Acne is a very common adolescent skin problem. We often see many young individuals with acne. Acne can be cured and controlled using Homeopathic medicines very effectively. Know here more about acne and homeopathy.
The word acne is derived from the Greek word “Acme” which means prime of life. Acne can be defined medically as a skin condition characterized by red pimples on the skin, especially on the face, due to inflamed or infected sebaceous glands.
Acne develops from our very special gland known as the sebaceous gland which secretes fatty acids and sebum. It can be on the face, external auditory meatus, back chest, and anogenital area, on the eyelids, and mucosa. Acne can be caused when there is an increase in the sebum and blackheads.
The Main Causes
Many factors are responsible for the development of acne.
Hormones: Secretion of various hormones cause an increase in the size of sebaceous glands because of which there is an increased amount of sebum production.
In some women use oral contraceptives can also cause acne.
Certain Diseases: Some kind of systemic disease can affect hormones in the body, like adrenal hyperplasia or any tumor which affects the adrenal glands.
Prednisolone, when given to suppress the signs of rheumatoid arthritis or some other chronic inflammation, can also induce troublesome acne.
It is also seen in cases where antiepileptic drugs are used.
Diet: Certain food items can worsen pimples, acne such as chocolate, nuts, coffee, and cold drinks.
Sweat, oil: Sweat can also cause acne. Acne worsens in winter in some cases. Excessive oil secretion from the skin can also cause acne-like lesions. Cosmetics acne is seen in adult women using excessive cream, cosmetic products.
Types of Acne
Acne vulgaris: It is the most common type of acne which often seen in puberty and affects mainly the face, back, and chest.
It is often seen within families. It is most common in boys between ages 16 to 18 years. Patent of this type often complains of excessive oil on the skin with blackheads and pimples developing. Pus related skin lesions can often be seen in these patients.
Acne excoriee (skin-picking disorder)
It is compulsive skin picking or psychogenic excoriation. It is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pick at one’s own skin. The patient is usually is a girl who often picks at the skin producing disfiguring erosions. Small acne spots around the chin, forehead, and jawline are picked, squeezed, and otherwise altered by manual interference.
Infantile acne: Infantile acne or Baby acne is acne that develops on a baby’s face or body. Baby acne can occur anywhere on the face but usually appears on the cheeks, nose, and forehead. In this localized acne is seen on the face in the first few months of life.
They clear spontaneously but may last for some years.
Acne conglobata: This is a severe form of acne which is more common in boys. It is mainly seen on the trunk, face, and limbs. It is a highly inflammatory disease with nodules, abscesses, and draining sinus tracts. This condition generally begins between the ages of 18 and 30. It usually persists for a very long time, and often until the patient is around 40 years old.
Acne fulminans: It is a severe form of acne, which can occur after unsuccessful treatment for another form of acne, acne conglobate. It is associated with fever and joint pains.
Occupational acne: It is mostly seen in workers who have long term contact with oils or tar. It is often seen farmers who uses weed killer.
Acne rosacea: It is characterized by acne on the forehead and cheeks. It is most commonly seen in women than in men. Redness is seen with prominent blood vessels. Pus related lesions can also be seen. There thickness of the skin of the nose.
What is Homeopathic Treatment of Acne?
Most acne patients improve spontaneously after a few months. Patients with acne are often depressed and may need sympathetic counseling and support. There are many good remedies available in homeopathy that helps in acne.
List of Homeopathic Medicines Used To Treat Acne
- Sulfur 30
- Kali bromatum 30
- Antimonium crudum 30
- Berberis aquifolium (also comes in tube form)
- Natrum muriaticum 200
- Belladonna 200
Sulphur 200C
This is the great Hahnemannian anti-psoric. Its action is from within outward having a strong affinity on the skin, where it produces heat and burning with itching, which worse by the heat of bed, in the evening, in springtime, damp weather. One of the characteristic symptoms is that patient has a dislike for water. Skin is dry and there is great dryness. The sinking feeling in the stomach around 11 am.
Standing is the worse position for the sulfur patient. This kind of patient is dirty, filthy people who are prone to skin affections. There is a great aversion to being washed. There is the general offensive character of discharges. The skin of the patient is very dry, scaly, and unhealthy. Every little injury suppurates (Pus-like lesion). There is great itching, burning which is worse when scratching and washing. There are pimply eruptions in the patient. Skin affections after local medication.
Dosage
3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
Kali bromatum Kali. brom. 30
This is a great remedy for acne in patients with poor memory, sadness, loss of mental capabilities, and loss of sexual desire. It is a very important remedy for psoriasis. The patient has acne on the face, pus lesions. There is itching which worse on the chest, shoulders, and face. There is a loss of sensation of the skin.
Dosage
3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made
Antimonium crudum 200
This patient has excessive irritability with the thickly coated tongue. The patient cannot bear the heat of the sun. The patient has a tendency to grow fat. It is a very good remedy for warts. The patient has eczema with gastric disease. The patient has pimples and pus-like lesions. The patient has thick hard, honey-colored scabs. There is a measles-like eruption. The patient has great itching when warm in bed. The patient has dry gangrene. There is great burning. All condition is worse in the evening, from heat, washing.
The patient is better from the open air, and rest.
Dosage
Daily one dose in the morning for seven days.
Berberis aquifolium 30C
It is a very good remedy for the skin. The patient has liver disease. It stimulates all glands and improves nutrition. It is a very good remedy that clears the complexion. The patient has acne and has dry rough scaly skin. The patient has eruptions on the scalp extending to the face neck. The patient has eczema. The patient has great itching with the glandular disease.
Dosage
3 pills, 2 times a day, till improvement.
Natrum muriaticum 200C
The patient has a habit of excessive intake of salt. The patient has an excessive weakness. The patient has oily skin, which is shiny as if greased. The patient has an earthy complexion. The patient has dry eruptions especially on the margin of the hairy scalp and bends of joints. The patient has crusty eruptions behind the ears. A good remedy for warts on palms. The patient has itching after exercise.
Dosage
3 Pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
Belladonna 200C
The patient has a red face, hot swollen, and shiny. He has dry and hot skin. Skin is sensitive. The patient has pus lesions on the face. It is a good remedy for acne rosacea.
Dosage
3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.