Got an Inflamed Blackhead? Here's How to Deal

At the sight of blackheads on your nose, the first course of action is to grab a trusty pore strip and let it work its magic. However, sometimes stubborn blemishes get left behind. Although you know better, you try to pick them out with your finger anyway — only to make the situation worse. Fortunately, there are ways to treat an inflamed blackhead. To find out how, we turned to dermatologist Melanie Palm.

Meet Our Expert

• Dr. Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, is a cosmetic and medical dermatologist. She is also the medical director of Art of Skin MD.

Keep reading to discover the best inflamed blackhead treatments, plus how to prevent those swollen spots in the first place.

Inflamed Blackhead Causes

"If you pick a blackhead, the area around the hair follicle and oil gland may get inflamed," said Dr. Palm.

Caused by a mix of skin cells and bacteria, inflammation can result in redness, tenderness, and cystic lesions.

"Inflammation in the area can lead to pain, unsightly acne cysts, and in worst case scenario, scarring," Dr. Palm told us. "You basically don't want to stoke the fire of a well-behaving blackhead and make it inflamed and far worse."

How to Treat an Inflamed Blackhead

Look for Cleansers with Salicylic Acid

If you couldn't resist taking your finger to your blackheads, your best bet is to cleanse the irritated area with a cream or wash that contains salicylic acid, such as Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer.

"As a beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid penetrates down into the hair follicle and oil gland where blackheads start," explained Dr. Palm. "This helps to remove the sebum and debris that comprises a blackhead and aids in healing post-inflammatory discoloration and inflammation resulting from picking a blackhead."

However, it's best to keep your hands away from your breakout.

Try a Retinoid

Another option that you can find at your drugstore is Differin Gel, the first prescription-strength adapalene gel to be available over the counter. "This is a prescription-strength retinoid in the same class as Retin-A. This group of vitamin A derivatives helps normalize how skin within the hair follicle sheds and treats all forms of acne — blackheads, whiteheads, inflammatory acne, cysts, and post-inflammatory pigmentation," said Dr. Palm. "Applying this cream to areas prone to blackheads helps eliminate them over time."

This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Related: The 17 Best Products for Blackheads That Remove Grime and Clear Skin

How to Prevent an Inflamed Blackhead

In addition to treating swollen blackheads with a cream or cleanser, Dr. Palm recommended avoiding using oil-based products and ones that aren't labeled "non-comedogenic" to prevent new blemishes from forming.

Inflamed Blackheads and Scarring

Although picked blackheads don't usually leave behind scars like cystic acne and whiteheads, it doesn't mean that they can't happen. "Blackheads, by definition, are non-inflammatory and should not cause scarring. However, long-standing blackheads can enlarge, creating dilated pores over time," she explained. "It's important to treat inflammation early. Salicylic acid peels and using a retinol or retinoid cream are the most helpful means of improving impending scars and preventing discoloration."

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