[Simulated (OP)]

I have like 1 zit on my nose at all times, but other than that I don't have zits anywhere else on my face.

But I'm sitting here stratching my back and I feel TONS of zits. Why is that?

Someone said they aren't zits once. They said they were "Sweat Zits from always wearing shirts and sweeting a lot. All the sweet gets trapped there and clogs the pores, which makes zits. Is that it? I mean I take a shower every night and actually get cleaned up.

How can I fix this problem?

Thanks, Sim

[Karen W.]

If it is heat rash cool showers can ease it.. certainly showering again after perspiring always help cool and cleanse the skin! My husband had that happen a lot and a nice long handle loofa sponge and some gentle scrubbing with some nice soap of your choice. Helps to as long as you are regular!

Now with my husband he was really bad about washing his hair and breaking out from the shoulders down to the middle of his back... He thought it was acne but he was not rinsing the soap off thoroughly and it was a bit of allergy from the soap remaining on his back.. when I told him he was not rinsing, he began to rinse better and boom No more rash anymore.. That has been a few years now!~

You are a teenager and It is probably acne like you say.. antibiotics can get rid of it and clear it ask your Doctor, My two boys had a real hard time with it on their back also!

[chris]

Hi Sim

sorry to hear about this, but I think I can reassure you that your case is not unusual. Lots of people get an uneven distribution of spots yet no one knows why. In some respects it's a blessing in disguise to have most of them on your back where they're hidden.

What I can say is that this almost certainly a hormone and not a hygiene issue. Acne is linked to testosterone. It provokes increase secretions from sebaceous glands on the skin. The secretions block pores and lock in bacteria, creating an ideal low-oxygen culture vessel for propionibacteria and other spot-provoking bugs. Hygiene, and giving up chocolate, make very little difference.

In my teenage years I had the same problem - lots of spots on my back, but thankfully few on my face.

There are several ways to tackle it. One is to wait until you get a bit older, at which point they will disappear naturally.

A simple first approach is to try creams. De-squamatives, like benzoyl peroxide, remove excess layers of skin making it harder for acne-causing bugs to gain a toe-hold. These can be a highly effective low-cost option for some people.

For more severe cases visit your doctor. He or she can prescribe some antibiotics (tetracyclines are well tolerated and low in side-effects, although they are photo-sensitising so don't go sunbathing if you take them). These can usually clear up acne within a month or two. Once you stop the drugs the problem can relapse, however, so you may need to take the agents for a little while.

Good luck

Chris

[Simulated (OP)]

Thanks Guys!