The medical term for pimples/acne is Acne vulgaris. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne may appear in adolescence, and it persists through the early thirties. Acne is more common in males than in females.
The most common sites for acne are face, forehead, chest, shoulders and upper back. (homeopathy pharmacy near me)
Different types of acne
Acne can take several forms. They include:
1. Blackheads: Open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. They look as if dirt has deposited in the bump, but the dark spots are actually caused by an irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle.
2. Whiteheads: Bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin.
3. Papules: Small red or pink bumps that become inflamed.
4. Pustules: Pimples containing pus. They look like whiteheads surrounded by red rings. They can cause scarring if picked or scratched.
5. Fungal Acne (pityrosporum folliculitis): This type occurs when an excess of yeast develops in the hair follicles. They can become itchy and inflamed.
6. Nodules: Solid pimples that are deep in skin. They are large and painful.
7. Cysts: Pus-filled pimples. These can cause scars.
Causes
Acne is largely a hormonal condition that’s driven by androgen hormones, which typically become active during the teenage and young adult years. Sensitivity to these hormones — combined with surface bacteria on the skin and fatty acids within oil glands — can result in acne. Certain things can cause acne and/or make it worse:
1. Genetics.
2. Fluctuating hormone levels around the time of a woman’s period.
3. Using oily or greasy personal care products (like heavy lotions, creams or hair pomades and waxes) or working in an area where with grease (such as working at a restaurant where there are greasy food surfaces and frying oil).
4. Stress, which increases the hormone cortisol, can also cause acne to flare.
5. Some medications- contraceptive pills.
6. Air pollution and certain weather conditions, especially high humidity.
Dermatological grading of acne
Grade 1 (mild): Mostly whiteheads and blackheads, with a few papules and pustules.
• Grade 2 (moderate, or pustular acne): Multiple papules and pustules, mostly on face.
• Grade 3 (moderately severe, or nodulocystic acne): Numerous papules and pustules, along with occasionally inflamed nodules. Back and chest may also be affected.
• Grade 4 (severe nodulocystic acne): Numerous large, painful and inflamed pustules and nodules.
Homoeopathic Management
Homeopathy works from inside out to treat acne, treating several causative conditions along the way to prevent the recurrence of the condition. Rather than suppress acne, these medicines treat the root of the problem. Therapeutic indications of some commonly used homoeopathic medicines are as follows. (warts homeopathy medicine)
1. Kali Bromatum- Itching acne on face, shoulders and chest of young girls. This is most suitable for girls who are obese and suffers from acne due to excess androgens or depression.
2. Silicea- Pus filled,hard acne. Skin looks unhealthy and dirty. This medicine helps to dry the pus-filled acne aiding prompt healing.This medicine is suited to lean, thin, nervous and irritable persons.
3. Pulsatilla- For the acne of young girls with irregular periods. This medicine works wonders in cases of acne due hormonal imbalance. This hormonal imbalance can cause delayed or scanty periods. This medicine is a boon for girls who suffer from mood-swings. (homeopathic hospital near me)
4. Hepar sulphuris- Pus filled acne with pricking pain. The patient is very oversensitive to touch on acne.
5. Sulphur- Acne with marked itching specially at night. Itching of sulphur patient will not get better by bathing. This medicine is useful where so many medicated ointments and washes has been used to treat acne but still they are not getting better.
6. Belladonna- It is useful when pimples are red in color. Along with pimples, the face becomes red and shiny. Increased sweating on face may also be noticed. Though pimples may be present on any part of the face, they usually appear on the chin and the corners of the mouth where Belladonna is required (homeopathy benefits)
General Management
1. Stay hydrated- Drink at least 2-3 litres of water/ day.
2. Take anti-oxidant rich foods- leafy greens, lemons,oranges,nuts,seeds.
3. Avoid fatty,fried foods.
4. Avoid chocolates.
5. Avoid foods with preservatives-canned food products.