If you have blackheads on your inner thighs, you may want to find a solution to your problem that won't leave your skin red, bruised or infected. Blackheads are called black-headed comedones, or blocked skin pores. While much of the information provided on DIY sites can help you, some of the tips may cause more harm than good. Potentially harmful solutions, such as scraping off the outer layer of your skin or scrubbing your skin too much, may only aggravate your skin or push the blackheads deeper into your pores. Here's more to know about blackheads in general, why you get them on your inner thighs and what you can do to get rid of them safely.

Why Do You Get Blackheads on Your Inner Thighs?

Black-headed comedones are forms of acne, or a condition that develops from clogged skin follicles. The blemishes occur when bacteria, dead skin cells and sebum, or the oil produced by your sebaceous glands, build up around your hair follicles. Blackheads appear dark because of the chemical reaction between air and the pigment melanin, which is found in your skin's cells.

The glands that make sebum attach directly to your hair follicles, which lie deep within your skin's pores. Sebum isn't normally bad for your skin. The oil protects your skin from dryness and keeps your hair follicles soft and healthy. Sebum only becomes a problem when your skin produces too much of it, especially on your inner thighs. When combined with certain factors, such as excess body fat, friction and sweat, your risk for blackheads may increase.

Friction is caused when your inner thighs rub against each other when you walk, run or exercise. One of the most common signs of inner thigh friction is discoloration of the skin. Your skin may appear black, dark brown or tan, depending on your natural skin complexion. The friction can cause chafing between your thighs that allows bacteria to invade your pores and hair follicles. Being overweight might make the chafing and subsequent skin blemishes worse in some people.

Your skin also contains sweat glands along with sebaceous glands. Excess sweat can mix with the contents of your pores and develop into black comedones and painful lumps. You might even develop a skin problem called hidradenitis suppurativa, which is a serious dermatology disease. Hidradenitis suppurativa creates a host of problems for you, including abscesses and deep skin tunnels that leak pus.

You can take steps to treat your inner thigh blackheads with the right tips.

How Do You Get Rid of Your Blackheads?

To help get rid of your blackheads, or at least reduce their development, wear jeans, slacks or long shorts that fit comfortably, but not too tight or loose on your thighs. Loose clothing may actually make your skin problems worse. Also wear non-absorbent fabrics such as polyester instead of cotton. Although cotton absorbs moisture, it may not allow the moisture to dry up right away. Your thighs will stay damp instead of cool and dry. 

Also, avoid scrubbing your inner thigh skin with harsh exfoliating soaps, creams and loofahs. These items are used to remove the outer layer of your skin so that new skin grows in its place. But the excessive scrubbing can leave your skin, pores and hair follicles vulnerable to bacteria.

If you choose to exfoliate your thigh skin, use natural honey and oats to do so. Oatmeal is considered a gentle, natural skin treatment that removes blackheads, soothes irritated skin and removes dead skin cells. Honey has antibacterial properties that help treat acne blemishes.

You may want to use your oatmeal and honey treatment when you shower. Otherwise it may become messy. Here's what you do:

1. Place 1/2 cup of plain oatmeal in a mixing bowl.
2. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey.
3. Combine the ingredients with your fingertips.
4. Apply the mixture to your damp inner thighs, then massage your skin with your fingertips for 2 or 3 minutes. You can take longer if you wish.
5. Rinse your skin with cool water, then pat it dry with a soft towel.

You can use the treatment at least twice a week, or you may adjust the time as you see fit. The results may vary, so monitor your thigh skin for improvements.

To learn more about your thigh acne, consult with a dermatologist at at a medical center like the Center Of Dermatology PC/Herschel E Stoller MD today.