Acne and Homeopathic Treatment

Acne is a very common skin condition among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. ACNE VULGARIS is the medical term for common acne. Acne vulgaris is a disorder of pilosebaceous complex which predominantly affects the peripubertal population and clinically manifests as Comedones (open/closed), Papules, Nodules, Pustules and Cysts and heals with scars.

COMMONLY AFFECTING SITES– Lesions of acne vulgaris are seen mainly on the face (forehead, cheeks, and chin), shoulders, upper chest and back.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ACNE:-

• PREVALENCE- This is an extremely common disorder, it is believed that almost all adolescents are affected by mild acne.
• AGE:– Age of onset is 12-14 years, being earlier in female.
• GENDER:– It affects both sexes equally but nodulocystic acne is almost 10 times more frequent in males.

PATHOGENESIS OF ACNE:-

1. Human skin contains pores. Each pore of the skin is the opening to a follicle. These follicles are made up of a hair and an oil secreting gland known as SEBACEOUS GLAND which secrete SEBUM. Sebum is a oil that carries dead cells, which travels up the hair, comes out of the pore, and reach to the skin. The function of sebum is to keep the skin soft and lubricated. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked by oil and dead skin cells under the skin thus occluding the pathways.
2. Another reason is the excessive sebum production by the sebaceous gland that get accumulates. Sebaceous gland activity is controlled by androgens. Androgen level rises when adolescents begin. Thus rising level of androgen means more sebum production thus more growth of acne.
3. Next important reason for the growth of acne is bacterial infection. Common acne causing bacteria are Propionibacterium, Malassezia furfur, Staph epidermidis. These organisms build up in the pores thus causing inflammatory reactions and blocking the pathway.

FACTORS MODIFYING ACNE:-

• Genetic factor
• Certain medication that contain androgen and lithium.
• Emotional stress
• Hormonal changes
• Greasy cosmetics
• Certain food items like high glycemic diet, packed food, chips etc.
• Menstrual cycle

TYPES OF ACNE

Eruptions of acne are polymorphic. They vary in size, color, appearance and level of pain. On the basis of type of lesion, acne can be classified as following.

1. COMEDONES:- These are basic acne lesion in which hair follicle has clogged with oil and dead skin cells. These are of two types
   • Open Comedones (Black heads):- These open at the surface of the skin. They are filled with excess oil and dead skin cells. The black hue is due to the irregular reflection of light coming from clogged hair follicles.
   • Closed Comedones (white heads):- These stay closed to the surface of the skin. This occur when oil and skin cells prevent a clogged hair follicle from opening.
2. PAPULES– These are small red or pink bumps on the skin. These pimples are sensitive to touch and picking and squeezing can make the inflammation worse and may lead to scarring.
3. PUSTULES– These are inflamed pimple and resembles whitehead with a red ring around the bump. Bump is filled with white or yellow pus. Avoid picking or squeezing them as they can cause scars or dark spots.
4. NODULES:- These are large, inflamed bumps that feel firm to touch. They develop deep within the skin and are often painful.
5. CYSTS:- These are large, pus filled lesions looks similar to  boils. These are also painful.

OTHER VARIANTS OF ACNE VULGARIS:-

1. Acne Conglobata:- this is a severe form of acne, characterized by intercommunicating abscesses, cysts, and sinuses filled with serous fluid or pus. Lesions are very extensive and severe and takes much time to heal and also leaves behind the scar if got scratched or disturbed.
2. Occupational Acne:- this is caused by exposure to industrial chemicals like tar, chlorinated hydrocarbons and cutting oils. Lesions are predominantly Comedones. Usually affecting middle aged males. Lesions are seen on the forearms, legs and retroauricular region.
3. Cosmetic Acne:-  this type is frequently seen in females using oil based cosmetics. Lesions usually Comedones present on the chin.
4. Drug-induced Acne:– certain drugs like steroids, androgens, anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives, antitubercular drugs, iodides, bromides, anticonvulsants etc can cause acne. Lesion are mainly present on back and face and are usually monomorphic consisting of papules and sometimes pustules.

BIOLOGICAL CONFLICT OR THOUGHT PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH ACNE

With the onset of puberty teenagers experience many changes in their body. These changes can be physiological or psychological. One such change is appearance of ACNE on face and other body parts.

One might have noticed that on waking up in the morning, a small pimple popped up on the face which was all cleared up last night. Isn’t it strange??

Apart from increased sebum production, hormonal changes etc, there is some psychological factor that plays a vital role in the appearance of acne.

One of the major conflicts associated with this is “ATTACK CONFLICT”. This attack can be in form of physical attack or verbal attack. Physical attack can be from human or animal or it can be any injury or even from surgical instruments like razors, injections etc.

Verbal attack is usually seen when a person is attacked by some abusive remarks by someone or being yelled at, scolded, threatened with sharp and aggressive words or being insulted or defamed. This can easily be seen in case of children with their parents or with the teachers. In such situation, children didn’t get a chance to express themselves and as a result thing get suppressed which later on comes out from the body in other form like acne.

Another conflict associated with this is” FEELING OF SOILED OR DIRTY” after touching anything of that sort or seeing any dirty thing or hearing any dirty claims or accusations. When one feel like their skin is not clean that means having smelly sweat, stinky feet, any offensive discharge, incontinence of urine or feeling soiled when coming in contact with something considered as repellent such as dirt, feces, urine, vomit, saliva, menstrual blood, sweat or semen or through physical contact with a person who is regarded as ‘repulsive’ for instance , a drunk person, a smelly person, or a person who has a contagious disease.

In such conditions, negative thoughts emerged in the mind which are unable to flushed off. And as a result, these thoughts come out in form of acne on the body parts.

As a homeopath one should form a totality of symptom before the prescription. So next time when looking for a case of acne, one should enquire about mental symptoms to rule out these conflicts.

GENERAL MEASURES TO AVOID AND MANAGE THE ACNE

1. Do not burst the pimples. This may cause pain and redness and also leaves marks.
2. Do not pop your pimple.
3. Maintain hygiene. Wash your face several times with water.
4. Do not touch your face unnecessarily.
5. Wash your hands frequently.
6. Keep your hair clean. Do not use any greasy hair products.
7. Try to avoid excessive sun exposure. Always cover your face while going in sun and use sunscreen.
8. Take healthy diet. Drink plenty of water.
9. Do not apply heavy cosmetics. Avoid oil based products. Remove makeup before sleep.
10. Do yoga and meditation to keep your mind relaxed.
11. And most important avoid stress and anxiety. These stimulate the increase production of cortisol and adrenaline which exacerbate acne.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR ACNE:-

As it is well known that homeopathy plays a vital role in the treatment of life style disorder, skin complaints etc. It not only removes the symptoms but it annihilates the disease from its core. Acne is one of the best examples of this. Acne is a multifactorial disease. Along with hormonal imbalance, emotional stress plays a major role in its development.  Acne not only cause cosmetic disfigurement but also affects the mental status of a person. Homeopathy offers a wide range of medicine which not only prevent the further progression of acne but also prevent the scar formation.  Medicine is prescribed on the basis of totality of symptom along with consideration of individual symptoms of patients like his diet, habits, addictions, mental generals, sleep, dream etc.

Some of the commonly drugs used for the treatment of acne are discussed below:-

• Arsenic Iodatum– Indicated for pustular or nodular acne. Acne is hard, shotty, indurated base with pustule at apex. Skin is dry, scaly, itchy.

• Asterias Rubens– One of the sycotic remedy. Indicated for acne occurring at teenage. Acne with black tipped puncta with small red base.

• Berberis Aquifolium:-  Indicated for pimples which are dry, rough and scaly. Mainly present on scalp extending to face and neck. One of the well known remedy that clears the complexion. It should be given in mother tincture for the better result.

• Calcarea Sulph- One of the Schussler’s Tissue remedy. Indicated for cystic acne. Unhealthy looking skin with greenish, yellowish or brownish discharge. Pimples and pustules on the face and under the hair.

• Eugenia Jambos:- Indicated for acne rosacea, acne simplex and indurata. Acne is very much painful.

• Hepar Sulph:- Indicated for pustular pimples which are extremely sensitive to touch, painful. Mainly present on forehead and spread by coalescing.

• Kali Bromatum:- Indicated for all kinds of acne  whether simplex, indurata , rosacea, which usually begins in the teenage  and continues in adulthood. Bluish red pustular eruption on face, chest, shoulders that leaves unsightly scars are present.

• Psorinum:-Indicated for pustular acne. Skin is very much oily as if bathed in oil with dirty look. Eruptions easily suppurate.

• Pulsatilla:- Mainly indicated for acne in young girls that is associated with the onset of puberty, menstrual period. The person is usually thirstless, with weeping tendency and likes consolation and open air.

• Silicea:- Indicated for hard cystic acne like boils mainly present on cheeks which are slow to heal and leave pitting scars. Skin is very much unhealthy and slow in healing. Person is extremely chilly who suffer from constipation and profuse sweating on palm and sole.

• Sulphur:- Indicated for all kind of acne, pustule, blackheads, whiteheads etc. Skin is very much unhealthy, dirty, and very much itchy. Scratching gives relief but it is painful.  

SOME IMPORTANT RUBRICS FOR ACNE:-

Few rubrics from Kent Repertory are mentioned here. They can be used along with the generals and mentals of patient to reach the simlimum.

1. [face] eruptions
2. [head] eruptions; pimples
3. [face] eruptions; pimples
4. [face] comedones
5. [nose] comedones
6. [skin] comedones
7. [face] discoloration; bluish; spots; following eruptions
8. [face] shiny; spots after eruptions
9. [extremities] eruptions; forearm; pimples
10. [extremities] eruptions; upperarm ; pustules

BIBLIOGRAPHY:-

1. Illustrated synopsis of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases , 6^th edition, Neena Khanna
2. www.webmed.com
3. German New Medicine, Acne
4. Boericke’s New Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory, William Boericke.
5. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica- J H Clarke
6. Repertory Of The Homoeopathic Materia Medica, James Tyler Kent

P.S.: Do share your feedback about the above content in the comment section. Also mention any particular topic you would like to know about.

Note: We at The Homeopath take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found at Disclaimer page of our website.