutes several times during the day. The ice will help with the swelling and the condition of the pimple.
Use a spot treatment
Use a spot treatment that is available over the counter which has ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur. If a prescription medication has been given to you opt for that one.
Apply a pimple patch
Use a pimple patch which is a hydrocolloid patch. This can be applied overnight and it will help draw out the acne pus overnight thereby helping decrease its size by the morning.
Home Remedies for Acne
For those of you that enjoy homemade masks, try the following:
Make a honey and cinnamon mask
Honey and cinnamon are two ingredients whose superpower stands in fighting bacteria and reducing inflammation. Mix two tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon until they form a paste. Once you wash your face, you can apply the mask to your face and leave it on for up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse off the mask.
Wash your face with green tea
Studies on green tea have shown that it can be quite effective in reducing pimples and sebum production. Steep green tea in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. After the green tea releases its nutrients and cools down for a few minutes, get a cotton ball and apply it to your face or anywhere where you have pimples. Give it a few minutes to dry and after that, you can rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Moisturize with aloe vera
Aloe vera, the tropical plant that does wonders, can be of help even for pimples. You take an aloe vera leaf and scrape the gel out of it with a spoon or whatever you feel can do the job. Then the gel is applied directly to the skin and moisturize 1-2 times a day. Studies have shown that aloe vera contains salicylic acid and sulfur, two elements extremely important for acne treatments.
Medical Procedures for Acne Treatment
If the above doesn’t help don’t hesitate to see your Board Certified Dermatologist. There are a number of in-office treatments that can help with a pimple emergency.
Corticosteroid injection
You can schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to have a corticosteroid injection to decrease the inflammation of a pimple. This should only be done if you have one painful persistent one and not several as multiple injections come with potential side effects.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are medical treatments that exfoliate the skin using alpha or beta hydroxy acid. These peels can improve mild and severe cases of acne.
Acne incision and drainage
Pimple incision and drainage is a medical procedure through which a tiny incision is made on the skin with the intention of draining the pus out of a pimple.
Pimple extractions
Pimple extractions are medical procedures that use sterile tools to clear comedones which are the blackheads or whiteheads.
