What is acne?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands which is usually associated with excessive sebum secretion, affecting areas which are rich in sebaceous glands, disease affects almost all male and females during puberty.

It is not caused by bacterial infection although bacteria play an important role in the development of acne or pimples. Face, neck, back, chest and shoulders are the most common areas affected by acne.

Types of acne

There are mainly two types of acne

1. Inflammatory acne
2. Non inflammatory acne

Inflammatory acne – inflammatory acne include pustule, papule, nodule and cyst.

Non inflammatory acne – include white head and blackhead.

Causes of acne

There are various causes of acne. Basic cause of acne includes increased secretion of sebum or increased activity of sebaceous gland and blockage of hair follicles or pilosebaceous ducts.

Some precipitating factors mainly include

• Hereditary
• Cosmetics
• Certain drugs
• Stress
• Hormonal disturbances after using hormonal contraceptive pills
• Exposure to heavy oils
• Exposure to cobalt radiation
• Accumulation of dead skin cells
• Tropical climate
• High glycemic load diet

Complications of acne – complications of acne mainly include

• Scarring
• Low self esteem
• Secondary bacterial infections or abscess
• Acne conglobata
• Diagnosis of acne

Treatment of acne

Topical therapies are the main line of treatment in case of mild acne

Benzoxyl benzoate

Retinoids

• Tretionin
• Adapalene
• Isotretinoin

Antibiotics

• Erythromycin
• Tetracycline
• Clindamycin

Combination drug therapies

• Benzoxyl peroxide/erythromycin
• Zinc /erythromycin
• Isotretinoin/erythromycin

Benzoxyl peroxide – it treats non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions in a effective manner

Topical Retinoids- it is useful particularly for non inflammatory lesions.

Topical antibiotics – useful in reducing inflammatory lesions

Systemic antibiotics – reduce inflammatory mediators.

Homeopathic treatment for acne – Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat acne but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to cure acne that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensations and modalities of the complaints.  For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. There are following remedies which are helpful in the treatment of acne:

Antim crude – acne on the face and shoulders with dry skin in fatty persons

Arsenic album – an excellent remedy for acne on the nose

Belladonna – acne red in color, burning and painful

Borax – remarkable remedy for the acne on the nose and the lips

Calcaria carb – acne on the roots of hair bleeds on scratching

Dulcamara – acne on face around menstrual period, in humid weather

Asterias rub – acne on the face at the age of puberty

Thuja – acne after vaccination

Hydrocotyle – acne of face, when associated with uterine derangements

Berberis aquifolium – acne, pimples and blotches on the face of girls

Psorinum – acne from fat. Sugar, coffee , worse during menses

Bovista- acne due to use of cosmetics

Calcaria Phos – acne of anemic girls at puberty, associated with menstrual troubles

Calcaria Sulph – acne and pustules on the face and around ears with the discharge of yellow secretion

Eugenia – simple and indurated acne, painful, black heads, red pimples on the sides of nose, mouth, and chin

Fagopyrum – red and sore acne, on the hairy parts, itching worse by scratching

Graphites – acne worse during and after menses

Kali Brom – acne on the face, chest and shoulders, with depresses centre, acne may be associated with increased sexual urge.

Ledum Pal – acne red, on the forehead and cheeks

Pulsatilla – pimples aggravated at puberty and at the start of menses, in over weight girls who have delayed menses

Radium Brom – small pimple with redness itching and burning

Sepia – acne or pimples on the forehead near the roots of hair, acne before menses

Sanguinaria – acne on the face with the sensation of burning and itching

Causticum – acne on the nose

Magnesia Mur – acne on the face which appear before the beginning of menses in the females who are constipated.