4 Bizarre Places You Always Get Zits—and How to Prevent Them Get rid of those embarrassing bumps for good. Shutterstock

As if a raging red zit isn’t enough to deal with, having one crop up in an unusual place can really throw a curve ball into your routine. But you don’t have to hide away underneath a hat. Find out exactly what causes these annoying breakouts, and learn how to prevent and treat those weird pimples so you can put your best face forward.

Oily Ears Can Lead to Breakouts
“The ears have many sebaceous glands, which makes them a breeding ground for pimples—and when oil from the glands clogs the pores, acne occurs,” says Eric Schweiger, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. The best way to prevent bumps is to make sure you’re cleaning your ears out properly, especially after applying any sticky hairstyling products that can leave grime behind. Use a medicated acne pad containing salicylic acid to wipe the outer and inner parts of the ear, taking care to not go too deep into the ear, says Schweiger.

RELATED: The Right Way to Get Rid of Earwax

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Yes, Nostril Acne Is a Thing
Known as intranasal acne, this kind of pimple forms inside the nose when a hair follicle becomes irritated or inflamed, says Schweiger. You can accidentally invite infection into the area by plucking or clipping nose hairs that in turn irritate the follicle and cause an entry point for infection. Breathing in dirt and dust can also irritate the follicles, but wearing a protective mask over your nose in these kinds of environments can prevent inhalation of particles. Refrain from scratching or shaving inside the nostrils. “To treat nostril acne, use an antibiotic nasal spray or apply a topical antibiotic ointment with a Q-tip,” says Schweiger.

RELATED: Why You Keep Getting a Pimple in the SAME Exact Spot

Scalp Zits Are Actually Very Common
Acne on the scalp forms the same way as acne on your face—by pore blockage. Not only does the scalp produce sebum that can get trapped in pores and cause blockage, but heavy hair products you use, like serum and spray, can also clog pores. Washing hair frequently enough to prevent buildup is the best way to prevent scalp acne, as is staying away from product formulas that contain thick oils. “I recommend Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($14, walmart.com), which is anti-inflammatory," says Schweiger, who recommends alternating that with a shampoo containing salicylic acid. Never use benzoyl peroxide on your scalp since it can bleach your hair color. Yikes!  

RELATED: How to Get Rid of Those Annoying Zits on Your Scalp

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And Then There Are Eyebrow Pimples
Heavy eye shadows and brow gels can cause zits to crop up in and around the eyebrow, but that's not the only cause of brow blemishes. Hair products in bangs that graze the eye area can also cause breakouts, and people who wax or pluck their brows may see pimples result from irritating the hair follicle in that region. The easiest way to treat eyebrow pimples is with an acne-fighting ingredient that won’t sting or cause irritation around this sensitive area. “Dab on a spot treatment containing tea tree oil or sulfur, and let it sit overnight,” says Schweiger. Again, avoid using benzoyl peroxide products that can accidently bleach brows. To prevent eyebrow acne, take the time to thoroughly cleanse the area every night as part of your skin-care routine, and keep skin-care products containing heavy oils or petroleums away from the area.

4 Reasons Why You’re Always So Damn Hungry Don’t worry, you don’t have a tapeworm. Shutterstock
It has been exactly two hours and 36 minutes since your last meal. You know because you’ve been watching the clock. For you, cravings are a way of life. Your stomach is a bottomless pit. Second dinner is a must. And getting “hangry” is a real and ever-present threat.
What gives? We chatted with Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., senior science advisor at Elements Behavioral Health and author of The Hunger Fix, about the top reasons some women are just always ravenous. Check them out—and finally feel full.
1. You Have a Fast Metabolism
Some women were born lucky (thanks, genetics). Others have worked hard, put on muscle, and revved their metabolism that way. And, of course, the faster your metabolism, the more fuel you need. According to research from the University of Vermont, about 32 percent of people have metabolisms that are more than eight percent different (higher or lower) than the population average. So having a fast metabolism might amount to burning 100 to 400 extra calories a day, says Peeke. It’s not as much as you might hope, but it would explain that second serving of lasagna you just had to have.
RELATED: 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism All Day
2. You’re Eating Refined Foods
Processed foods—like white bread, cookies, even salad dressings—spike your blood sugar, let it crash, and then leave you feeling even hungrier than you were before you ate the stuff. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity shows that high-fat, high-sugar foods interfere with mood-regulating chemicals in the brain, leading to symptoms of depression and overeating. “Refined sugar, because it has such a powerful effect on the brain’s reward center, is the most common reason people’s appetites remain so high throughout the day,” says Peeke. Limit the amount of packaged foods you’re eating, and stick with whole-grain carbs whenever possible.
RELATED: 6 Surprising Sources of Refined Carbs
3. Your Hormones Are Out of Whack
PMS is one thing, but some hormonal conundrums can make you hungry all month long. Having hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland, is the most common hormonal cause of constant hunger, says Peeke. When thyroid hormones are too high, the body’s vital functions speed up, and you burn energy faster than intended. Grave’s disease, an immune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Meanwhile, hypoglycemia (perpetually low blood-sugar levels), as well as pre-diabetes and diabetes (too high blood-sugar levels), can also cause hunger spikes, she says. If you believe any of the above might apply to you, talk to your doctor about being evaluated for any hormonal imbalances.
RELATED: 4 Ways Hormones Eff with Your Weight
4. You’re Confusing Hunger with Appetite
Sorry to break it to you, but many women who are “always hungry” actually just always want to eat. “Hunger is a primal biological drive associated with physical symptoms, such as headache, shakiness, and intestinal contractions leading to that hungry, gurgling sound from your stomach,” says Peeke. “Appetite is a psychological drive in which you desire a particular food and seek it.” While, ideally, they would occur together, that’s so not the case. Here’s the best way to tell if you’re actually hungry.