HOMOEOPATHY FOR ACNE

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne usually appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Effective treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up.

Acne is most common among teenagers, with a reported prevalence of 70 to 87 percent. Increasingly, younger children are getting acne as well.

Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scar the skin. The earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.

Causes-- Four main factors cause acne:

·        Oil production

·        Dead skin cells

·        Clogged pores

·        Bacteria

Acne typically appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. These areas of skin have the most oil (sebaceous) glands. Acne occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.

Hair follicles are connected to oil glands. These glands secrete an oily substance (sebum) to lubricate your hair and skin. Sebum normally travels along the hair shafts and through the openings of the hair follicles onto the surface of your skin

When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can build up in the hair follicles. They form a soft plug, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive. If the clogged pore becomes infected with bacteria, inflammation results.

The plugged pore may cause the follicle wall to bulge and produce a whitehead. Or the plug may be open to the surface and may darken, causing a blackhead. A blackhead may look like dirt stuck in pores. But actually the pore is congested with bacteria and oil, which turns brown when it's exposed to the air.

Pimples are raised red spots with a white center that develop when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or infected. Blockages and inflammation that develop deep inside hair follicles produce cyst-like lumps beneath the surface of your skin. Other pores in your skin, which are the openings of the sweat glands, aren't usually involved in acne.

Factors that may worsen acne       

These factors can trigger or aggravate an existing case of acne:

Hormones. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives also can affect sebum production. And low amounts of androgens circulate in the blood of women and can worsen acne.

Certain medications. Drugs containing corticosteroids, androgens or lithium can worsen acne.

Diet. Studies indicate that certain dietary factors, including dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods — such as bread, bagels and chips — may trigger acne. Chocolate has long been suspected of making acne worse. A recent study of 14 men with acne showed that eating chocolate was related to an increase in acne. Further study is needed to examine why this happens or whether acne patients need to follow specific dietary restrictions.

Stress. Stress can make acne worse.

Symptoms-- Acne signs and symptoms vary depending on the severity of your condition:

·        Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)

·        Blackheads (open plugged pores — the oil turns brown when it is exposed to air)

·        Small red, tender bumps (papules)

·        Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips

·        Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules)

·        Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin (cystic lesions)

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When ACNE is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

ASTERIAS RUBENS 30- Asterias rubens is considered a specific remedy for pimples. Pimples occur at the age of puberty. Pimples appear on the side of nose, chin and mouth.

EUGENIA JAM. Q--Eugenia jam. Is effective for simple and indurated acne which is painful. Red pimples and rosy skin on the sides of the nose, chin, and mouth.

BELLIS PRENNIS Q—A specific remedy

JUGULANS REGIA Q- Jugulans regia is effective for red pimples with itching on the face.

HEPAR SULPH. 30-Hepar suph is an effective remedy for acne which are pustular in nature. It is suited to acne of youth. Hepar sulph is prescribed when the pimples are painful in nature. Pus or blood stained pus oozes out from the pimples.

CHRYSAROBINUM 3x—Indicated for acne.

CALCAREA SULPH. 30-Calcarea sulph is effective for pimples which suppurates. Yellow coloured pus oozes out from the pimples.

FAGOPYRUM Q—Red and sore blotches here and there and also on the hairy parts. Itching worse from scratching. 

ECHINACEA Q—Small red pimples on face and neck.Red pimples and rosy skin on the sides of the nose. Fine eruptions on forehead and cheeks.

KALI BROMATUM 3X- Kali Bromatum is prescribed for acne located on the face, chest and shoulders. Marked itching may attend the acne. The acne may be simplex, pustular or indurated. Kali Bromatum is also prescribed where acne leaves ugly scars. Bluish-red pimples are a sure shot sign of Kali Bromatum .

ICHTHYOLUM Q—Acne on chin. Face feels dry and itches.

ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM 30-Antimonium Crudum is an excellent remedy for acne that is more on cheeks.It is prescribed when heat is present along with acne. The acne may be papular or pustular. Yellow scabs may cover the acne. Burning sensation is present along with acne. The patient experiences indigestion. The skin is dry , worse in summer.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 30-  Natrum Mur is effective for  itchy acne on oily cheeks.The patient felt prickling pain .The complexion is earthy. The patient have a peculiar craving for salt and salty things.

SULPHUR 200-Sulphur should be tried when well selected remedies fail. Sulphur is a very useful  for acne that is extremely itchy. Sulphur is advised for people with dirty, unhealthy looking skin covered in acne that itch a lot. Scratching worsens the itching. The itching gets aggravated during the night. Warmth, too, worsens the itching. Burning sensation may also be observed.

HYDROCOTYLE ASIATICA Q—Acne of red colour on the face , nose and chin.

SILICEA 200-Silicea is indicated for acne on forehead. It is best better for pustular acne. Itching may attend the acne.Pimples are rose coloured and the skin is pale and waxy. Excessive sweat may be noticed along with acne on the face, especially the forehead

BERBERIS AQUIFOLIUM Q- Berberis Aquifolium is considered to be a specific for pimples. It is best for acne that result in formation of scars.This remedy clear off acne scars.

BOVISTA 30-Bovista is an effective remedy for pimples resulting from the use of cosmetics , especially during summer.  This acne is mainly papular. Swelling of cheeks may be noted along with the acne. Pain and itching may present.

NUX VOMICA 30--Nux Vomica is effective for acne resulting from gastric complaints like chronic chronic constipation or indigestion. The acne may be itchy and accompanied by a burning sensation.

DULCAMARA 30—Dulcamara is useful for acne during menses . Humid eruptions and blotches appear on cheeks and face. Worse in cold and wet weather

PULSTILLA NIGRICANS 30-Pulsatilla Nigricans is very effective for pimples at puberty , especially girls who are overweight and have delayed menses.Acne also occur menstrual irregularities of any kind. Acne worsened with consumption of fatty foods .

PSORINUM 200-Psorinum is one of the best medicines for acne. It is indicated for acne of all types It is equally effective for acne in oily skin where the overactive sebaceous glands secrete excess sebum leaving the skin constantly greasy. Psorinum helps decrease oil secretion and treat acne.Psorinum is effective for acne resulting from eating sweets, chocolates, meat and fatty food. It also treats intolerably itchy acne and that which worsens during the winter.

SEPIA 30-Sepia is effective for treatment of acne in women before menses.Pimples appear on the forehead near the root of hair.