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(also referred to as ...) Blackheads, Closed Comedomes, Deep Acne, Inflamed Papules, Juvenile Acne
Open Comedomes, Pimples, Pustules, Superficial Cysts, Whiteheads
Description Acne is an inflammatory condition affecting the skin. It typically starts at puberty but can also appear in adults who went through their teens blemish-free. Acne is the most common of all skin problems and involves an interaction between hormones, skin oils, and bacteria that inhabit the skin and hair. It tends to affects males more than females as male sex hormones (androgens) such as testosterone stimulate glands in the skin that cause acne. Your skin naturally produces oils that lubricate the skin and prevent water loss. A number of factors can cause the sebaceous glands, found on the face, chest, shoulders, and portions of the back, to enlarge and produce excess oil (sebum). Dried sebum, flaked skin, and bacteria can collect in skin pores and block the flow of sebum towards the surface. This blockage leads to blackheads and whiteheads. Bacteria grow in the plugged pores and break down fats in the sebum, which further irritates the skin and leads to pimples and other skin eruptions.
Acne Types
Blackheads (Open Comedomes) A blackhead is a non-inflamed, partially blocked, pore. The surface of the pore is widened and contains solid material inside, including sebum (which has combined with skin pigments), keratin, and microorganisms. Its exact composition is not known.
Whiteheads (Closed Comedomes) A whitehead is a non-inflamed, completely plugged, pore with a core much smaller than that of a blackhead. It is composed of sebum, keratin, and microorganisms. Ruptured whiteheads tend to lead to pimples.
Inflamed Papules/Lesions/Pimples/Pustules/Superficial Cysts Bacteria activity in whiteheads and blackheads irritates the skin and leads to skin eruptions. The resulting inflammations can be quite vivid and are generally referred to as "pimples". Papules are small, solid pimple-like swellings of the skin. Pustules look similar to smallpox lesions. They are small, with elevated pools of pus under the skin and leave a depressed scar after they heal
Superficial Acne Superficial acne consists of inflamed papules, pustules, blackheads, whiteheads, and superficial cysts. No abscesses are present. Large cysts may occur as the result of manipulation or trauma to the previously mentioned lesions. Healing tends to occur without scars. However, excess manipulation of blackheads and superficial cysts or scratching of ruptured lesions may lead to scarring.
Deep Acne Deep acne consists of the above mentioned lesions, in addition to deep, inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts that rupture and become abscesses. Some abscesses break on the skin surface and expel their contents. The infection can also spread and produce large, raised, red-coloured inflammations. Lesions occur on the neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest, in addition to the face. Frequently, scarring occurs.
Symptoms and Signs:
Much to the chagrin of many teenagers, the signs of acne are quite apparent. Blackheads, whiteheads, and lesions appear on the face, back, and chest and range from a few to many. Whiteheads and blackheads are almost always present. Pimples at various stages of development are also present.
Causes:
Acne is caused by an interaction between hormones, keratin, sebum (oil) production, and bacteria. Hormone levels (including androgens) increase during puberty in both sexes and stimulate sebum production. Excess sebum clogs pores at approximately one eighth of an inch below the skin's surface. This leads to inflammatory lesions in the form of pimples, papules, and pustules and non-inflammatory whiteheads and blackheads. Food allergies in adults can lead to acne. Common culprits include sugar, wheat, and chocolate. NOTE: Chocolate itself does not cause acne, but an allergy to chocolate can. These foods promote mucous and pus in hair follicles, which can clog pores and lead to acne. Yeast allergies and sensitivities can also cause acne. A number of brands of birth control pills can cause acne. Consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine viable alternatives if you are experiencing acne outbreaks. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and is used to expel toxins that have not been eliminated by the liver or kidneys. Toxins that are removed in this process can cause skin irritation and lead to a number of skin disorders, including acne. Climate, certain types of makeup, excess iodine intake, seasonal changes, stress, and sun exposure can all cause acne. It is also a hereditary skin condition and runs in families. Working women are more susceptible as they are under stress, wear makeup, and experience premenstrual symptoms, which includes acne. Although it is a common assumption, there is little evidence to correlate specific dietary habits with the development of acne. Candy and potato chips may be a staple of many diets (and not recommended in and of itself), but this does not automatically lead to the formation of acne. Dirty hair or skin do not cause acne either.
What to Expect:
Acne usually begins with puberty, as hormone levels start to fluctuate. Lesions normally last from one to four weeks, but will always go away. Acne is worse in winter than summer, owing to the beneficial effects of sunlight. Acne usually spontaneously remits, but this period cannot be predicted. Acne significantly decreases after the teenage years but lesions can appear sporadically throughout adulthood.
Remedies
When (Not) To Remove You should not squeeze pimples or whiteheads, as these inflammations can become more irritated (prolonging their stay) and may lead to infection. The contents of squeezed whiteheads can leak into the pores of surrounding skin, leading to a pimple. A pimple will also form from the rupture of a whitehead pore wall. If a pimple has a small central yellow pus head, a gentle squeeze will open it, expelling the pus. With the pus clear, the pimple will heal more quickly. Blackheads can be removed, but only with a specially designed instrument. The pore should then heal. Consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner, as this procedure is best done by them. NOTE: If not done carefully, excess trauma to blackheads may cause scarring. For deep acne, consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine the appropriate form(s) of healing for your needs. If your skin becomes severely inflamed and is red or purple in colour, or your pimples form scars after they heal, seek medical attention from your naturopath or other health practitioner. Conventional Approaches Over the counter acne preparations contain benzoyl peroxide as their primary ingredient. This substance dries out the blemish. Other topical products contain tretinoin (Retin-A), which prevents pore blockage and promotes skin exfoliation. Tretinoin should not be used if you are pregnant. It will also cause extreme sun sensitivity. Antibiotics may be prescribed, but should be avoided. Long-term use depletes beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, hinders food absorption, promotes yeast and bacterial growth in the body, and often leads to candidiasis. For severe acne, isotretinoin is often prescribed and has a noticeable effect in 90% of people who have taken it. It shrinks the sebaceous glands and prevents plug formation. However, this drug can cause severe complications during pregnancy, including extreme defects and fetal brain deformities. If you are taking (or plan to take) this medication, ensure you are not pregnant at least one month before use and for one to two months after. In addition, use a reliable contraception and take a pregnancy test one a month. Aromatherapy Geranium has antiseptic properties and will help cleanse congested, sluggish skin. Add 4 drops to a large bowl of hot water. Place a large towel over your head that will cover the bowl. Close your eyes, lean 12 inches over the bowl, and capture the steam on your face for 10 minutes. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Apply one drop pure Tea Tree oil directly on the blemish. Tea Tree oil acne gel is also available and should contain 5 to 15% oil. Check the cosmetics section of your local health food store. Alternatively, add 10 drops tea tree oil to 1 oz./30mL liquid hypo-allergenic face soap and blend well. Cleanse problem areas in the morning and night. Tea tree oil generally acts more slowly than benzoyl peroxide preparations, but has fewer side effects. Herbs The tonic/alterative properties of burdock make it useful for dealing with acne. Alterative herbs gradually correct or alter impure conditions of the body and increase health. If preparing a decoction, bring 3 1/2 cups water with 3 teaspoons root to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Divide into 3 doses for the day. Dried root is also available in capsule or tablet form. Take 1 to 2g three times daily. If using a root (not seed) tincture, take 40 to 80 drops daily. Burdock preparations are often combined with other cleansing herbs, including cleavers, red clover, and yellow dock. Homeopathy Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy. Acne with Blackheads. Selenium: Facial skin is oily and shiny. Presence of blackheads and loss of hair. Adolescents feel fatigued and chilled. Papular Acne The main characteristic is the presence of papules (small, solid pimple-like swelling of the skin). There are black heads and no pus. A chronic condition. Alumina: Redness is discoloured and livid and veins are varicose. Calcarea Phosphorica: For females who are anemic at puberty (Juvenile Acne). Headaches occur on the top of the head (vertex headaches), and feel better by eating. Eugenia Jambosa: For Juvenile Acne and Rosacea. Acne is more prominent in adolescent females just before menses. Pustular (Pus-Filled) Acne The main characteristic is the presence of smallpox-like pustules (small, elevated pools of pus under skin) that leave a depressed scar after it clears. Antimonium Tartaricum: Variola-like scars, pus-filled acne. Kalium Bromatum: Outbreaks of hard, pus-filled, discoloured acne on the back, face, and chest. Lifestyle Makeup is the major factor for acne outbreaks in adult women. The primary irritant is the fatty acid derived oil in the product, which is more harsh than those naturally present on your face. Use a non-oil based makeup instead or better yet, go natural. Avoid cosmetic products that contain isopropyl myristate, lanolins, laureth-4, sodium lauryl sulfate, and C & D red dyes as they are also too rich for your skin. Choose natural cosmetics instead. Some labels state that the product is nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, indicating they do not promote acne. Check the cosmetics section of your local health food store. Be sure to thoroughly clean your face of makeup each night. Use a mild soap and rinse the soap entirely off your face as well. Reduce stress levels. Stress increases hormone levels in the body and a number of them stimulate oil glands. Reduce unnecessary elements in your life that demand, yet do not deserve, attention. Take moments for yourself -- even five minutes will help for starters. Go for a walk. Enjoy a relaxing bath. Sit and watch the sunset. Minerals Zinc can reduce the severity of acne. Take 30mg two to three times daily for a couple of months, then reduce to 30mg daily. It may take up to three months before any improvement is noticed. Use zinc picolinate, acetate, monomethionine, or chelate for optimal absorption. Raw pumpkin seeds are also an excellent source of zinc. Do not exceed a dosage of 100mg from all sources as high zinc levels can become toxic and depress the immune system. Miscellaneous A hot water compress will help soften blackheads and whiteheads, making for easier removal. Sunlight tends to reduce the severity of acne. It has bacteriostatic properties and promotes mild dryness and slight scaling. However, this should not be used as an excuse for prolonged sun exposure -- acne should be regarded as a trivial inconvenience compared to sunburn and skin cancer. If you are taking birth control pills and are experiencing acne, consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine viable alternatives. Therapies, Healing Aids, and More Acupressure can improve skin appearance by focusing on the stomach meridian, which is one of several energy pathways involved in skin function. Allergy testing should be performed to indicate sensitive foods that should be eliminated from the diet. Common food allergies related to acne include wheat, sugar, and chocolate. Remember that the foods we are the most allergic to are also the ones we most crave and most frequently consume. Skin tests or positive IgE RAST testing can help isolate specific allergens. Vitamins Vitamin B6 may help relieve premenstrual acne flare-ups experienced by some women. Take 50mg daily.
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