Acne, being a chronic disease under hormonal control, requires a certain amount of commitment and self discipline for the optimum management of this most common skin disease. There are treatments galore for pimples, starting from Grandma’s cures to hundreds of home remedies. Millions of dollars are spent every year on OTC acne medications and advertised products, most of which have unproven value in the treatment of acne. Being aware of the proper treatment options will prove helpful to acne patients.
Acne Home Remedies and OTC Acne Products: Are they Effective?
It is not advisable to rely on OTC acne products or acne home remedies if one is suffering from inflammatory acne (red, painful eruptions). Any delay in proper treatment of inflammatory acne could lead to permanent scarring. Some of these home remedies and OTC products may be effective, but each type of acne has to be treated based on its own merits. Hence it is better to plan your treatment with the help of your dermatologist right from the beginning of the disease activity.
Acne Treatment Do’s and Don’ts
The major concern of any teen suffering from acne is the resultant scarring and the unsightly blemishes it could cause. Early and prompt treatment of inflammatory acne is the single most important step to be taken if one has to avoid permanent acne scars. Constant picking at the pimples is an often ignored cause of scarring and pigmentation in acne. It is important to avoid manipulating the acne bumps at all times to prevent the self inflicted skin damage. Here are some more precautions to be observed by the acne patients:
- Oral retinoids, the mainstay in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne, are absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. If you are a female of childbearing age, you should practice double contraception (birth control pills and a barrier method, for example) throughout the period of treatment and at least two months after the cessation of therapy with oral retinoids.
- If you have an acne prone facial skin, avoid using oil-based makeup and creams on the face.
- Do not use topical steroids on the face unless under the supervision of a dermatologist; that too for specific indications only.
- Most acne treatments, in addition to their medicinal properties, have a peeling effect on the skin. In those with sensitive skin, the skin may turn red and irritated in the initial stages or during the therapy. If the dryness and irritation is severe, discontinue the treatment for a few days, apply non-comedogenic moisturizers, and then restart the treatment when the skin returns to normal.
Pimples: What is the Role of Food?
Though controversy still exists regarding the role of diet in acne, most acne patients do experience flare ups with certain food items. Following is some information about the impact of diet on acne:
- Low fat, low calorie food, avoidance of milk and milk products, high iodine-containing food items, chocolates, fizzy drinks and fast foods are best avoided by acne sufferers. Excess alcohol and caffeine intake is also discouraged in acne.
- Adebomavo CA and his colleagues studied 4273 boys and found a positive association between intake of skim milk and acne. The authors suggest that skim milk contains hormonal constituents, or factors that influence endogenous hormones, in sufficient quantities to have biological effects including acne eruptions in consumers. It has also been suggested that high iodine content in the milk may be a culprit.
- Increase your intake of water and eat more vegetables and fruits.
- Vitamin B complex may induce fresh acne eruptions in some individuals; avoid taking vitamins with B complex, if you notice your acne flares up after taking the vitamin.
- Vitamin A, E and zinc have been found to reduce fresh eruptions and recurrence rates in acne. High doses of Vitamin B5 have been reported to be useful in some acne sufferers, but no confirmatory clinical trials have been done so far to provide credence to this claim.
Adolescents and teens suffering from acne should be aware of how acne develops and have an elementary knowledge of the basic acne treatment principles. They will also do well to dispel themselves of any acne myths they maybe harboring.
Reference:
- Adebomavo CA et al. Milk consumption and acne in teenaged boysJ Am Acad Dermatol 2008;58:787-93.
- Simpson NB & Cunliffe WJ. Disorders of the Sebaceous Glands in Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology. 2004; 7: 43.1-43.75.
Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purposes only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, Dr.Hanish Babu, MD or Suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The images provided are for illustration purpose only.
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