ACNE

Acne is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands (oil secreting glands in our skin) and the hair follicles.

Causes:

•          Poor eating habits.

•          Poor hygiene.

•          Hormonal imbalance – during puberty.

•          Stress.

•          Drugs like corticosteroids.

•          Heredity.

•          Bacterial infection.

Sign and symptoms:

•          Pain in acne.

•          Itching.

•          Pus or oily discharge.

•          White heads / black head formation.

•          Scarring.

Dietary management:

Avoid:

•          Avoid fats and oily food.

•          Avoid chocolate, ice-cream, butter, cakes, white bread, sweets and fried food.

•          Limit intake of non-vegetarian food.

•          Do not break your pimples will lead to secondary infections.

•          Do not use scented soaps and chemicals on your face.

Do:

•          Wash your face frequently, at least 5 times a day, taking care that it does not become too dry.

•          Use non-greasy make-up or if possible do not apply cosmetics.

•          Use natural cleansers than chemical preparations:

–          Wash face with gram flour (channa) and little turmeric in it.

–          Massage skin with fresh cucumber, it gives cooling effect on skin.

–          You can massage your face with fresh fruits also.

•          You can take facial steam to reduce inflammation and infection for not more then 15 minutes and once fortnight.

•          Practice yoga – will help make your circulation better.

Consume:

•          Drink plenty of water.

•          Drink plenty of fruit juice, coconut water.

•          Eat lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables.

•          Increase intake of fiber in your diet - Whole grains, bran, oat, green leafy vegetables, raw vegetables, salads, dried fruits and fresh fruits.

•          Eat whole grains rather then refined flour.

•          Possibly eat boiled or lightly cooked food, not highly seasoned food.

•          Increase intake of zinc in diet:

–          Shellfish, beef and other red meats, eggs and seafood, beef, pork, chicken (dark meat), turkey (dark meat), milk and milk products, nuts, sea plants especially Japanese sea plants..

•          Consume diet rich in Vitamin A:

–          Liver oils of fish, egg, milk and milk products, meat, fish, kidney and liver.

–          Yellow orange colored fruits and vegetables; and Green leafy vegetables are good source of - carotene.

•          Consume food rich in Vitamin C:

–          Milk and milk products, citrus fruits, green vegetables.

–          Fruits and vegetables when fresh have maximum of vitamin C.

•          Increase intake of Vitamin E:

–          Wheat germ, whole grain, corns, cereals, pulses, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, olives.

–          Oilseeds and vegetable oils. You can take vitamin E supplements of 400 IU twice a day.

•          Replace other oils by sunflower oil for cooking as it is the richest source of vitamin E.

•          Add little turmeric to your food; it is beneficial for your skin.

Consult physician:

•          If your acne does not respond in 2-3 months following the advice listed above see your physician.

•          Consult your physician if your acne is infected and there is pus like discharge.

•          Consult your physician immediately if you are not sure if it is acne or any other skin eruption.