Acne

DESCRIPTION

A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin eruptions on the face, chest, back and shoulders, acne is the most common of all skin problems. Acne vulgaris, the least severe form, is a superficial disease that affects the skin’s oil-secreting glands and hair follicles and manifests as blackheads, whiteheads and redness.

Acne conglobata, a more severe form, is characterized by the formation of pustules and cysts with the potential for subsequent scarring. Both forms are more common among males than females with onset typically at or shortly after puberty.

 FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Blackheads: dilated skin follicles with central dark, horny plugs, pinhead size
• Whiteheads: red, swollen follicles with or without white pustules
• Pustules: tender nodules of pus deep in the skin that discharge to the surface
• Cysts: deep firm nodules that fail to discharge contents to the surface
• Inflammation: redness and tenderness around eruptions

CAUSES

• Hormonal shifts during puberty:
• acne originates in the skin’s pores, each of which contains a hair follicle and sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are connected to the skin by the follicular canal through which the hair shaft passes. During puberty, increases in levels of testosterone cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum.
• in addition, testosterone stimulates the cells lining the follicular canal to produce keratin, a fibrous protein that is the main component of the skin’s outermost layer.
• overproduction of either keratin or sebum can result in blocked pores.
• if the blockage is incomplete, allowing the sebum to reach the surface, a blackhead will form. If the blockage is complete, bacteria normally present in the canal overgrow, releasing enzymes that break down sebum and promote inflammation.
• if the bacterial overgrowth and resulting inflammation are severe, the wall of the hair canal  ruptures, damaging surrounding tissue. If this happens at the skin’s surface, the result is superficial redness and pimples. If the rupture occurs deep within the skin, a cyst may form, leading to more significant damage and possible scar formation.
• although excessive secretion of male hormones is typically thought to be the cause of acne, studies show a poor correlation between blood levels of testosterone and the severity of acne. What is probably more important is the level of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts the normal form of testosterone to a more potent form called dihydrotestosterone, and is found in higher levels in the skin of acne patients.
• Poor intestinal health: increased blood levels of toxins absorbed from the intestines are frequently found in patients with severe acne.
• Agents producing acne-like lesions:
• drugs: corticosteroids, halogens, isonicotinic acid, diphenylhydantoin, lithium carbonate, oral contraceptives, progesterone, drugs containing bromides or iodides
• industrial pollutants: machine oils, coal tar derivatives, chlorinated hydrocarbons
• some cosmetics, pomades
• overwashing, repetitive rubbing.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Puberty
• Treatment with long-term, broad-spectrum antibiotics can result in intestinal overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, which can damage the intestinal wall leading to increased absorption of toxins into the bloodstream.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

•  Avoid exposure to agents noted above which can produce acne-like lesions.
• Avoid long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
• Wash the pillowcase regularly in “chemical-free” detergents (no added colors or fragrances).
• Wash areas with acne lesions twice daily to remove excess sebum and oil.
• Follow the dietary recommendations provided below.

Expected outcomes

Significant improvement should be seen within 4–6 weeks.

TREATMENT

 Diet

• Consume a diet high in protein: a highprotein diet (44% protein, 35% carbohydrate, 21% fat) decreases 5-alpha reductase activity. A high carbohydrate diet (10% protein, 70% carbohydrate, 20% fat) has the opposite effect.
• Eliminate all refined and/or concentrated simple sugars from the diet: the skin cells of acne patients have been found to be insulin insensitive and to utilize sugar so poorly that one researcher has referred to acne as “skin diabetes”.
• Limit intake of high-fat foods: also eliminate foods containing trans fatty acids (margarine, shortening, and other synthetically hydrogenated oils) or oxidized fatty acids (fried oils). Milk consumption should also be limited because of its high hormone content.
• Eliminate high-iodine foods: those who are iodine sensitive should eliminate foods high in iodine, including foods with a high salt content as most salt is iodized.

Nutritional supplements

• Chromium: improves glucose tolerance and enhances insulin sensitivity.
• Vitamin A: reduces sebum production and the buildup of keratin in the follicle:  dosage: no more than 5,000 IU q.d. for sexually active women of childbearing age; for all others, no more than 25,000 IU q.d.  caution: higher doses may be toxic. Early warning signs of impending toxicity: chapped lips and dry skin. Signs of vitamin A toxicity: headache followed by fatigue, emotional instability, and muscle and joint pain.
• women of childbearing age should use effective birth control during vitamin A treatment and for  at least 1 month after discontinuation.
• Zinc: involved in vitamin A function, wound healing, immune system activity, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration:
• zinc levels are lower in 13- and 14-year-old males than in any other age group.
• low zinc levels increase 5-alpha reductase conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
• certain forms of zinc have been found more effective. Specifically, zinc  gluconate and effervescent zinc sulfate have produced excellent results after 12 weeks of supplementation.
• Vitamin E: necessary for proper functioning of vitamin A and selenium.
• Selenium: a trace mineral integral to the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is important in preventing the inflammation of acne.
• Pyridoxine (B6): a deficiency of this B vitamin causes both increased uptake of and sensitivity to testosterone.
• Pantothenic acid (B5): important in fat metabolism; when given in a study of 100 Chinese patients with acne, it significantly decreased sebum secretion and acne lesions within 2 weeks.

 Topical medicines

• Tea tree oil and azelaic acid: both are natural skin antiseptics and have been shown to lower the bacteria level and inflammation of acne as effectively as benzoyl peroxide or Retin-A, without these drugs’ negative side effects of dry skin, redness and peeling:
• choose a gel, ointment or cream featuring either tea tree oil (5–15% preparations) or azelaic acid (20% preparations).

ICIM Medics Approach

If you feel that this article relates to you then please make an appointment for the Male Hormone Assessment if you are male http://icimmedics.com/medical-assessments/male-hormone-assessment/and the Female Hormone Assessment if you are female http://icimmedics.com/medical-assessments/female-hormone-assessment/

Where underlying digestive related problems appear to be contributing to your health complaint please make an appointment for the ICIM Blood Analysis followed by consultation with the Natural Medical Practitioner http://icimmedics.com/therapies/blood-analysis/

The results from the assessment can then be used by one of ICIM Medics Natural Medical Practitioners who will help you with your individualised treatment plan. This may include dietary, nutritional and/or botanical advice.

This article is not meant to be used for treatment but for information purposes only. If you feel that this approach is appropriate for you please contact ICIM Medics on 045 844 819 or www.icim.ie e-mail : info@icim.ie  Both appointments can be arranged for you.

Tags: Acne vulgaris, blackheads, Skin Eruptions, whiteheads