 Acne, also called acne vulgaris, is a skin condition characterized by
whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples or "zits."
Approximately 40 million to 50 million Americans have acne. Acne can occur at
any age, but most people who have acne are teenagers and young adults. Acne can
appear on the skin as any of the following:
-
Blackheads
-
Crusting of skin eruptions
-
Cysts
-
Inflammation around the skin
eruptions
-
Pustules
-
Redness around the skin
eruptions
-
Scarring of the skin
-
Whiteheads
Factors that contribute
to acne include heredity, oily skin, hormonal imbalance, monthly menstrual
cycles, and candidiasis. Other possible contributing factors are allergies,
stress, and the use of certain drugs such as steroids, lithium, oral
contraceptives, and some anti-epileptic drugs. Nutritional deficiencies and/or
diets high in saturated fats, hydrogenated fats, and animal products can also
be involved.
The
common treatments for acne include:
-
Oral antibiotics are the
standard of care in managing moderate to severe acne, and acne that
resists topical treatment therapy, and acne that covers large body surface
areas. Side effects include irritation of the digestive system, yeast
infections, sensitivity to light, and they may also decrease the
effectiveness of birth control pills.
-
Combination therapy (the use
of two or more therapies) that uses oral antibiotics and topical
medication (often retinoids) may help manage acne.
-
Birth control pills that
contain estrogen or medication that decreases the effects of male hormones
may help certain women.
-
Corticosteroids reduce
inflammation & decrease the activity of the immune system. Side
effects include severe allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, fainting,
tightness in the throat, swelling of face & eyes), serious infections
in the form of high fever or painful urination, bleeding in the digestive
system, high blood pressure, slow wound healing, difficulty sleeping, and
more.
In traditional Chinese medicine, TCM views acne as an external manifestation
resulting from an internal imbalance. Excess heat and toxin are the primary
components that produce this acne causing imbalance. The general approach
chosen for therapy is to reduce internal heat by cooling the blood, decreasing
toxin, and removing stasis. The medications are also meant to alleviate
dampness and improve intestinal function where toxins can accumulate. The
underlying factor causing the acne such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or the
menstrual cycle, will also be treated accordingly so that the acne doesn't come
back in the future. The goal of TCM is to restore balance to the body and to
treat the root cause of an illness, thereby "curing" the disease.
This approach gives TCM a special advantage over certain western medicine
therapies that focus on merely providing symptomatic relief. Traditional
Chinese medicine has been proven safe & effective without adverse side
effects. If you would like to pursue this form of treatment or information,
please contact us.
 |
Acne
