How to Prevent Pimples

A boil is a skin infection or abscess that originates deep in the sebaceous glands or hair follicles. Boils are annoying but preventable! The boil usually first appears on the skin as a red spot and then develops into a hard mass with pus inside. ^{[1] X Source of Research} The cause of boils is bacteria that enter the skin through a cut or pore, common in diabetics, people with weakened immune systems, skin diseases, or when keeping Poor hygiene, inadequate food. ^{[2] X Research Source} Acne can develop into boils on the face, back, and neck, which are very common in teenagers. Many ways to prevent boils also help eliminate acne. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Table of Contents

Practice good hygiene habits

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Shower regularly to keep skin and hair clean. This is especially important in hot climates because pimples are easy to form. Shower at least once a day and after sweating to prevent staph from entering through the pores and under the skin, causing pimples. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Pay special attention to areas prone to boils such as the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Use a mild antibacterial soap daily to get rid of bacteria on your skin. Look for soaps, body washes, or cleansers that say “antibacterial” on the label. Currently in supermarkets and drugstores there are many types of such products for you to choose. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

If you find antibacterial soaps drying out your skin, look for a milder formula like Cetaphil.
Most antibacterial soaps contain the active ingredient triclosan, if you want to use a natural one, look for soaps that contain tea tree oil (a natural antibacterial agent). ^{[7] X Research Sources}
In some cases, you must use soap prescribed by your doctor because it has higher antibacterial power. If you often have pimples or other skin infections, you should ask your doctor to prescribe this medicine.
A body wash containing benzoyl peroxide is also an option you should try.

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Gently scrub away dead skin with a loofah or face towel to prevent clogging of pores. Be careful not to rub vigorously to avoid injuring the skin.

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Dry skin completely after bathing. Bacteria thrive in warm and humid environments, so drying the skin is important. You can use baby powder or medicated powder like Gpd Bond to keep dry areas that get wet easily.

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Shower with bleach water. Doctors often recommend that people with skin conditions like eczema take a bath with bleach, but this also kills the bacteria that cause pimples. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Mix half a cup of regular bleach in a tub of warm water, soak in it for 10-15 minutes. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Do not bathe in bleached water more than 3 times per week. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Do not immerse your head in water or let it get in your eyes, nose or mouth.
Although this bath is also safe for children, you should consult your doctor or pediatrician before bathing your baby. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Wear clean, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid re-wearing sweat-soaked clothing, and wear loose-fitting clothing that won’t rub against your skin to avoid irritation. Tight clothing creates a lack of ventilation, making the skin prone to irritation and the formation of pimples. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Shave your hair to avoid pimples

Prevent infection from other people

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Take measures to avoid infection. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that cause boils are very contagious through direct contact with the skin or pus of an infected person. If you are susceptible to this bacteria or have close contact with someone who has boils, you should be careful not to spread the bacteria. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Avoid sharing beds, towels, face towels, or clothing with someone who has boils. All family members must have their own towels and washcloths, wash them regularly and keep them separate.

Pus from boils is highly contagious and bacteria can live on surfaces for a while.
Do not share soap bars if you or someone else has boils.
You should also avoid sharing razors or sports equipment. Both “regular” Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA bacteria can be transmitted through sharing personal or sporting equipment. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

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Clean bedding and towels regularly and thoroughly to kill bacteria that cause boils. When washing clothes, you should use the hottest water recommended, for white fabrics, bleach should be used.

As a precaution, you should wear gloves when washing the clothes of someone with boils.
If you are prone to pimples on your face, change your pillowcase every day to prevent the risk of spreading bacteria.

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Keep the wound clean, bandaged, and change the dressing regularly. Pus from boils contains a lot of bacteria, if you do not cover it, it will give rise to more boils or infect others by accidental contact.

Do not self-operate. If surgery is needed, it should be done by a medical professional, and you could hurt yourself or make the infection worse by operating on your own. ^{[24] X Research Source}

Treat the wound properly

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Clean the wound thoroughly to prevent infection. Flush away dust and bacteria by rinsing the wound under cool running water, or using a salt-based “wound wash” available at drugstores or online. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

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Use soap and a clean, soft wet cloth to wipe off any dust and bacteria around the wound.

If dust remains after flushing, use alcohol-sterilized tweezers to remove dirt from the wound.
If the wound is too large or too deep to clean, or if you can’t get all the dirt out of it, you should go to the hospital for medical attention.

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Apply an antiseptic solution or antibiotic ointment to the wound according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

In addition to disinfectant solutions, you can use other natural products such as honey, lavender essential oil, eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil. The way to use these substances is to rub them directly into the wound once or twice a day.

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Cover the wound and change the gauze regularly. Wounds will heal faster when covered with a bandage, and also prevent dirt and bacteria from outside from entering the wound. ^{[26] X Research Sources}

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Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling the wound, and properly dispose of used bandages and gauze. The correct way to wash your hands is to wet your hands under the tap first, then soap. Rub hands to lather and scrub vigorously for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing all surfaces including the back of the hand, between the fingers and underneath the fingernails. Rinse thoroughly and then dry your hands completely with a towel or dryer. ^{[27] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

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Healthy eating. Inadequate nutrition is one of the main causes of immunosuppression and infection. ^{[28] X Research Source} You not only need to eat enough, but also eat the right kind of healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals.

Avoid foods high in sugar, salt and preservatives.
Consider taking vitamin supplements, especially vitamin C. ^{[29] X Trusted Source DermNet NZ Go to Source}

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Stay hydrated, especially in hot weather. Drinking plenty of water helps keep pores clean and unclogged, thereby preventing pimples from forming. The amount of water you need to drink each day is about 30-60 ml per kilogram of body weight, so a person weighing 60 kg should drink about 1.8 to 3.6 liters of water per day. ^{[30] X Research Source}

If the weather is hot or if you have to work or exercise a lot, it is advisable to drink the amount of water above the upper limit of the range.

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Use technology. Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so it works to treat and prevent pimples. Creams or lotions containing turmeric can help wounds heal faster, including boils. ^{[31] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source} Although studies have not proven an effect of eating turmeric on boils, turmeric contains antioxidants that may help prevent strokes and heart attacks. heart muscle, so you can eat as much as you want. ^{[32] X Research Source}

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Exercise for 20-30 minutes every day. Moderate exercise has been shown to significantly increase resistance. You should exercise for about 20 to 30 minutes a day to maintain healthy skin and fight infection. ^{[33] X Research Sources}

Start slowly when returning to exercise. Walking 20 minutes, even just 10 minutes a day is enough to improve immune function somewhat.
Exercising doesn’t have to be a boring job, you should find ways to both play and exercise, like dancing or going for a walk in the park with your family.

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Try to reduce stress. People who are under a lot of pressure tend to have more acne and other medical problems. If possible, you should spend a little time relaxing each day and find ways to de-stress. Exercise is a very good stress reliever that many people have successfully applied, such as yoga, meditation and tai chi. ^{[34] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Laughter is also an effective anti-stress drug. Ask friends to tell jokes or watch funny comedies and TV shows at the end of each day. ^{[35] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. In some cases, pimples appear when you are exposed to irritating chemicals at home or work. The chemicals that cause skin problems are coal tar and cutting oils. ^{[36] X Trusted Source DermNet NZ Go to source} Wear protective clothing when working with these chemicals and wash skin thoroughly immediately after contact.

Find medical measures to prevent pimples

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See a doctor. If you are prone to boils or boils that don’t go away after self-treatment, you should see a doctor to rule out other problems that could be the cause of your acne, such as diabetes, anemia, or an infection. Your doctor will prescribe medication or recommend additional precautions, including antibiotics, topical medications, and iron supplements. ^{[37] X Research Source}

You should also seek medical attention if the boil recurs, persists for more than two weeks, develops on the face or back, causes severe pain, or is accompanied by a fever. ^{[38] X Research Source}

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Consider taking a course of antibiotics. Some people who develop pimples or acne may need to take a course of antibiotics to treat the underlying infection that is causing the breakouts. ^{[39] X Research Sources}

Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat boils and acne are generally tetracycline, doxycycline or erythromycin, with a treatment period of about 6 months.

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Ask your doctor about nasal antibiotics. For people who have staphylococcus aureus living in their nose, their doctor must give them a daily antibiotic cream or nasal spray for a long time. The drug will kill the population of Staphylococcus aureus living in the nose to prevent the infection from spreading to your skin or to others when you sneeze, cough, etc. ^{[40] X Research Source}

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Ask about antibacterial soaps and prescription topicals. If antibacterial soaps are often ineffective or irritating to the skin, your doctor may prescribe something more effective or milder. Prescription topical antibiotics are also used by applying directly to acne-prone areas or open wounds.

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Ask your doctor about MRSA bacteria. MRSA bacteria ( methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ) are strains of Staphylococcus aureus that have developed resistance to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. This bacterium is commonly found in hospitals and health care facilities such as nursing homes. However, it can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as during sports. ^{[41] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Pimples appear when you have an MRSA infection. Other signs to look out for are skin abscesses (collection of pus in the skin), ^{[42] X Source of} boils (a lump containing pus and fluid), ^{[43] X Source of research} and impetigo (thick, crusted and itchy boils) ^{[44] X Research Source} . If you suspect you have an MRSA infection, see your doctor as soon as possible.

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