Acne

                                                                         

                                                         ACNE

ACNE

             Acne = is a skin condition: a disease of the oil-secreting glands of the skin that often affects adolescents, producing eruptions on the face, neck, and shoulders that can leave pitted scars. The technical name of acne is acne vulgaris.

Acne is a common inflammatory disease which affect the skin  of the face and often the neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back. It appears in the early teens and often continues into the twenties. Acne has been described as the “scourge of adolescence.” About 80% of teen-agers have some acne, even if only “pimples. ” About one tee-ager in five is troubled with acne in its more severe form which scars.

       Acne occurs at a time of life when the teen-ager is specially concerned over his appearance. The blemished skin causes the young person to be sensitive and embarrassed . treatment for acne, then should be prompt so as to avoid  if possible the scarring that occurs in neglected cases.

          There are two phases to treatment of acne. The patient himself should build up his general health so as to become more resistant to all kind of illness, and he must avoid whatever may aggravate the skin condition.

               The second part of the treatment is the doctor’s part. He must evaluate each case as to whether it is a mild form of acne or a severe type. He must decide whether to use the newer medicines. He  must advice the patient and encourage him to persist in the program of treatment, the powerful new medicine must be carefully supervised by the doctor. But they have made the treatment of severe acne much more successful.

WHAT TO DO

1.                                                   Cleanse the skin of the face and upper trunk twice daily, using warm water and a simple, no irritating soap. Avoid medicated soaps and  excessive washing. 2.    Abstain from using cosmetics during the entire period of treatment except for simple foundation lotion. 3.                      Avoid mechanical pressure on the skin, such as resting chin in hands and wearing straps over the shoulder. 4.    Obtain adequate rest; sleep at least eight hours each night. 5.                                Use a well-balanced, wholesome diet. Avoid between meals snacks including sweetened drinks. Don’t over eat. Avoid chocolates and cola drinks. 6.    Use no medicine or drug store remedies  except as a doctor directs. 7.    Try  to avoid anxiety and undue competition. 8.                         Keep in close touch with the doctor, particularly if he prescribes stronger medicines. 9.    Faithfully follow the treatment the doctor prescribes. NUTRITION= Proper nutrition is extremely important. 1.                                 Drink six glasses of pure water daily. 2.     Mix 2 oz. Each of beet juice, celery juice, and tomato juice.Take 2-3 times a day. As a general blood purifier, take several times a week. 3.     Eat a good balanced diet 4.     Increase raw vegetables intake. The more you eat, the faster the skin will clear and heal.

SPECIAL NUTRIENTS= Certain dietary deficiencies have been link to acne.

1.                       Niacinamide is important in repairing the skin, because it increases the supply  of fresh blood to the surface. 2.                   Vitamin C, 500-1,000 mg. 3 times daily. Also taking 200-1,000 mg bioflavonoids in divided daily doses speed healing and retard spreading. 3.                       Vitamin E., 200-400 IU daily, to protect vitamin A from destruction in the  body. 4.                  Vitamin A., best taken in the form of carotenes: carrot juice and green and yellow leafy vegetables.

         HERBAL FORMULAS- Internal

5.                  Take one B complex  tablet daily , plus up to 300 mg each of B6, niacin and pantothenic acid in divided doses daily for no longer than a month. B6 ,taken in a small doses throughout the month.   Here are several which are recommended by leading herbalists: 1.                 Make a tea of 1 part burdock, 1 part dandelion, 1 part sassafras, 1 part sarsaparilla, ½ part licorice. Simer 1 oz. Herbs in 1 pint water for 30 minutes. Take a cup 3 times daily. 2.     Mix the following in equal parts:  elecampane root, elder leaves and flowers, witch grass root, juniper berries , ground ivy. Steep 1 tsp.  ½ cup boiling-hot water. Take ½-1 cup daily, unsweetened in mouthful doses, over an extended period of time. HERBAL FORMULAS – External 1.                   Apply golden seal and myrrh solution to the affected areas. 2.     Chaparral and comfrey tea are good facial rinses. 3.     Apply tea tree oil on sores 3 times daily. This is known to be very healing to acne. 4.                  Apply a poultice of ground chaparral, dandelion or yellow dock root, mix with hot water and cooled, to the affected areas and allow to remain for several hours. Then rinse off with tepid water. 5.                 Steam: Put 1 part eucalyptus leaves and 2 parts elder flowers in 1 pint of boiled water in a bowl. Cover the head with a cloth and lean over the bowl of aromatic steam. If you wish to eliminate acne  on you follow the good nutrition to avoid severe acne in the future. THE END References: Modern Medical Guide by: Harold Shyrock, M.D.                   NRI by: Edgar E.Archbold,M.D. et.al pp 353-356