Acne Vulgaris meaning
The word acne is derived from the Greek word akme, which means point or spot. Acne Vulgaris is a skin disorder, which is 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, also present on the chest, shoulder, neck, and back. The occurrence of acne is more common in the western world among adolescents and young adults were about 80% of them are experiencing acne vulgaris. Generally, acne tends to disappear with the passage of time and only a few percentages are having it after the ’30s. As per a recent study by Brown University, USA; it has been stated that about 17 million Americans are having acne at a particular period of time.
What are the causes of acne?
- Adolescence experiences acne due to more production of testosterone hormone. This hormone makes the oil glands bigger under the skin, resulting in more production of 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 number of 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 small in size, occur below the skin.
- Nobules: Nobules are comparatively bigger in size, painful and visible from the skin surface.
- Papules: small in size and can be seen from the skin surface.
- Blackheads: One can see blackheads from the skin; the size is a little bit bigger.
- Pustules: It is pus related acne that can be seen from the skin surface.
- Cyst: Cyst is painful pimples and full of pus, and can cause scars easily.
How acne is treated?
The following allopathic medicines can be used for the treatment of acne.
- Benzoyl peroxide: works against Propionibacterium acnes and effective anti-acne medicine. It reduces the effectiveness of oil glands thereby produces lesser amounts of oil. It helps to peel out the dead skin cells as well as 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 reduces their severity.
- Resorcinol: It is a phenolic product, effective in treating whiteheads and blackheads
- Hormones and Topical retinoids
- Sulfur: Sulphur oxidized into sulfurous acid, which is anti-bacterial in nature.
Unani medicine for acne treatment (Busoor-e-Labaniya)
Unani medicine is helpful to 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.
- Make a mixture of 4 grams each of fumaria Indica, Chirata, Taphrosia, Globe flower, and Jujube fruit (5 in numbers). Now, boil these Unani medicines in about 200 ml. of water. Strain it and add sugar for sweetening purposes. It is suggested the patient should take it twice a day i.e. in the morning and before going to bed.
- Take the sufficient quantity of cuttle fishbone. Now, rub it on 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 dried rind of an orange, eggshell, tragacanth gum, barley, gram, lentil, starch, the kernel of almond, and kernel of 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 going to bed and wash it with lukewarm water in the morning. This procedure helps in removing acne and pimples.
- Take a mix of gyrated apple (10 gm) and honey (1 tsp). Now make a paste of it and apply on the face for over 15 minutes, followed by washing it with clean water.
- Make a mix of oatmeal (2 tsp), honey (1 tsp), and water. Now a make a paste of these ingredients and apply the same on the face and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water for better results.
- The massage of the mix of almond powder and castor oil helps to control acne. The massage paste should be washed after 10-15 minutes.
How to prevent acne naturally?
There are many prevention and precautions tips for acne. These tips should be followed to reduce the severity, swollenness, and redness of the face.
- 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 that one should wash one’s hand.
- Wear light and loose cloth.
- Tight clothes such as caps and scarves should be avoided.
- Makeup should be avoided. If continue, use only those which are oil-free 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 quantity of water (10-12 glasses) as it will help to remove toxin from the body.
- Regular exercise and Yoga are a must.
- Reduces the drinking of beverages like coffee, teas, alcohol, and smoking.
- Use sunscreen when you move outside.
