Acne around Mouth: Preventive Tips

by Ghinda
(Quezon City, Philippines)

You would never know when acne around mouth would surface. It can be irritating and embarrassing at the same time when pimples, pop out of the blue, on my chin. I always get tempted to prick them, especially, when I look at myself in the mirror. Besides, they can be itchy, making me want to pick on them.

Some say that acne around mouth is due to hormonal imbalance. This occurs more often to women since they are the ones who experience many hormonal changes. Come to think of it, I get pimples in the area below my lips every time I’m about to have my menstrual period. The same is true with women taking contraceptive pills and expectant mothers. All these situations involve hormones.

When hormones are imbalanced, you tend to produce more oil than usual, making your skin more prone to acne. As breakouts happen, they appear as small bumps that are known as papules. This does not contain pus so these cannot be pricked. This, usually, appears on the area around the mouth. This is just confined to this spot and does not spread on other parts of the face or body.

If it is true that hormones are the culprit, then what you can do is to keep the face clean. Using an antibacterial facial cleanser is ideal. When there is swelling or redness, ice can be applied directly to the affected area to reduce inflammation. A natural ingredient such as lavender oil can, likewise, be applied for the same purpose.

Based on my experience, I can make a guess regarding another probable cause of acne around mouth, the fluoride in my toothpaste. When I’m in a hurry in brushing my teeth, the toothpaste tends to touch my chin. A few hours after this happens, I notice that bumps appear. The solution to this problem is either to prevent the toothpaste from spilling on my chin or to change the brand of toothpaste.

Certain types of foods are said to be one of the reasons for the pimples that appear in the area surrounding the mouth. I thought chocolate was one of these but I am happy to know it was ruled out among the list. Instead, milk, because of the hormones it contains, is a sure cause.

Other possible foods that may be guilty of causing acne are spicy foods and those that are high in sugar. In this regard, having a nutritious diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals help give you a clear skin that is free from acne. Furthermore, drinking lots of water is a must in giving you clear skin. It is the best detoxifier since it cleanses the body.

It is always wise to remember not to touch your acne around mouth or let it get in contact with dusty or dirty things such as a handkerchief, towel, linen and pillow, to name a few. This type of acne is simple to treat. There are topical ointments such as Benzac and Adapalene gel that can dry pimples in just a matter of time. Clindamycin solution is another effective treatment.

With these tips to keep in mind, acne around mouth can be prevented. Otherwise, they are easy to treat.