what causes feline acne and treatment

Medicalnewstoday.com

1. Tea tree oil...is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory...

2. Jojoba oil...may help to repair damaged skin...

3. Aloe vera...is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory...

4. Honey...help to clear waste and debris from clogged pores...

5. Garlic...

6. Green tea...

7. Echinacea...

8. Rosemary...

Learn More...

Healthline.com

1. Apply apple cider vinegar...contains several organic acids...

2. Take a zinc supplement...important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism and immune function...

3. Make a Honey and Cinnamon Mask...

4. Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil...

5. Apply Green Tea to Your Skin...

6. Apply Witch Hazel...

7. Moisturize With Aloe Vera...

Learn More...

Top10homeremedies.com

1. Give your skin a gentle oatmeal rub...its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature helps clear the acne away...

2. Apply a paste of aspirin...can reduce inflammation...

3. Try lemon juice...cleans out the dirt...

4. Dab Tea Tree Oil...

5. Apply Aloe Vera Gel...

6. Put an Ice Pack...

7. Use Basil...

8. Apply a Speck of Toothpaste...

Learn More...

Is feline acne contagious to other cats?

What Causes Cat Acne?

• Reduced Immune Response. Stress may suppress your cat’s immune system. A low immune system means they can’t fight off bacteria and infection easily, which may lead to breakouts on their ...
• Hormonal Imbalance. Stress can also sometimes lead to a hormonal imbalance. ...
• Dietary Intolerances. Many cats are notoriously picky eaters. ...

How do you cure cat acne?

Treatment For Cat Acne

• Topical Treatments. Mild cases may respond to simple topical treatments, similar to human acne treatments, including antibacterial and cleanser shampoos, washes or wipes that may contain chlorhexidine, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic ...
• Systemic Treatments. ...
• Monitoring And Prognosis. ...

What causes feline hyperthyroidism?

Thyroid Response to Low Intake of Iodine:

• Deficient dietary iodine intake causes the thyroid gland to make less T4
• Plasma T4 levels drop
• This results in increased TSH release from the pituitary gland
• leading to increased iodide trapping in the thyroid gland to maintain T3 secretion
• resulting in thyroid hypertrophy due to increased TSH release = GOITER

What causes feline endocrine alopecia?

Understanding Feline Alopecia

• Symptoms. The hair loss often occurs on the underside of the cat and along the inner thighs.
• Causes. ...
• Diagnosis. ...
• Treatment for Environmental and Psychogenic Causes. ...
• Treatment for Endocrine Causes. ...

How can I treat my cats cat acne?

According to PetMD.com, products that you already have in your pantry may be able to help soothe your cat's acne. After getting the go-ahead from your veterinarian, try cucumber pulp, green or black tea, aloe, organic apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, or coconut oil for mild cases—they may do the trick.

Should I be worried about feline acne?

While it is generally a mild condition, acne can still cause discomfort for your cat. If you notice any of the following, consult your vet or veterinary dermatologist as soon as possible: Crusty lesions under the chin or on the lips. Hair loss at chin or lips.

What antibiotic treats cat acne?

Topical medications, such as benzoyl peroxide, metronidazole gel, clindamycin gel or mupirocin ointment, are useful for treating feline acne.

Will feline acne go away?

Mild feline acne may disappear on its own. Treatment may be necessary otherwise, especially in severe cases. In extreme cases, your cat may have to be on antibiotics for four to six weeks. Most pets will respond well to improved hygiene, and a change in food dishes and water bowls.

How do I stop my cat getting chin acne?

How to Treat Feline Chin AcneGentle cleansing of the affected area twice daily with a mild soap, benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine, or antiseborrheic shampoo, which will help flush out the hair follicles.Add a fatty acid supplement with omega-3 fatty acids to help improve skin health.More items...•

Can I put Neosporin on my cat?

It may be tempting to slather Neosporin on your cat when you see it has a wound. But this first-aid kit staple, otherwise called triple antibiotic ointment, isn't recommended for use on cats. Neosporin can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in cats.

Can cat acne spread to other cats?

Is cat acne contagious to other cats? Feline acne is not contagious. Cat acne is essentially plugged hair follicles related to the overproduction of keratin.

Can I use benzoyl peroxide on my cat?

Cleaning Your Cat's Face Use a product (like the ones below) with Benzoyl Peroxide or Chlorhexidine as the active ingredient. Warning: Avoid products containing Salicylic Acid – which is in most of the over-the-counter human acne pads – as salicylic acid can be toxic to cats and their chin is an area they often lick.

What causes acne on the chin of a cat?

If the cat responds with rubbing and scratching, it can break the skin, causing a bacterial infection with draining skin pustules. If acne is caught early enough, applying topical benzoyl peroxide may clear it ...

Why does my cat's chin hurt?

Allergic cats are at greater risk for developing it, possibly because their skin is already inflamed. If the acne itches and the cat responds by rubbing, scratching and licking it, the chin may also become infected and painful. If the chin turns red and/ or oozes pus , the acne will require antibiotic treatment.

How long does it take for a cat to heal from a chin infection?

The acne should heal in two to three weeks. If not, the cat might have an underlying condition (such as feline herpes, which can lower the immune system), a recent chin injury or another disorder. For instance, indoor/outdoor cats that enjoy hunting can wind up with ulcers on their chins and lips from mites they pick up while eating mice.

Why do cats lie out in the sun?

Certain skin parasites can also resemble feline acne. Pale and white cats that like to lie out in the sun are especially prone to developing squamous cell cancer.

Can cats get acne from humans?

See your veterinarian any time a wound does not heal. Although feline acne is unsightly, cats cannot pass it onto humans or other cats in the household.

Can benzoyl peroxide be used for acne?

If acne is caught early enough, applying topical benzoyl peroxide may clear it up , according to Dr. McNeal, but more advanced lesions require antibiotics, and she said it can be difficult to catch an early case of acne.

Why does my cat have acne?

Acne in cats can be caused by poor grooming habits or abnormalities in your cat's skin surface, oil production or immune-barrier function. It can also be caused by excessive grooming where the chin is repeatedly rubbed on the fur.

What are the signs of acne in cats?

Symptoms of the condition can include b lackheads or whiteheads, mild red pimples, watery crusts that can develop on the chin and (less commonly) lips, and swelling of the chin.

Where is acne on a cat?

Cat acne is found almost exclusively on the chin and lower lip of your cat , where the hair follicles become plugged with a greasy material called sebum. Some cats may only have a single episode of acne while others have a life-long, recurring problem. The frequency and seriousness of each acne flare-up, however, can vary with each animal.

How to treat acne in dogs?

To begin, treatment of the condition will begin with a good cleaning of the infected area with an antiseptic cleanser and will involve the use of pet antibiotics and topical shampoos. This should help to clear the acne.

What is the procedure that a veterinarian performs to check for mites?

Your veterinarian may also rely on certain procedures including skin scraping (to looks for mites or fungal infected hairs), taking a fungal culture, a microscopic examination of the cells and a biopsy, which is rarely needed but is sometimes necessary.

Causes of Feline Acne

Cats have oil-producing glands just like humans. When the hair follicles around those glands become clogged, acne forms. The exact reason for this clogging or “folliculitis” (meaning inflammation of the hair follicle) is not yet understood.

Clinical Signs of Feline Acne

The most common sign of feline acne is what appears to be a dirty, crusty chin. It may start out looking like “blackheads” in humans. Unfortunately, it can progress further if the blackheads (aka comedones) become inflamed, swollen, reddened, and infected.

How is feline acne diagnosed?

Feline acne is usually diagnosed on appearance alone and/or the history of using a plastic food or water bowl. However, it’s not always that easy.

Treatment at the Vet and Home Remedies for Feline Acne

There are some things you can try at home before calling to make an appointment for an exam with your vet. First off, you can change your cat’s food and water bowls to stainless steel or glass if plastic or even ceramic bowls have been in use.

How to Prevent Feline Acne

One of the easiest yet most effective ways to prevent feline acne is to, as mentioned, offer your cat their food and water in stainless steel or glass bowls. Also important is to clean those bowls regularly such as once a day.

When to Contact a Vet

If you’re worried about your kitten or adult cat showing signs of feline acne, an exam is a good idea. You can book a video call with us at FirstVet here to get an initial assessment of your kitty and to help determine if any follow-up might be needed.

Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding feline acne or another condition?

Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.

How to treat feline acne?

Treatment of feline acne depends on the severity of the condition. Products to inhibit the formation of blackheads, remove excess sebum and flush the hair follicles as well as treating secondary infections and eliminating the underlying cause if found.

What is a cat's acne?

What is feline acne? Acne is a common skin disorder in cats that is characterised by blackheads (comedones) and inflammation on the chin and lips. It typically occurs in adult cats, with a median age of onset of four, and has no sex or breed predilections.

How do you know if your cat has acne?

Clinical signs. Cats with feline acne develop follicles that become blocked with black sebaceous material on the chin and less often at the margins of the lower and upper lips. Some cats stay in this stage, while other cats develop inflamed and irritated hair follicles which become swollen and infected.

What is the condition of a cat's chin?

Feline acne is a skin disorder affecting the chin of cats where hair follicles clog with oil and dead skin cells, to form blackheads.

Why do cats have blackheads?

The hair follicles of cats with acne become clogged with sebum or keratin due to over-production of keratin, a protein in the outer layer of the skin), exposure to oxygen causes this build-up to turn a brown/black colour, hence the name blackheads (or comedones). Over time, the follicle becomes inflamed, irritated and infected.

Why does stress cause sebum to grow?

Stress triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and also inhibits the immune system so bacteria can grow unchecked in the excess sebum.

Why is my cat's chin so painful?

Poor grooming. The chin is a difficult area for cats to clean, senior and arthritic cats can find it painful to groom. Obesity and dental pain can also be predisposing factors in an overall reduction in grooming behaviours. Often treating arthritis and dental pain can lead to a reduction in feline acne.

What are the symptoms of feline acne?

Feline acne: symptoms. Symptoms of feline acne on the chin include (less to more severe): Black heads that, at first glance, can be confused wit flea droppings. If the problem progresses, pustules and papules may appear, at times with an exudation of pus.

How to get rid of cat acne?

Apply hydrogen peroxide onto your cat’s skin with a cotton ball. Make sure to clean off any excess chemical off. The use of benzoyl peroxide for cats suffering from feline acne is also a very common as an antibacterial. In fact, we recommend using a gel containing benzoyl peroxide rather than hydrogen peroxide for cats.

What is the most common skin condition in cats?

Feline acne is one of the most common skin conditions in cats. Cat acne is an inflammatory problem that occurs on a cat’s skin and lips. Cat acne on the chin can occur in cats of any age, breed and gender.

How to tell if a cat has acne on his chin?

Symptoms of feline acne on the chin include (less to more severe): 1 Black heads that, at first glance, can be confused wit flea droppings. 2 If the problem progresses, pustules and papules may appear, at times with an exudation of pus. 3 In more serious cases we you may notice furunculosis (the infection of an entire hair follicle and surrounding tissue), cellulitis and/or a cutaneous bacterial infection. 4 These such complications can give rise to an edema (a swelling caused by fluid accumulation) and/or inflammation of the nearest lymph nodes. 5 These such aggravated cases can also generate severe itching.

How to treat acne on cats chin?

Shave off your cat’s chin hair. Clean your cat’s infected area with chlorhexidine daily. Mild cases of feline acne can be controlled long-term by applying retinoids (inactive forms of vitamin A). Oral fatty acids may work for some cats. We recommend opting for metal and ceramic troughs and drinkers.

How do I get rid of acne on my cat?

A professional will assess your cat’s specific case and, depending on the presented symptoms and causes, will prescribe the most appropriate anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and/or disinfectant.

What is the protein that causes cat acne?

Keratin is a protein present in the epidermis that, in this case, will form a plug in the follicle. The hyperactive sebaceous glands, associated with hair follicles located in the chin, will thereby produce more fat that will clog the follicles. This fat is what predisposes a cat to feline acne resulting in the presence of blackheads.

Why does my cat have acne?

Cat acne starts when the chin sebaceous glands and surrounding hair-linked sebaceous glands become over-active, causing excessive secretion which appears as yellow or brown accumulations on the fur of this area. The openings of the glands get blocked by this thick secretion, combined with excessive keratin, creating comedones ...

How do you know if your cat has acne?

Symptoms Of Cat Acne In Cats. Early signs of cat acne include excessive greasiness and discoloration of the skin in the area of the chin and lips. Comedones (blackheads) and whiteheads may be seen.

What is the name of the gland that makes cats' hair shiny?

Cat acne is linked to a particular type of gland in the skin, known as the sebaceous gland. Most of the sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles, producing an oily secretion (known as sebum) that coats the hairs, making them shiny, waterproof, and flexible. As well as these hair-based sebaceous glands, there are separate larger sebaceous ...

What is the problem with cats lips?

Cat acne is a common skin condition affecting the chin and lips of cats. The problem resembles human acne, and while there are some parallels in causes and treatments, there are also many differences.

Why do teenagers get acne?

In humans, acne is most common among teenagers, influenced by changing hormones, and in particular, raised androgens (male hormones).

What tests can you do to check for acne in cats?

It’s likely that your veterinarian may also carry out other blood work, including the usual panel of diagnostic tests, such as hematology (blood count) and biochemistry profiles, to confirm that there is no other underlying cause of your cat’s acne.

What is the best medication for cat acne?

Isotretinoin, also known as 13-cis-retinoic acid and sold under the brand name Accutane, has been used for human cases of acne, and has sometimes been recommended for very severe cases of cat acne that do not respond to standard treatments.

Why does my cat have acne?

It's thought that stress, a compromised immune system, poor grooming habits, and other skin conditions may trigger the acne.

How to tell if my cat has acne?

The spots (blackheads or pimples) are small, firm and black. If you stroke him just under the chin, you'll notice that the skin feels gritty . While acne is usually found on the chin, your cat may also have acne lesions above his lip.

How to get rid of black spots on cat?

1. Take your cat to the veterinarian. If the cat has black spots, but is otherwise well, the vet may suggest keeping the area clean with a disinfectant wash. You might be instructed to wash the area with something like dilute chlorhexidine and told to monitor the acne.

How to get rid of chin scabs?

Use a follicle-flushing shampoo. To wash the chin, wet it with damp cotton wool and add a drop of benzyl peroxide shampoo to the wool. Rub this on the chin and leave it in to dry for 5 minutes. Rinse the area well using a clean flannel cloth soaked in water.

Why does my cat's chin look so swollen?

Watch out for infected acne spots. If there's infection, the area may look more swollen, which can make the chin more prominent than usual. It might seem like your cat is jutting his chin out. You'll also see blood-stained discharge, which can either be watery or smelly and pus-like, coming from each spot.

How to get rid of a cat's chin rash?

Moisten a cotton wool ball with the solution and wipe it over the cat's chin twice a day. Monitor the area and if the lesions worsen, check in with your vet. Chlorhexidine is suitable for use in cats because it is not toxic to them and does not sting.

How to get rid of a cat with a swollen ear?

1. Cleanse non-infected spots. If your cat has spots, but they're not infected, simply clean the spots. You can use a topical cleansing agent like chlorhexidine, which comes as a concentrated pink, soapy liquid. Dilute the chlorhexidine in water, with a ratio of around 5ml chlorhexidine to 100 ml of water.

Why does my cat have acne on his chin?

It is believed that plastic can encourage the breakout as it’s been mostly noticed in cats that use plastic bowls for food and water. Poor grooming, especially in older cats, can also lead to acne.

How to stop cat acne?

Even though the causes leading to cat acne are still unclear, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk. Changing to steel or ceramic bowls for your cat’s food and water is often hailed as the easy and effective way to prevent acne from developing.

What is the area of acne in cats called?

In cats, acne mostly forms around the chin area, which is why it’s commonly referred to as cat chin acne.

How to get rid of acne breakouts?

Chlorhexidine antibacterial washes can be used to clean the area where the acne is developing. Use the treatment a couple of times of day until the breakout starts to subdue. Aloe vera can also be applied after the area has been disinfected, to help soothe the skin.

Can cats get acne?

Unfortunately, acne is not a problem reserved for humans. Cat acne also exists and can affect felines quite often. Although it’s still unclear why it develops, there are a few things a cat owner should know to help their pet get back to their normal self. Keep reading to find out how feline acne manifests and what cat acne treatment is most effective in alleviating the condition.

Can you use human acne on cats?

It’s important to talk to your vet before starting any treatment, and don’t use human acne treatments on your pet, as they are too harsh for a cat’s skin. Here are some of the most common solutions to cat acne:

What Is Feline Acne?

Causes

Treatment

• Acne in cats can be caused by poor grooming habits or abnormalities in your cat's skin surface, oil production or immune-barrier function. It can also be caused by excessive grooming where the chin is repeatedly rubbed on the fur.

See more on petmd.com

Prevention

Aftercare

Prognosis

FAQ