Pimples on your scalp are breakouts of whiteheads or pustules on the skin of your head where your hair grows. Scalp acne is a condition that causes pimples. These pimples can be itchy and painful. Treatment could include changing your hair care routine or the products you use or taking medicine to help the acne go away.
Pimples on your scalp, or scalp acne, occur when you have breakouts on your scalp or hairline. These breakouts are the result of clogged pores or hair follicles. Scalp acne can be itchy or painful.
While acne causes pimples on your skin, there are differences between acne and pimples. Pimples are small growths or bumps on your skin. These could be a different color from your normal skin tone, fluid-filled or inflamed. You can have an occasional breakout of pimples without having acne. Acne is a condition. It can be long term and chronic or short term after effective treatment. Pimples are a symptom of acne.
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While acne is common on your face, chest and back, pimples on your scalp aren’t as common. Acne affects nearly 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30. Scalp acne isn’t limited to a certain age group and are more common among adults.
You might be more at risk of developing scalp acne if:
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Symptoms of scalp acne include:
Your symptoms of scalp acne can be mild, moderate or severe. If you have severe scalp acne, you may experience hair loss or scabbing around the pimples.
Clogged hair follicles cause pimples on your scalp (scalp acne). Your hair follicles are the canals where your hair grows out of your skin. They could be clogged due to:
Additional causes of pimples on your scalp include:
Pimples on your scalp or scalp acne could be a symptom of an underlying condition, including:
Your healthcare provider will help you determine the cause of the pimples on your scalp to treat them.
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A healthcare provider will diagnose scalp acne after a physical exam to look at your symptoms. They may ask questions to learn more about your medical history and risk factors like whether or not acne runs in your family history, your stress level and if you’re menstruating. They might also ask questions about the skin care products you use.
If you have a sudden eruption of scalp acne, your healthcare provider might offer additional blood tests to rule out conditions that could cause your acne.
Treatment for scalp acne varies based on what causes your hair follicles to clog.
You can treat pimples on your scalp at home if your symptoms are mild by:
If you have persistent, moderate or severe scalp acne, treatment could include taking or using:
You can rub topical medications on your skin in the same way you’d rub lotion on your skin. You can take oral medications by mouth according to your provider’s instructions. Talk to your healthcare provider about the side effects of each medication before starting it. Also, tell your provider about the supplements and medications you currently take to avoid drug interactions.
Types of haircare products, soaps or shampoos that help get rid of pimples on your scalp include:
You shouldn’t pop pimples on your scalp. It can be tempting to pop pimples on your body, but popping pimples can make your symptoms worse by causing more pimples, scarring or infection. Instead, use good hygiene and oil-free shampoos, along with the treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider to make your pimples go away.
After you and your healthcare provider determine what caused scalp acne and you begin treatment, it could take up to six weeks before all of your pimples clear up. You could see improvement in your scalp a few days after you begin treatment or stop using hair care products that cause acne, like less itchiness and the lack of new pimples forming on your skin. If you don’t see your acne clear up after six weeks, contact your healthcare provider.
You can reduce your risk of developing pimples on your scalp by:
Pimples on your scalp can be a temporary irritation or a long-term condition depending on the cause. Your healthcare provider will help you determine the cause and treatment to help your scalp acne go away. Though sometimes difficult, try not to scratch the pimples on your scalp. This can cause them to erupt, leak fluid or bleed. This can result in pain, and scarring and could lead to an infection. After treatment begins, it can take up to six weeks for your skin to clear up.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Pimples on your scalp can be a challenge to your skin care routine. Determining the cause of your scalp acne involves a lot of trial and error to see if the products you’re using are clogging your pores or if there’s an underlying cause of your symptoms. If you have mild acne, it could help to keep a daily skin care log to track the products you use and how your skin reacts to them, then avoid using products that cause pimples to form on your skin. Your healthcare provider will help you manage your scalp acne so you can feel more confident and comfortable.
Last reviewed on 10/30/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy