A blackhead is usually a small dark colored dot like mark on your skin that can occur on various parts of the body. Blackheads are most commonly found on the face, especially around the nose. Blackheads are formed around hair follicles.


There is a type of gland known as a sebaceous gland which secretes a fluid known as sebum. Sebum is an oily fluid. When there is a blockage in the hair follicle, this sebum does not easily flow out of the duct.


Clogging of the pore takes place and the sebum, which is now exposed to the air, turns dark in color due to oxidation. Sebum is actually white or yellowish white in color. A blackhead may therefore be caused by excessively oily skin or skin care products that clog the pores and prevent the sebum from flowing out of the pore easily. It could also be caused by dirt getting accumulated in the pore which is a sign of bad hygiene or may simply happen as a part of your day while travelling, especially in a slightly dusty environment.

Blackheads can also occur on other parts of the body. It is not unheard of to have blackheads on the thighs, particularly on the inner thighs. The appearance of blackheads on the thighs is similar to the blackhead that one might see on the face. It is also possible that a person suffering from facial blackheads could suffer, simultaneously, from blackheads on the thighs. Although the symptoms are identical, the causes are different for these two types of blackheads. A person who suffers from blackheads usually has a higher rate of sebum production than a person who is not suffering from the same condition. When this sebum is secreted in the thigh area, it might lead to blackhead formation. On the thighs, tight clothing, especially during warm and humid weather might cause the pores to become clogged leading to a blackhead problem. This also occurs in people with large thighs that tend to rub against each other while walking or tend to be pressed against each other while sitting. This might create a sweaty patch which can cause dirt or sweat to clog the pores of the skin.

A good way of avoiding this is to clean the area regularly and make sure that the skin is not excessively oily. Also wear clothes that are loose which would allow for the sebum to flow out of the pores in the skin without obstruction.