Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help
Apple cider vinegar is known to help in killing fleas, ringworm, and mites in these pets. What about using it in managing acne?
Petsho.com and an expert answer on WikiHow.com recommend its use, i.e., cleaning your cats chin or affected the area with this product may help reduce mild cases since it has astringent properties. However, you need to dilute it and check if it causes skin irritation.
Flea Dirt Vs Cat Acne
Cat or feline acne and flea dirt can look the same: tiny black specks.
But if flea dirt is caused by a flea infestation, feline acne has multiple causes. Among the leading causes of cat acne are bacteria, stress, and allergens from the environment.
Feline acne is usually found on a cats chin. Sometimes, you will notice red or white pustules on the chin, just like acne on humans.
Feline acne is fairly easy to treat. However, your cat can constantly succumb to this condition if you do not eliminate the underlying cause. Usually, cat acne is caused either by bacteria or allergens in the environment.
After treating the acne, you should make sure that your home is clean. Vacuum your home regularly and wash his bedding from time to time.
Usually, allergies are caused by mold, dust, and pollen. However, some cats are allergic to plastic bowls because these are prone to bacterial buildup. As such, change your cats bowl to one that is made of either ceramic or steel.
Avoid spraying perfume and hair products when you are near your cat. As much as possible, avoid using cleaning solutions that have synthetic chemicals around your home. Your cat may be allergic to the synthetic chemicals found in these products.
How Is Chin Acne Diagnosed
Diagnosis is generally based on medical history and clinical signs. Occasionally, blood and urine tests, as well as skin cultures and sensitivity tests are required. If the lesions do not have a typical appearance, biopsies or skin scrapings may be recommended to rule out neoplasia, immune-mediated disease, or cancer.
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What Is ‘chin Acne’
This disease is called cat acne or, more formally, follicular keratinization. The medical name just tells us that our cats hair follicles are blocked by an excessive production of keratin. Keratin is a protein found in the outer layer of skin. When the keratin is “trapped” in the hair follicle it creates an appearance of a dirty chin on your cat. But it actually is blackheads or whiteheads. Bacteria can invade the comedones and result in pustules . When cases become severe, your cats chin may lose hair, become red, and even bleed. The hair follicles become more inflamed and large sores that resemble boils can form . Once furunculosis occurs, the area can be painful.
What Does Acne On The Chin Mean
Adult acne, and specifically chin acne, are associated with hormonal fluctuations in both sexes. Mens testosterone levels change over the course of a day, while womens are linked to menstruation and thus, follow a monthly cycle.
Usually, hormonal acne doesnt mean anything is wrong with your health. However, if youre a woman with acne accompanied by other symptoms such as weight gain and an irregular period, it may be a sign of a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovarian syndrome .
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Visit The Vet For Stronger Treatment
Never use prescription-strength acne medications for humans on your cat. If a case of feline acne cant be cleared up with the home remedies mentioned above, youll want to make an appointment with your veterinarian for further treatment options. Your vet may need to prescribe antibiotics or medicated wipes and shampoos.
Feline acne doesnt have to be as stressful an ordeal as, say, when you experienced breakouts as a teenager. Although it can be uncomfortable for your cat, youll often find that DIY treatments take care of the issue. When in doubt, seek veterinary help.
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Spots On The Chin: Cat Acne And How To Treat It
Feline acne, also known as follicular keratinisation, is a common skin condition that usually appears on the chin area. For this reason, it is also sometimes referred to as cat chin acne. Some cats will only have mild chin acne, which may pass unnoticed, or you may see some little black spots. Other cats can suffer more severely with it. Even though the exact cause of cat acne is unclear. Our vet explains several things that you can do at home to help get rid of it.
This article was written by a FirstVet vet
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Surgical Scrub Or Antibacterial Medication
In some cases, your veterinarian may clip the hair around the affect area and scrub softly with surgical scrub, a topical antiseptic use to clean the skin, Morgan says. Dr. Stephanie Chlebowski, associate veterinarian at Vernon Veterinary Clinic in Vernon, New Jersey, has also used surgical scrub to treat pets with acne. In some cases, veterinarians may offer pet parents a flush or rinse version that is more diluted and can be used at home. Chlebowski has also prescribed antibacterial topical medications, which are comparable to human antibiotic ointments and contain similar active ingredients. Do not to use acne products intended for humans unless specifically directed by a veterinarian. Also, it is best not to squeeze or pick at your pets acne to avoid infection.
Oftentimes, Dr. Morgan will treat feline or canine acne topically since it is the most effective method, provided that the acne is occurring in one concentrated area of the body. It doesnt make sense to give an animal something oral if is localized, says Dr. Morgan.
What Does Feline Acne Look Like
Feline acne always develops on a cats chin or lip area, giving the cat the appearance of a dirty chin. It usually manifests as a pepper-like flaky black or brown dirt, which sometimes leads cat guardians to incorrectly believe that their cat has fleas, thanks to its resemblance to flea dirt . A simple way to test whether the black stuff is acne rather than flea dirt is to smear some of it on a wet paper towel. Since flea dirt is made primarily of blood, it will leave a rust-colored stain on the towel. If the dirt barely smears or leaves behind a black stain, then its extremely likely that youre dealing with cat acne. Another obvious sign that your cat has acne is if they have tender pink pustules on their chin.
Dont squeeze or pop your cats pimples. This will spread infection and worsen your cats acne. Seriously. As an ex-cat-pimple-popper , the acne doesnt go away until you stop it.
Photo by self, CC-BY-SA-3.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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Antibacterial Agents Including Betadine And Muricin
Your vet may recommend the cleaning of the affected area with mild antibacterial soap, the use of dilute iodine and other topical products because they have antibacterial properties.
Unfortunately, some such as betadine may cause a sting to your furry friend.
Finally, when applying, use a cotton ball and get rid of any excess amount as you wait for them to dry.
How To Get Rid Of Acne
How to Get Rid of Acne Acne is a typical inflammatory skin illness that primarily impacts the face, neck, chest and upper back. It is triggered by an interaction in between Hormonal agents, germs and sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Acne is typically believed to develop at the age of puberty, however, lots of ladies have acne throughout life or it might establish in the adult years.
Treatment for acne depends upon seriousness. Moderate cases might be relieved by cleaning the confront with a gental toilet soap or by drying representatives such as benzoyl peroxide. Serious acne might require oral treatment with prescription antibiotics such as tetracycline or hormonal agent treatment such as dianette, which likewise function as a contraceptive.
Acne is the term for plugged pores, pimples, as well as much deeper swellings that take place on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders as well as the arms. Nobody aspect triggers acne. As doctors comprehend it, when these glands are promoted by male hormonal agents which are produced in the adrenal glands of ladies and boys, acne takes place when sebaceous glands revive around adolescence.
We have actually put together and combined newest details on Acne, acne triggers, acne treatment, acne signs with great deals of natural home remedy for acne remedy.
Some Crucial Realities about acne
Acne Treatment Care
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What Is Chin Acne
Chin acne in cats is a poorly understood disorder of follicular keratinization. Keratinization refers to the overproduction of keratin, a protein found in the outer layer of skin. If this excess keratin is trapped in the hair follicle, comedones or ‘blackheads’ form. Pustules or ‘pimples’ may form if bacteria infect the comedones. Chin acne in cats is similar to the acne that humans get. Cat acne is characterized by the development of folliculitis and furunculosis .
Complete Skincare For Healthy Cats
Acne isnt the only skin problem that can affect our cats. Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy can be used to treat many common issues around a cats face, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and chin. Here are some tips to complete feline facial health.
- Clean their eyes and ears. Daily cleaning can prevent tear staining, It can also flush irritants, discharge, and debris that could lead to discomfort down the road.
- Keep on top of allergies.Allergies can be seasonal, and they can also be caused by other factors, such as bites from fleas or mites. Either way, they can cause some serious itching! Use Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy to soothe allergy symptoms in your cats eyes, ears, and chin.
- Take care of wounds. Most cats get an occasional cut or scrape, especially if they have a friend that they like to tussle with. Treating wounds with Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy can help them to heal more quickly and can also prevent infection.
- Dont forget oral hygiene. Feline Antimicrobial Facial Therapy would make a great addition to your cats dental routine. Use it to rinse kittys teeth and gums and to treat minor mouth sores.
A simple skincare routine with the right product can keep your cat looking and feeling great in her skin.
This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions and anecdotes are my own, and I never promote any products or brands I dont believe in. ~Petfully yours, Kristen
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How To Spot It
When your cat is relaxed, tilt his face up or gently scratch under his chin so that he lifts it. At first glance, your cats chin may appear dirty, as if spotted with tiny black dots between the chin hairs. Just like in humans, feline acne may present as blackheads or whiteheads. In more serious cases, PetMD reports that your cat may develop nodules, bleeding crusts, pustules, hair loss, a severe redness of the skin, and be in painwhich can indicate boils and/or a bacterial infection.
Additional Tips To Prevent Acne In Cats
- Switch the cat bowls to glass, ceramic or stainless steel. At times, what may be perceived as cat acne may be allergic reactions to plastic food and water bowls. Also settle for a shallow dish so the cat doesnt get their chin too deep into it.
- Have the bowls cleaned daily
- Learn to clean your cat regularly. Keep its chin cleaned up to avoid feline acne resulting from poor grooming habits. It is especially important to clean the cats chin after every meal if they have had acne flare ups in the past.
- Clip hair on the affected area to minimize accumulation of acne causing substances.
- To prevent the oil glands from being impacted and to break up the oil, brush your cats chin every day.
In most cases, feline acne will disappear without any intervention. Left alone, the skin condition will clear on its own. However, in case you feel a need for intervention, the above remedies should work within a few days.
Cases of cat acne resulting from chronic exposure to pesticides, chemicals and detergents may linger on for as long as the cat is subjected to the same. The same applies if it is caused by hormonal imbalances. Eliminate the causes for your pet to be free of acne.
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How To Treat Chin Acne
Once it has been confirmed that your cat has chin acne, it is time for treatment.
If your veterinarian has prescribed medications and made recommendations on treatment to care for the area, it is important to follow their directions carefully. Your veterinarian may prescribe or recommend:
- Cleansing the area with special cleaning pads
- Antibiotics
- Wash cat bedding regularly in hypoallergenic laundry detergent and cover with dust mite covers
- Cool mist humidifiers help in dry climates
- If your cat has food allergies, be strict with what they eat and follow the advice of your veterinarian with regards to feeding recommendations
Clean Your Cats Chin Daily
A dirty, oily chin is one of the contributing factors to feline acne. Beyond clogging your cats pores, this oil can contain bacteria which could cause an infection to develop. Gently wipe your cats chin area with a warm, damp washcloth 1-2 times per day, or as needed. In an effort to loosen the acne, hold the warm washcloth to your cats chin as a compress.
In addition to warm water, it is considered safe to apply a small amount of witch hazel, Epsom salts, diluted iodine, or antibacterial soap to the cleaning routine. You can also find pet-specific skin cleansers containing the antiseptic chlorhexidine.
Be careful not to apply these products too often. They can dry out your cats skin if over-applied. If your cats acne clears and you continue to clean their chin to prevent acne recurrence, reduce the application of any added cleansers to once a week.
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How Is Cat Acne Diagnosed
Your veterinarian can often make a diagnosis based on a physical examination. Your veterinarian may perform skin scrapings, cultures and biopsies to rule out the existence of other medical problems.
There are several other medical conditions that can easily be confused with feline acne, such as ringworm , yeast infections or food allergies.
How to Help Prevent Cat Acne?
- Clip the hair under your cats chin.
- Dont use bowls that are chipped or damaged.
- If your cat is a messy eater, switch to a food that is less messy.
- Help your cat to keep its chin clean. Gently wipe under the chin with a wet facecloth.
- Ensure your cats diet includes essential fatty acid supplements to help maintain healthy skin.
- Use wide, shallow bowls so your cat doesnt have to stick his head in deeply .
- Some cats are allergic to plastics and dyes. Plastic bowls tend to get nicked and scratched and are also porous allowing bacteria to collect and multiply. Replace plastic food and water bowls with stainless steel, glass or ceramic dishes.
Cat Acne Treatment
Some home remedies to control mild acne are gentle cleansing of your cats chin with:
These help control the formation of comedomes and levels of bacteria. Dont use human medications to treat feline acne unless advised to do so by your vet.
Feline Acne Natural Treatment
Firstly, keep in mind that those cat chin sores can be painful, especially if they have got to the stage of bleeding.
There are a few things that are commonly used for feline acne treatment remedies. Some of these work quite well, especially in keeping the area clean.
My personal favorite feline acne treatment remedies is Witch Hazel Lotion. Simply soak a cotton ball or cloth with the Witch Hazel, and using a gentle mopping action, swab the area of the feline acne. It can be left for a few minutes to soften the discharge before repeating again.
Witch Hazel is an excellent and very gentle cleanser. And therefore it is also fantastic for whitening those areas that get discolored anyway. It is great for messy eaters and even for spot cleaning a cats coat at shows.
You can also use Apple Cider Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide on Feline Acne if the skin is not broken.
Something else you might like to try is a special Skin And Coat Tonic, which is a food supplement of natural herbs and biochemical tissue salts. I have more information and some reviews on this product here: Skin And Coat Tonic Reviews.
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What Is Feline Acne And What Causes It
Cats can experience breakouts just like humans. Feline acne is the result of a buildup of sebaceous fluid in the cats hair follicles, forming comedones, or blackheads on their chin and lip area. In some cases, the cat may also develop pus-filled whiteheads. In most cases, feline acne is only a cosmetic issue, and wont bother the cat at all. Many cats pimples go away on their own after a short period of time, while other cats experience recurring breakouts throughout their lives and require care and preventative treatments.
Feline acne is usually considered idiopathic, meaning there is no clearly identifiable cause. Acne can happen without a definitive instigator. This doesnt mean the lights are out on contributing factors, though.
The cat guardian and veterinarian communities have been able to identify several conditions and factors which may increase your cats likelihood of a breakout.