Acne is a distressing condition affecting majority adolescents and has a considerable impact on their mental health. It generally starts at puberty, becoming most severe during late teenage and can also persist into the thirties of forties. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition involving the oil glands at the base of hair follicles commonly appearing as:

• Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
• Blackheads (open plugged pores)
• Small red, tender bumps (papules)
• Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips
• Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
• Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)

Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.   WHY DO YOU HAVE ACNE? The key components involved in the occurrence of acne are increased sebum(oil) production, colonization of pilosebaceous (oil) duct by propionibacteria, which in turn causes inflammation and hyper-cornification and occlusion of pilosebaceous ducts. Severity of acne is related to sebum excretion rate, which increases at puberty. Hormones have a major role in regulation of sebum production. They include androgens, estrogens, progesterone, growth hormone, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and glucocorticoids. Both androgens and progestogens increase sebum excretion while oestrogens reduce it. Family history of acne is also an important contributory factor.   WHICH FOODS CAUSE ACNE? Foods with high glycaemic index aggravate acne:

• Milk and milk products
• Fast foods- fried chicken, cheese burgers, pizza, potatoes and french fries etc
• Processed foods like chips
• Sugar containing beverages like soda, sweet tea, canned juices, cold drinks etc
• Cakes, doughnuts, pastries, cookies, chocolates
• Cheese, butter, meat and poultry
• White rice, cereal, white breads, etc.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin A and D, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and have low glycaemic index help in reducing acne:

• Green leafy vegetables
• Yellow and red fruits like carrots, apricot etc
• Tomatoes
• Nuts and cashews
• Pumpkin seeds
• Beans, peas, lentils
• Brown rice
• Unprocessed fruits and vegetables
• Legumes
• Whole grain

WHY WOULDN’T YOUR ACNE STOP DESPITE GOOD SKINCARE? Contrary to popular belief junk foods are not the sole cause of acne. Underlying hormonal disturbance results in persistent acne. Some of the causes of hormonal acne are:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Certain medications
• Changing hormonal levels in women, including irregular menses, during pregnancy, during menopause or after discontinuing birth control
• Family history of acne
• Pre-existing medical condition such as polycystic ovaries (PCOS)

WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR ACNE? Homoeopathic medicines work wonderfully in cases of acne. Any hormonal disturbance primarily originates due to stressful emotions. Your homoeopath addresses your emotions during case taking and thus prescribes on the totality of your symptoms. Acne is a manifestation of the internal disorder. Homoeopathic medicines act on the root cause of all diseases. Therefore, under homoeopathic treatment, when the internal hormonal disturbance is corrected, acne get relieved without any side effects or future recurrence. Few homoeopathic medicines for acne are Calc sulph, Kali brom, Pulsatilla, Antim crud, Sulphur etc. Doctors at Honey Homoeo Clinic have an expertise in treatment of acne with wonderful results. Your doctor will take your detailed case history in order to recognize underlying causes and factors responsible for your acne and then prescribe you an individualized medicine along with instructions on dietary and lifestyle management and skincare.   For treatment of acne, contact us at HONEY HOMOEO CLINIC