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cutaneous system
Acne vulgaris
Integrative Therapies

Home Care

Acne is a common inflammation of the hair follicles and oil-producing glands of the skin. Pimples and black heads are usually found on the face, neck, and upper body. Acne is caused by the increase in hormones during the teenage years or before a woman's period and by bacterial infections of the skin.

The skin eliminates wastes from the body through sweat pores. For that reason, constipation or irregular bowel movements can aggravate the problem and need to be taken care of while dealing with acne. If you need more information on constipation, you can learn more by referring to that topic.

THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED FOR ACNE AND CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:

1. Zinc Sulfate – 50 milligrams, 2 times per day. If Zinc Picolinate is used, 50 milligrams is taken only once a day.

2. Vitamin A – 100,000 Units per day for a maximum of 2 months. Vitamin A may have a toxic effect on the liver and needs to be used under a physician's supervision. Pregnant women (or women who may become pregnant) should not take more than 10,000 Units per day.

3. Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) – topical gel, containing 4% niacinamide, applied twice per day.

4. Vitamin B6 – 100 milligrams per day, especially if acne is associated with the menstrual period.

5. Vitamin C – 1,000 milligrams, 4 times a day. The dosage is reduced if diarrhea occurs.

6. Vitamin E – 600 Units per day.

7. Pantothenic Acid - 2.5 grams, four times per day (that is, 10 grams per day), orally. In research, this has been used together with a topical cream containing 20% pantothenic acid which was applied four to six times per day.

8. Deodorized garlic, such as Kyolic – 10 to 16 capsules per day, depending on the severity of the acne and until symptoms improve. Reduce this dosage gradually, over a 3-week period, to 4 capsules per day.

8. Evening Primrose oil or Linseed oil – 2 capsules per day.

Most of these supplements can be taken in a multivitamin tablet and extra Vitamin A and Zinc.


THE PROPER DIET FOR ACNE WILL INCLUDE:

1. Increasing the fruits and vegetables in the diet. Eat at least 2 pieces of fruit and 1 cup of vegetables daily.

2. Eliminate sugar and sugar containing foods because sugar increases the fats that are secreted by the sebaceous glands. These are the glands that are infected when a person has acne.

3. Limit junk foods, fatty foods, fried foods, and milk products. All these foods tend to aggravate this condition.


HERBS USED FOR ACNE:

• A tea can be made from equal parts of Oregon Grape Root, Dandelion Root, and Burdock Root. Brew 1 teaspoon of this mixture per cup of boiling water. Simmer 5 minutes, then steep for 15 minutes. Up to 6 cups per day for 12 days are taken, or less if nausea or an upset stomach occurs.

• A tea of Vitex has often been considered useful, epsecially when premenstrual symptoms and hormonal imbalances are involved.


PHYSICAL THERAPY MEASURES INCLUDE:

• Exposing the skin to sunshine and fresh air or to the light of a tanning lamp, but not long enough to burn the skin. Remember that overexposure to tanning lights may increase the risk of skin cancer.


HOMEOPATHY:

• Silica 6C and Hepar sulph 6C: Each day, 3 pellets of Silica in the early morning and afternoon and 3 pellets of Hepar sulph at noon time and in the evening. The pellets are dissolved under the tongue.

Note: A wide range of homeopathic medicines can be helpful for individuals with acne. Consultation with a health care professional trained in homeopathic prescribing will usually be the best way to select the correct medicine.

Clinic


Footnotes

Amann W. Improvement of acne vulgaris with Agnus castus (Agnolyt ™). Ther Gegenw. 1967;106:124-126. [Articlein German].

Amann W. Acne vulgaris and agnus castus (Agnolyt ™). Z  Allgemeinmed 1975;51:1645-1658. [Article in German].

Anderson PC. Foods as the cause of acne. Am Family Phys 1971;3:102-103.

BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.

Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Austral 1990;53:455-458.

Fulton  JE Jr, Plewig G, Kligman AM. Effect of chocolate on acne vulgaris. JAMA 1969;210:2071-2074.

Gaby A. Commentary. Nutr Healing Feb 1997;1,10,11.

Hillstrom L et al. Comparison of oral treatment with zinc sulfate and placebo in acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol 1977;97:679-684.

Kligman AM et al. Oral vitamin A in acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol 1981;20:278-285.

Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Med Hypoth 1995;44:490-492.

Michaelsson G et al. A double blind study of the effect of zinc and oxytetracycline in acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol 1977;97:561-566.

Shality AR, Smith JR, Parish LC, et al. Topical nicotinamide compared with clindamycin gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Internat J Dermatol 1995;34:434-437.

Snider B, Dietman DF. Pyridoxine therapy for premenstrual acne flare. Arch Dermatol 1974;110:130-131.