ACNE (PIMPLES)

Acne vulgaris (or simply acne) is a chronic skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring. Acne is almost ubiquitous in the teenage years. Peak teenage is in the late teenage. Though it becomes less common in adulthood, nearly half of people in their twenties and thirties continue to have acne and nearly 4% continue to have difficulties into their forties.

AETIOLOGY

There is a clear relationship between severity of acne and sebum excretion rate, but while increased sebum excretion is necessary for the development of acne, it is not sufficient to cause it alone. The main determinants for sebum excretion are HORMONAL, accounting to the onset in teenage years. Androgens are the principal sebotrophic hormones, although progesterone’s also increases sebum excretion, whilst oestrogens reduce it. There is a tendency to develop acne in the first degree relatives due to GENETIC FACTORS. Multiple genes are related to the candidates of acne rather than a single gene as seen in many other diseases.

Propionibacterium acnes colonises the pilosebaceous ducts and acts on lipids to produce pain and inflammation.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Lesions are usually limited to face, shoulders, upper chest and back, but can extends to buttocks in rare cases. Mild acne is classically defines as open (blackheads and closed comedones (whiteheads) limited to the face with occasional inflammatory lesions. A combination of keratin breakdown products and bacterial products gives rise to the black colour seen in the blackheads. Acne may be considered to be of moderate severity when a higher number of inflammatory papules and pustules occur on the face compared to mild cases of acne and acne lesions also occur on the trunk of the body. Lastly, severe acne is said to occur when nodules and cysts are the characteristic facial lesions and involvement of the trunk is extensive.

MANAGEMENT

Mild form of acne can be easily controlled without the use of any medicines. Follow these simple steps to control acne from your home…..

Tweak Your Diet:

Some foods cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, triggering a boost in insulin. Too much insulin in your bloodstream can trigger changes in your body that can lead to the growth of pore-clogging cells. It can also boost action in your oil glands. So make some changes to your meals. A study in the American Journal of Nutrition suggests you may have fewer breakouts if you add more whole grains, beans, and veggies and cut back on white rice, white bread, and sugar.

Get Some Exercise:

Exercise helps cut stress, which may contribute to acne outbreaks. Physical activity also helps your skin by increasing your blood circulation, which sends more oxygen to your skin cells and carries cell waste away.

Sip Water:

Increasing the amount of water you drink is a great way to flush out internal toxins and hydrate your skin from the inside out. Though there is no definitive research that shows toxins lead to breakouts, researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that having about 2 cups of water significantly boosted blood flow throughout the body and skin.

Cleanse Twice a Day:

The face has more oil-producing glands than any other part of the body, says Carolyn Jacob, MD, a Chicago dermatologist. Top that with a day's worth of makeup, sweat, smog, dust, and dirt, and you're left with a pore-clogging concoction that, if not washed away regularly, will seep into and fill pores, resulting in blackheads and pimples. Even if you don't shower twice a day, it's important to wash your face thoroughly and gently in the morning and at night. 

De-Germ Your Cell Phone:

Several studies have shown that cell phones are hotbeds for germs. Throughout any given day your phone can be exposed to thousands of bacteria, which spread from your fingers (via texting) to your face (via talking) and vice versa. In addition, the heat produced by your phone can help bacteria to multiply. To keep the germs from landing on your face, wipe the surface of your phone with a little hand sanitizer each day. It’s best to use headphones.

TREATMENT

Moderate and severe forms of acne needs medicinal treatment along with other managements. Homeopathic treatment for Acne is strongly suggested. It helps in the following ways:

• ⇒ Controls the tendency to have acne.
• ⇒ Addresses underlying hormonal disturbance which gives one a proneness to have acne
• ⇒ Reduces excessive oiliness of skin
• ⇒ Reduces acne directly
• ⇒ Controls infection
• ⇒ Controls scar formation
• ⇒ Reduces hyperpignementation following acne
• ⇒ Controls tendency to scar formation following acne

The homeopathic medicines for acne or pimples are chosen on the basis of the underlying causes and factors which lead to or increases acne. There are about 20 most common medicines to choose from, for acne.Consult a qualified homoeopath in your area to have better treatment. We at MEDLILLY offers specialised treatment for acne.

PROGNOSIS

Acne usually improves around the age of 20 but may persist into adulthood. Permanent physical scarring may occur in some cases.

Homoeopathic treatment has high rates of success in treating acne without side-effects.