Unlike the spots you typically find on your face, back, or chest, stomach acne isn't always the result of a blocked pore or hair follicle. Instead, Medical News Today suggests that ingrown hair or folliculitis are the main culprits for what may look like stomach acne.
If you're experiencing a breakout of inflamed spots, you may be dealing with folliculitis, a common skin condition brought on by a "bacterial or fungal infection." According to Healthline, folliculitis may present as a collection of spots, a rash, or a "large, single bump" that can last for a few days or become a chronic condition. Staphylococcus aureus is usually the culprit of folliculitis, as this bacteria is always on the skin. An infection occurs once the skin is broken and the bacteria enters a hair follicle which presents itself in an acne-like rash (via the American Academy of Dermatology).
Like Staphylococcus aureus, the yeast Pitysporum is always on the skin, but it can overgrow when triggered by stress, high temperatures, trapped moisture, and greasy skin products. You can also get folliculitis from spending too much time in a hot tub if the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa is present (via the Centers for Disease Control).
It's always best to see your doctor if you have symptoms of folliculitis, as they can prescribe hydrocortisone or antibiotic ointment to treat whichever bacteria may have infected your skin.
