Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. It occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, leading to whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and cysts. Blind pimples are a specific type of acne that forms deep within the skin without an opening at the surface.
What is a blind pimple?
A blind pimple, also known as a closed comedone, is a type of acne that forms when a clogged hair follicle is covered by a layer of skin. This prevents the clogged material from escaping the pore and creates a bump under the skin’s surface. Blind pimples don’t have an opening at the surface like regular pimples.
Blind pimples usually form on the face, back, or other areas with many oil glands. They feel like hard lumps under the skin and can be red, white, or skin-colored. Blind pimples tend to be more painful than surface pimples because of the buildup of pressure below the skin.
Causes of blind pimples
Blind pimples form for the same reasons as other types of acne. The main causes include:
- Excess oil production – When oil glands are overactive, they produce too much sebum (oil). This provides more material to clog pores.
- Clogged pores – Dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria plug up hair follicles. This traps the oil and allows a buildup of acne-causing bacteria.
- Hormones – Androgen hormones stimulate oil glands. Hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and stress can trigger excess oil and breakouts.
- Bacteria – The bacteria Propionibacterium acnes contribute to inflammation in clogged follicles.
- Medications – Certain medications like corticosteroids, testosterone, lithium, and anticonvulsants are linked to acne.
In blind pimples, the clogged material is trapped deep within the follicle without reaching the surface. This causes more swelling and inflammation than typical pimples.
Differences between blind pimples and other acne
There are a few key differences between blind pimples and other types of acne:
| Type of Acne | Location | Appearance | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind pimple | Deep in skin | Hard, swollen, red or skin-colored bump | More painful |
| Whitehead | Surface of skin | Small, white bump | Mildly painful |
| Blackhead | Surface of skin | Small, dark bump with visible pore | Painless |
| Cystic acne | Deep in skin | Large, red, swollen bumps | Most painful |
As shown in the table, the main unique trait of a blind pimple is that it develops underneath the skin’s surface. Other types like whiteheads and blackheads are visible at the surface. Blind pimples and cysts can form deep within skin follicles.
Are blind pimples dangerous?
In most cases, blind pimples are not dangerous. They are usually just a minor annoyance that clears up within a few days to weeks. However, there are some potential risks and complications to watch out for with blind pimples:
- Infection – Attempting to pop or squeeze a blind pimple can damage the skin and allow bacteria to enter, leading to infection.
- Scarring – Blind pimples are more likely to scar if they are popped incorrectly or become very inflamed.
- Cysts – Some deep blind pimples can develop into painful cystic acne.
- Swollen lymph nodes – In rare cases, a bacterial infection from a blind pimple can spread and cause swollen lymph nodes.
To prevent complications, it’s important not to pick or pop blind pimples. See a dermatologist if a blind pimple becomes severely painful, doesn’t improve within a few weeks, or leads to signs of infection like oozing pus, increasing swelling and redness.
Treatments for blind pimples
Blind pimples can be frustrating because many treatments cannot penetrate deep enough into the skin to target them. However, there are some methods that can help speed up healing:
- Warm compresses – Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the area for 10-15 minutes can bring the blind pimple closer to the surface and promote drainage.
- Salicylic acid – Look for acne products containing this mild chemical exfoliant to loosen and shed dead skin cells.
- Benzoyl peroxide – This anti-acne ingredient helps kill bacteria deep within pores.
- Retinoids – Retinoids like tretinoin (Retin-A) penetrate deep into follicles and can help unplug blind pimples.
- Cortisone shots – Dermatologists can inject a diluted corticosteroid to decrease inflammation and swelling.
- Oral antibiotics – For recurrent blind pimples, antibiotics taken by mouth target acne-causing bacteria from the inside.
- Oral contraceptives – Birth control pills that contain estrogen can improve hormonal acne in women.
Avoid trying to squeeze or pop a blind pimple, as this usually pushes the clogged contents deeper into the skin and leads to more swelling. See a dermatologist promptly if you have a painful, deep acne bump that does not improve.
Preventing blind pimples
While blind pimples can be difficult to prevent entirely, you can reduce their frequency and severity with some basic acne care strategies:
- Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
- Avoid oil-based makeup and hair products.
- Shampoo regularly, especially after sweating, to keep oil and bacteria from building up.
- Avoid touching or picking at your face.
- Take off sweaty workout clothes soon after exercising.
- Watch for medication side effects that can trigger breakouts.
- Manage stress levels which can increase oil production.
- Use oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup and sunscreen.
Seeing a dermatologist can also help you get customized advice on acne care and treatment options to prevent all types of pimples, including blind pimples.
When to see a dermatologist
You should make an appointment with a dermatologist if you experience:
- Frequent or severe blind pimples that don’t improve with over-the-counter treatment
- Painful, cystic acne bumps on your face or body
- Scarring or dark spots from previous blind pimples
- Blind pimples along with other symptoms like rashes, redness, or swelling
- Signs of infection like oozing pus, spreading redness, warm skin, or swollen lymph nodes
A dermatologist can examine your skin, determine if an infected blind pimple needs draining, and provide prescription-strength acne treatments to help prevent further breakouts. Getting dermatological treatment early on can help avoid permanent acne scarring.
Conclusion
In summary, blind pimples are a type of acne that forms deep within the skin without an opening to the surface. They feel like hard, swollen bumps under the skin and are caused by blocked hair follicles and oil glands. Blind pimples can be more painful than regular pimples and have some risk of complications like scarring or infection if attempted to be popped.
Treatments like warm compresses, salicylic acid, and topical or oral medications can help unplug blind pimples and reduce inflammation. Preventative habits like gentle face washing, avoiding oil-based products, and managing stress can also decrease blind pimple breakouts. See a dermatologist promptly if you experience severe, recurring, or infected blind pimples that do not respond to at-home care.