Acne Vulgaris meaning
The word acne is derived from the Greek word akme, which means point or spot. Acne Vulgaris is a skin disorder identified by scaly red skin, blackheads, whiteheads, pinheads, pimples, blemishes, black spots, and scars. Acne is more common during puberty when sebaceous glands are abundant. Acne is often seen on the face, chest, shoulder, neck, and back. Acne is more common in the Western world among adolescents and young adults; about 80% are experiencing acne vulgaris. Generally, acne tends to disappear with time, and only a few per cent have it after the ’30s. As per a recent study by Brown University, USA, it has been stated that about 17 million Americans have acne at a particular period.
What are the causes of acne?
- Adolescents experience acne due to more production of testosterone hormone. This hormone makes the oil glands bigger under the skin, producing more oils.
- Skin with more oil concentration means more appearance of acne.
- Pregnancy
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Menopause
- Genetics
- Stress and anxiety increase the gravity of acne
- Propionibacterium acnes, a form of anaerobic bacteria, causes acne.
- A glycemic diet is more prone to acne.
- Medications, i.e. steroids, anticonvulsants, birth control pills
- Environmental conditions such as humidity and excessive facing of sunlight.
What are the symptoms of acne?
There are many signs and symptoms associated with acne:
- Presence of more oil glands on the skin
- Presence of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, scars, etc.
- Pus filled with swollen and red facial parts
- Solid and raised bump nodules
Types of acne vulgaris
- Whiteheads: Whiteheads are tiny and occur below the skin.
- Nobules: Nobules are comparatively more significant, painful and visible from the skin surface.
- Papules are small and can be seen from the skin surface.
- Blackheads: One can see blackheads from the skin; the size is slightly bigger.
- Pustules: Puss-related acne can be seen from the skin surface.
- Cyst: Cyst is painful pimples full of pus and can cause scars easily.
How is acne treated?
The following allopathic medicines can be used for the treatment of acne.
- Benzoyl peroxide: works against Propionibacterium acnes and is an effective anti-acne medicine. It reduces the effectiveness of oil glands, producing lesser amounts of oil. It helps to peel out the dead skin cells and clear pores.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotic shows antimicrobial properties. Commonly used antibiotics are erythromycin, clindamycin, metronidazole, and tetracyclines.
- Salicylic acid: It acts upon bacteria and helps to open the clogged pores by shedding dead cells. Salicylic helps to break down the blackheads and whiteheads, thus reducing their severity.
- Resorcinol: It is a phenolic product, effective in treating whiteheads and blackheads
- Hormones and Topical retinoids
- Sulfur: Sulphur oxidised into sulfurous acid, which is anti-bacterial.
Unani medicine for acne treatment (Busoor-e-Labaniya)
Unani medicine helps remove acne, pimples, and scars. Unani medicine is beneficial in the treatment and management of acne vulgaris. Few of the Unani prescriptions are being discussed here.
- Mix 4 grams of fumaria Indica, Chirata, Taphrosia, Globe flower, and Jujube fruit (5 in number). Now, boil these Unani medicines in about 200 ml. of water. Strain it and add sugar for sweetening purposes. The patient should take it twice daily, i.e., in the morning and before bed.
- Take a sufficient quantity of cuttlefish bone. Now, could you rub it on the stone by using water? After preparing the paste, use it over the pimples and acne. Continue it for one week to have a good result.
- Take six grams each of the dried rind of an orange, eggshell, tragacanth gum, barley, gram, lentil, starch, almond kernel, and sweet melon seeds. Make a fine powder of all the ingredients. Take the necessary amount of powder and make a paste with water. Apply it before bed and wash it with lukewarm water in the morning. This procedure helps in removing acne and pimples.
- Mix gyrated apple (10 gm) and honey (1 tsp). Now make a paste of it and apply it on the face for over 15 minutes, then wash it with clean water.
- Mix oatmeal (2 tsp), honey (1 tsp), and water. Now, paste these ingredients, apply the same on the face and leave it for 10 minutes. Could you wash it with lukewarm water for better results?
- almond powder and castor oil mix massage helps control acne. The massage paste should be washed after 10-15 minutes.
How do you prevent acne naturally?
There are many prevention and precaution tips for acne. These tips should be followed to reduce the face’s severity, swelling, and redness.
- One shouldn’t touch the affected parts again and again.
- Wash your hands regularly and keep them clean.
- Before touching the face, it is suggested that one should wash one’s hands.
- Wear light and loose cloth.
- Tight clothes such as caps and scarves should be avoided.
- Makeup should be avoided. If you continue, use only oil-free ones that don’t clog up the pores.
- Hair touching the acne should be avoided as it may accumulate sebum residue.
- Avoid excessive sunlight as it can produce more oil glands.
- A balanced and complete diet should be preferred with more weightage upon fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Drink more and more water (10-12 glasses) as it will help remove toxins from the body.
- Regular exercise and Yoga are a must.
- Reduces drinking beverages like coffee, tea, alcohol, and smoking.
- Use sunscreen when you move outside.