Treating Summer Acne

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Good Morning!

 

Treating Summer Acne

 

Although acne can appear at any time during any season, for some the aggravation

of heat, sweat and dead skin cells can clog pores and irritate skin.

 

Acne occurs when the sebaceous glands secrete too much oil. Normally the oil

flows from the glands to the skin's surface, but if the dead skin cells

accumulate, they can clog the pores. The skin reflects our internal health. Acne

is sometimes an indicator of toxic conditions. Too much waste product in the

kidneys, liver, lungs, intestine or digestive problems can all give cause for

breakouts. Allergies, high fat diet, emotional problems, pollution...these are

all causes.

 

Most cases of acne will disappear by themselves at the end of adolescence, but

if acne persists or becomes severe, it should be treated more aggressively to

prevent scarring.

 

Sudden appearance of acne in adulthood may be a sign of hormonal imbalance or

drug toxicity (usually from steroids). Get a medical checkup to rule out these

possibilities.

 

Western drugs, derivatives of Vitamin A, are used to treat acne. Tretinoin

(Retin-A) is a topical preparation, while isoretinoin (Accutane) is for internal

use. These drugs are safe when used under the supervision of a dermatologist but

should not be used casually because they can be irritating and toxic. (Caution:

Do not use if pregnant. These drugs may cause birth defects).

 

Clean the skin regularly with soap and water as well as with the special acne

formulas containing benzoyl peroxide. This is an excellent cleansing agent and

the active ingredient of many lotions and creams, both over-the-counter and

prescription varieties. Benzoyl peroxide may irritate the skin, so it is best to

leave it on for only two hours, then wash it off.

 

Herbs used for general detoxification of the liver and bowels assist in

elimination and herbs that increase perspiration through the skin are very

helpful in treating acne.

 

Acne that grows into large groups can form sebaceous cysts, carbuncles or

furuncles. Boils can be large and inflamed and can be a sign of a staphylococcus

or (staph) infection. Weak immune function, diabetes mellitus, poor nutrition

and the use of immunosuppresive drugs are some causes. Boils are often an

infection that starts at the hair follicle, inflammation occurs and then

spreads. The bacteria in the pus reacts the same as acne in that it is

contagious to the surrounding skin. Staph infection is contagious, can

contaminate new skin, causing new boils or enter the bloodstream and spread to

other body parts. Without treatment, a boil usually comes to head, opens and

drains in 10-25 days.

 

This is something that should be watched carefully. If nausea, vomiting, fever

or infection grows, these are signs that these pus and blood filled boils are

not acne, but a bacterial infection. Severe cases require, blood test and doctor

to prescribe antibiotic and draining incision and bed rest.

 

Boils are usually treated by lancing the boil to get the pus core out and oral

antibiotics are given to get rid of the infection.

 

Poultices, warm towels on a regular basis will help with pain and drawing it out

of skin. Do this 4 times a day for about 20 minutes.

 

Clean the wound. This is important to prevent infection and to decrease the

chance of permanent discoloration, or scarring. Wash the area with soap and

water Your own saliva contains many enzymes, which kill bacteria. Use it to

clean the area if soap/water are not available. The object is to dilute the

bacteria in the wound.

 

Disinfection is necessary, pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into the wound, let

it foam up, repeat, and pat dry with a clean piece of gauze or cotton.

 

Yunnan Paiyao is an excellent Chinese herbal powder, which helps to stop

bleeding, close the wound and decreases scarring. This patent formula alone

helps the flesh regenerate and prevents blood stasis and infections, which could

lead to scarring. It can be used externally and taken internally as well!

Excellent treatment for boils and staph infection.

 

Consider burdock root, which is a natural blood cleanser, red clover to cleanse

the blood, along with Chlorophyll and garlic, a natural antibiotic. Take

additional Vitamins A, C, E, which are powerful anti-inflammatory and Co enzyme

Q10, a fantastic antioxidant.

 

Water should be a very important part of any nutritional program. Distilled

water is best. 6-8 eight ounce glasses a day. Diet is not the major determinant

of acne, but it is important to avoid high-fat, salty and fried foods including

foods with iodine (found in shellfish and iodized salt).

 

 

Wash or pat with lemon juice 3 times daily.

 

 

Increase your intake of vegetables.

 

 

Avoid alcohol, butter, cream, caffeine, cheese, chocolate, eggs, fat, fish,

meat, poultry, sugar and wheat.

 

Do not use any dairy products for a month. Acne may develop due to an allergic

reaction to dairy products. The fat content of the dairy products can worsen the

condition. Add one dairy product at a time to see if the acne returns. See the

Allergy Ellimination Diet.

 

Iodine-rich foods, such as liver, cheese, iodized salt, kelp products, clams,

crabs and other shellfish have been associated with acne, and should be avoided.

Iodine is also used in commercial breads and in processing milk. Consider

switching to alternate products. If you use a lot of iodized salt, switch to

balanced sea salt.

 

Several studies indicate that zinc supplements reduce the severity of acne. In

one study, zinc was found to be as effective as oral antibiotic therapy.

Nutritional doctors sometimes suggest that people with acne take 30 mg of zinc

two or three times per day for a few months, then 30 mg per day thereafter. It

often takes twelve weeks before any improvement is seen. Zinc gluconate 30-80 mg

daily, helps in healing tissue and helps to prevent scarring.

 

Vitamin A—such as 25-30,000 IU per day for females and 30–50,000 IU per day for

males—have been used successfully to treat severe acne. Too much Vitamin A can

be toxic. Only use the recommeneded daily dose. Vitamin A and 400 IU vitamin E,

(use emulsion for easier assimilation), strengthens the protective epithelial

tissue.

 

Vitamin B6 at 50 mg per day may alleviate premenstrual flare-ups of acne

experienced by some women. Vitamin B complex (high potency) with extra B6 and

pantothenic acid, take 50 mg 3 times a day, is important for healthy skin tone.

 

Chromium (GTF) used as directed, aids in reducing infections of the skin.

 

 

Gerovital H-3 face cream (GH-3) used as directed on the label, relieves

inflammation. (Used in Europe with good results).

 

Lecithin one capsule before meals, needed for better absorption of the essential

fatty acids.

 

 

Primrose oil used as directed on the label, supplies the essential

gamma-linoleic acids needed for healing. Unsaturated fatty acids one tbsp.

cold-pressed sesame or flaxseed oil (linseed oil) or take in capsule form,

needed to keep the skin smooth and soft, and to repair damaged cells.

 

 

Managing Your Acne

 

*All cosmetics should be water based, do not use oil-based products.

 

*Blackheads should be removed only with a specially designed instrument.

 

*Picking or scratching may cause scarring.

 

*Shampoo hair frequently with plain soap.

 

*Keep hands clean and avoid touching the face.

 

*Keep the affected area as free from oil as possible.

 

*Long-term treatment with Tetracycline and other antibiotics should be avoided.

 

*Natural hormonal changes for both men and women are some of the primary causes

of acne. Changes usually begin at puberty and end in early adulthood. Increased

testosterone, which males experience at the beginning of puberty causes the

sebaceous (oil) glands to enlarge and produce increased amounts of sebum (oil

and waxes), which pass through the hair follicles to the skin. When the pores

clog, acne occurs. Women, however, often get a mild case of acne beginning a

week before their menstrual period begins, even in adulthood. Birth control

pills can also cause acne.

 

Consider the following regime:

 

For those over 18, start with a cleansing diet to help your system detoxify.

Impurities that cannot be eliminated through the kidneys and bowels fast enough

may erupt through the skin. Make sure you eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.

 

Clean your skin twice daily, morning and evening. This will keep the pores open

and your skin free of bacteria. Discourage new blemishes by using tea tree oil,

a natural antiseptic.

 

After cleansing, splash on some witch hazel on the skin. This is a natural skin

toner.

 

Pat a light layer of powder on the skin especially over acne prone areas. The

powder is a miraculous method for absorbing excess oil.

 

Allergic reactions to particular foods, cosmetics, or other products applied to

your face, such as sunscreens can all play into your acne. Do the eliminate

diet. Your doctor may want to test for allergies, and a blood test is more

effective than a skin scratch test.

 

Begin taking supplements that promote healthy skin.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac

http://peacefulmind.com/acne.htm

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