Acne vulgaris;causes,symptoms and home remedies
Acne vulgaris;Cystic acne;Pimples;Zits
Acne is a skin condition that causes whiteheads,blackheads,and inflamed red growths (papules,pustules,and cysts) to form. These growths are commonly called pimples or “zits.”
Causes,incidence,and risk factors
Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin,called pores,become clogged.
- Each pore is an opening to a follicle,which contains a hair and an oil gland. These oil glands help lubricate the skin and help remove old skin cells.
- When glands produce too much oil,the pores can become blocked. Dirt,debris,bacteria,and inflammatory cells build up. The blockage is called a plug or comedone.
- The top of the plug may be white (whitehead) or dark.
- If the plug breaks open,the material inside causes swelling and red bumps to form.
- If the inflammation is deep in your skin,the pimples may enlarge to form firm,painful cysts.
Acne is a problem of swelling and inflammation,not a problem caused by bacteria.
Acne is most common in teenagers,but it can happen at any age,even in an infant. Three out of four teenagers have some acne. Hormonal changes probably cause increased oil in the skin. However,people in their 30s and 40s may also have acne.
Acne tends to run in families and can be triggered by:
- Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods,pregnancy,birth control pills,or stress
- Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products
- High levels of humidity and sweating
Despite the popular belief that chocolate,nuts,and greasy foods cause acne,research does not confirm this idea. Diets high in refined sugars may be related to acne,though.
Symptoms
Acne commonly appears on the face and shoulders,but it may also occur on the trunk,arms,legs,and buttocks.
- Blackheads
- Crusting of skin bumps
- cysts
- Papules (small red bumps)
- pustules
- Redness around the skin eruptions
- Scarring of the skin
- whiteheads
Signs and tests
Your doctor can diagnose acne based on the appearance of the skin. Testing is usually not required.
Treatment
SELF-CARE
Steps you can take to help your acne:
- Clean your skin gently with a mild,nondrying soap (such as Dove,Neutrogena,Cetaphil,CeraVe,or Basics). Remove all dirt or make-up. Wash once or twice a day,including after exercising. However,avoid scrubbing or repeated skin washing.
- Shampoo your hair daily,especially if it is oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face.
What NOT to do:
- Try not to squeeze,scratch,pick,or rub the pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this,it can lead to skin infections and scarring.
- Avoid wearing tight headbands,baseball caps,and other hats
- Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
- Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Take off make-up at night. Look for water-based or “noncomedogenic”formulas. Noncomedogenic products have been tested and proven not to clog pores and cause acne.
If these steps do not clear up the blemishes,try over-the-counter acne medications. You apply these products directly to your skin.
- They may contain benzoyl peroxide,sulfur,resorcinol,or salicylic acid.
- They work by killing bacteria,drying up skin oils,or causing the top layer of your skin to peel.
- They may cause redness or peeling of the skin.
A small amount of sun exposure may improve acne a little,but mostly it just hides the acne. However,too much exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays is not recommended because it increases the risk for skin cancer.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES
If pimples are still a problem,a health care provider can prescribe stronger medications and discuss other options with you.
Antibiotics may help some people with acne:
- Oral antibiotics (taken by mouth) such as Tetracycline,Doxycycline,minocycline,erythromycin etc
- Topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) such as clindamycin or dapsone etc
Creams or gels applied to the skin may be prescribed:
- Retinoic acid cream or gel (tretonoin,Retin-A)
- Prescription formulas of benzoyl peroxide,sulfur,resorcinol,or salicylic acid
- Topical azelaic acid
For women whose acne is caused or made worse by hormones:
- A pill called spironolactone may help
- Birth control pills may help in some cases,though they may make acne worse
Minor procedures or treatments may also be helpful:
- A laser procedure called photodynamic therapy
- Your doctor may also suggest chemical skin peeling,removal of scars by dermabrasion,or removal,drainage,or injection of cysts with cortisone
People who have cystic acne and scarring may try a medicine called Accutane. You will be watched closely when taking this medicine because of its side effects.
Pregnant women should NOT take Accutane,because it causes severe birth defects. Women taking Accutane must use two forms of birth control before starting the drug and enroll in the iPledge program. Your doctor will follow you on this drug and you will have regular blood tests.
Expectations (prognosis)
Acne usually goes away after the teenage years,but it may last into middle age. The condition often responds well to treatment after 6 –8 weeks,but it may flare up from time to time.
Scarring may occur if severe acne is not treated. Some people,especially teenagers,can become very depressed if acne is not treated.
Home Remedies for Acne:Management and Remedy
Acne treatment with Vitamins
Two vitamins,specifically,niacin and vitamin A have been used effectively to treat acne. Vitamin analysis should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin,three times on a daily basis,and 50,000 global units of vitamin A,three period daily. Vitamin E,400 mg,should be taken once on a daily basis. This rehabilitation should be continued for a month.
Acne treatment by means of Zinc
One more effective remedy in the region of nourishment that seems to offer new promise of help for acne is zinc. It has shown staged results in some cases. Zinc should be taken in salutary doses of 50 mg three periods a day. Zinc is obtainable in tablet and in capsule form. In pill form,it is available as Zinfet –200 mg (Yash Pharma,Bombay). The patient can take a quarter tablets so as to obtain 50 mg of zinc. In capsule shape,zinc is available as Ulseal 220 mg (Tam Pharmaceuticals). One-fourth of the powder within the capsule can be taken as a lone dose. The patient can take a dose of 50 mg daily equal to one month or till there is noticeable enhancement and then decrease the dose to 25 mg
Home Remedy for Acne by means of Orange peel
Home-based Acne Treatment using Orange peel has been found very useful. Pound the orange skin with water on a piece stone and apply to acne affected areas. One of the good home remedies for acne.
Home Remedies for Acne via Lemon
An easy medicine at home for acne:Lemon juice applied frequently has proved very valuable in reducing pimples and acne.
Garlic:
Garlic has been used profitably to heal acne. Massage with raw garlic several times a day. Garlic is known to have cured the toughest of acne difficulty. The outside use of garlic helps to clear the skin of spots,pimples and boils. Acne can more be cured by intake of three seeds of raw garlic once on a daily basis for a month. This purifies the blood stream and ensures basic purification of blood keeping acne away.
Coriander and Mint Juice: Home Remedies forAcne
A teaspoon of coriander juice,mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder,is an additional effective home medicine for pimples and blackheads. The combination should be applied to the face after carefully washing it each night before retiring. Mint juice can be used in a similar mode as coriander juice. This is one of the besthome remedies for acne.
Acne treatment by means of Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a new useful therapy for acne. A paste made of the leaves of this vegetable,applied over the face each night earlier than going to bed and washed with hot water in the morning,prevents pimples and blackheads. One of the well liked home remedies for acne.
Cucumber:
Grated cucumber applied over the face,eyes,and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes has been found useful. It is the most excellent boost for the skin of the face. Its usual use prevents pimples and blackheads.
More Home Remedies for Acne
- Apply lemon juice and rose water in equal amount with a cotton ball and leave for half an hour and wash. Repeat this remedy for 20-25 days.
- Mix 3-4 drops of lemon juice in 1 tablespoon of sour cream,1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of grind oatmeal. Apply on face,leave the paste for 10-15 minutes and wash.
- A good home remedy is the egg yolk mask which removes the excessive oils from your skin. Apply the egg yolk with a cotton ball to oily spots and leave this on your face for 15 minutes to 20 minutes and wash with cold water.
- Mix 1 tablespoon groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and apply this on acne to prevent acne.
- Take small amount of ground almonds and honey and make a fine paste. Gently massage this paste on your face with a hot washcloth and then rinse with cold water.
- Make a fine paste from sandalwood and black gram. Apply rose water on the face before applying paste. Now apply paste over the whole face and leave it overnight. Clean your face clean with cool water in the morning. Sandalwood has a cooling effect and it does a great job of reducing skin inflammation and irritation because it.
- Mix 1/2 cup mashed apple,1/2 cup cooked oatmeal,1 slightly beaten egg white and 1 tablespoon lemon juice into a fine paste and apply to your face for at least 15 minutes to 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.
- Mix honey and cinnamon powder into a fine paste. Apply on the acne pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for 2-3 weeks,pimples will disappear forever.
- Make a fine paste of turmeric powder with neem leaves. Apply on acne. Wash it off after 25-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
Recommended Diet for Acne
Fruit Acne diet
To start with,the patient is supposed to take only an ‘all-fruit’diet for a week,taking three meals a day,of fresh ripe fruits,such as apples,pears,grapes,grapefruit,pineapples,and peaches. Merely unsweetened lemon or plain water,either hot or cold,ought to be drunk and not anything else.
In proportion Acne diet
Following the one-week,all-fruit diet,the patient can increasingly adopt a well-balanced diet with stress on raw foods,in particular fresh fruit and vegetables,sprouted seeds,raw nuts,and wholegrain cereals,mainly millet and brown rice. Additional short periods of the ‘all-fruit’diet meant for three days or so might be essential at a monthly period till the skin’s state improves.
Keep away from tough tea/coffee,soft drinks and processed foods
Meats,sugar,strong tea or coffee,condiments,pickles,soft drinks,candies,ice cream,developed and processed foods be supposed to be avoided as far as possible.
About the Author
drizharnium@gmail.com,Bangalore India
Hi Friends,I am Izhar currently pursuing MD in Unani System of Medicine from NIUM Bangalore,love all of you,and I’d like to write about my interest,and here i am sharing about my opinion,prevention regarding to many diseases,maintaining views for Health,Beauty &Younger looking Secrets at article base…
