Acne
Acne is a
common skin condition in which the skin pores become clogged, leading to
pimples and inflamed, infected abscesses. Acne can develop in people
of all ages although it is more common among teenagers.
Acne forms
when dried skin oil, flaked skin and bacteria block the skin pores. Excess
keratin (a protein produced by skin cells) can also block the oil ducts
within hair follicles. If the blockage is incomplete, a blackhead
appears; if the blockage is complete, a white head appears. This
type of acne is called superficial acne. When bacterial growth in
the plugged pores further irritates the skin, the pimples may develop into
the underlying skin, forming larger abscesses. This type of acne is called
deep acne.
Superficial
acne often appears as pimples with or without pus-filled blisters. Deep
acne produces large red, raised inflamed pus-filled cysts and abscesses.
These may rupture and leave scars. Squeezing pimples can make superficial
acne worse leading to deep acne with further inflammation and scarring.
Acne is
often treated with topical retinoids, keratolytics (salicyclic acid,
sulfur), benzoyl peroxide, topical and oral antibiotics. These
topical treatments can cause dryness, itching, chapping and peeling,
pigment change in treated area. Oral antibiotics may cause stomach
upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness. Severe acne can be treated
with Isotretinoin (Accutane). Accutane is an effective drug to
reduce oil gland size but it also comes with more severe side effects,
such as dry, itchy, peeling skin, dry mouth, eye inflammation, bone and
joint pain, loss of bone density, depression and birth defects.
Vitamins and Food Supplements for Acne:
Vitamin A
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Vitamin E
Zinc
Essential fatty acids (flaxseed
oil, primrose oil)
Burdock
Red clover
Dandelion
Yellow dock
Topical essential oils
(lavender oil, tea tree oil)
|
