Acne

At the prime age of adolescence when young boys and girls become aware of their looks, beauty and complexion, it is at this time that the perils of acne start. This is the time when a personality makeover starts and the children develop self confidence, self identification and evaluate themselves in context to the community, friends, mentors, parents and seniors.

On the contrary, the appearance of acne causes a reverse effect and the youngsters avoid meeting people, social gatherings and places where they may be noticed which leads to guilt, anger, frustration, self conflict and a very negative outlook to everything in general.

Acne is a disease that involves the oil glands of the skin. It is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Your skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles – small canals. Sebum, an oily liquid, is produced by these glands. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of your skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked and infected.

They tend to appear on the patient’s face, back, chest, shoulders and neck.

The acne eruptions are categorized into 3 types depending on their look and severity –

Cause and Occurrence

• Starting from the young age of 11years to 13 years acne occurs any time even in adults till the age of 30-35 years.
• The first and foremost cause is  the hereditary inborn trait which also decides the type of skin we have and if there is a predisposition to get acne. Although it affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer – probably because of testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men.
• The oil producing  sebaceous glands which are responsible for the luster and glow of an individual’s skin start over reacting to the hormones giving rise to greasy skin blocked and infected pores and blackheads resulting in various types of Acne.
• Girls and women with acne tend to get it worse one or two weeks before their menstrual period arrives. This is probably due to hormonal changes that take place. Conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Disease or Syndrome (PCOD) also pre dispose acne.
• Anxiety and mental stress, lack of sleep, night watching, anger and indignation leading to depression cause thyroid dysfunction and altered androgen hormones making acne worse. The patient has a lusterless complexion, dark circles around the eyes, dull and dry unmanageable hair with a reluctance to look at their own image in the mirror. Stress also makes some people do binge-eating and acne worsens from oily foods and chocolates.
• Hot and humid climates which lead to more sweating can cause a rise in the eruptions especially if cleanliness level is not maintained.
• Using  Oil based products like moisturizing creams, lubricating lotions, and all makeup that contain oil will speed up the blocking of your pores leading to aggravation of acne. The trick is to be aware of the quantity and type of product to be used according to the four seasons we have.
• Certain hair products are very greasy and might have the same effect as oil based makeup.  Dandruff is also a major factor leading to blocked pores and formation of acne and also leads to secondary fungal infection.
• Squeezing the pimples can cause the acne to get worse and can cause scarring which is major effect in obstinate cases.

The Homeopathic Approach

• A patient suffering from acne which in most of the cases started at the age between 12 and 15 years.
• goes through a series of treatments involving antibiotics, local lotions and applications and the side.
• effects of such medications cause a challenge to the general health and growth of the youngsters.
• leading to other complications like colitis with a change in the intestinal flora, secondary fungal infections.
• mouth ulcers, unhealthy teeth and dull complexion.
• The Undebatable and time tested treatment of Homeopathy aims at treating the causative and precipitating factors and the homeopathic remedies can be taken for years together without any side effects.
• Disturbed intestinal flora, constipation and accumulation of nitrogenous wastes leading to outbreaks on skin are tackled with medicines like Granatum, Acid tannic, Natrum Phos and Allium sativa.
• Altered hormonal level is mainly taken care of without the support of external hormones with effective medicines like Pulsatilla, Cimicifuga, Oophorinum.
• Bad effects of night watching and stress are covered by detoxicating and rejuvenating well tolerated medicine Nux vomica, Acid Nitric, Cocculus Indica. They also help in managing the effects of accumulated sleep patterns.
• Bovista, an important homeopathic remedy is a boon for persons with sensitive skin which helps them to combat acne due to excessive use of cosmetics.
• Co-existing dandruff and excessive perspiration which are a part of acne prone skin is perfectly tackled with Sanicula, Thuja, Badiaga and Merc Sol perfectly aim at targeting these concomitant complaints.
• The above prescriptions are well supported with the Constitutional, deep acting medicines are prescribed after a comprehensive case taking and the hereditary tendencies are tackled by anti-psoric and anti-tubercular miasmatic medicines.
• Various skin types also respond better to different medicines:

• • For a combination skin Selenium and Berberis Aquifolium is more suited.
  • For oily skin Merc sol is prescribed.
  • For dry skin Psorinum and Teucrium are the indicated medicines.

• The type of acne and the location also are important in prescribing the medicines:

• • Small pustular eruptions are tackled by medicine Sulphur iod and Berberis Aqui.
  • Large painful ones with indurations are prescribed Radium Brom and Osmium met.
  • Typical obstinate nest acne located on the back and chest indicate Rumex, Carbo veg and Ginseng.
  • Eruptions on the chin are covered by Ichthyolum.
  • Acne on the nose is the forte of Carbo animalis.

Looking after your skin if you have acne (or are prone to acne)

• Wash your face at least twice each day. Use a mild soap made especially for people with acne, and warm water. Do not scrub the skin.
• Don’t try to press or squeeze the pimples. You may push the infection further down, causing more.
• blocking and worse swelling and redness. Popping pimples makes scarring more likely.
• Try to refrain from touching your face with your hands.
• Keep your hands clean, wash them regularly. Always wash your hands before touching your face and.
• when applying lotions, creams or makeup.
• Spectacles should be cleaned regularly since they may collect sebum and skin residue.
• Your skin needs to breathe. If your acne is on your back, shoulders or chest try wearing loose clothing. Tight garments, such as headbands, caps and scarves should be avoided – if you have to wear them.
• make sure they are cleaned regularly.
• Don’t go to sleep with makeup on and cleanse your face thoroughly to clean off all oil and dirt which cause acne.
• Hair collects sebum and skin residue. Keep your hair clean and away from your face.
• Too much sun can cause your skin to produce more sebum.
• If you shave your face, do it carefully. Use either an electric shaver or safety razors. If you use a safety razor make sure the blade is sharp. Soften your skin/beard with warm soapy water before applying the shaving cream.