Acne and Homeopathy

Acne or acne vulgaris, is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil (called sebum) and dead skin cells. These debris cause an inflammation of the sebaceous glands that are found just beneath of the surface of the skin, especially that of the face, upper back and chest, mainly areas with a higher number of oil glands.

Most teenagers go through it. At puberty, glandular activity increases, the sebaceous glands enlarge and begin to secrete a greater amount of skin lubricant called sebum. If the glands canals become clogged, the sebum accumulates and the glands swell until they rupture. The sebum becomes irritating to the surrounding skin, and a pimple results. In spite of being prevalent mostly among teenagers, it can affect people at any age.

Now, a skin ailment often is a sign that the body’s defence mechanism is working. Most of the time I hear mums saying “I took him to a dermatologist and she suggested to put an acidic lotion (handmade) and then some light cortisone lotion/cream to treat it smoothly. Otherwise, she said he has to take antibiotics specific for these cases (for at least 6 weeks) … Another friend/dermatologist too, said that it is so widespread that he has to take antibiotics immediately…”

Consider the side effects of standard antibiotics treatments

This is without a shadow of a doubt an overreaction. The standard treatment for acne from dermatologists is oral antibiotics. Usually, the 1st to be prescribed is tetracycline, if this doesn’t work it is followed by clindamycin. Now if this is the therapy you are considering especially in puberty, consider the side effects. Symptoms like stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea are more common with tetracycline. It is also well known, that antibiotic can stains permanently the teeth of unborn children and even interfere with enamel formation, if pregnant mothers use antibiotic, so obviously their action is more than skin deep.

Clindamycin can cause ulcerative colitis. Sometimes we have to work months homoeopathically, to overcome the consequences of antibiotics. Chloramphenicol is another antibiotic commonly used for acne. This has produced depressed bone marrow in a significant number of cases. The bone marrow is no longer able to produce white blood cells needed to fight infection and overwhelming infection can result. I understand that acne can be very disturbing for a teenager, but no amount of mental anguish can justify using drugs with such a potential for harm.  

Acid lotions, handmade or not, will burn the skin and all that comes with it. This apart from the abrasive effect will not sort the problem at any level. The pimples are produced by the stimulation of the sebaceous glands which in turn are stimulated by the hormones. Hence, if the skin is burned, it might improve for a few days, but they will keep coming again and again as the hormones keep stimulating.

Regarding steroids and cortisone lotions, are suppressing the immune system and driving the unbalance inwards to deeper organs. 

In summary, long-term antibiotics, and other lotions are suppressive treatments and this is to store up trouble; to suppress acne only leads to future pathology: a tendency to form abscesses, poor bowel function, slow rate of recovery for acute illnesses, lymphatic congestion and other problems.

Below some self-help tips that you can use on its own or conjunction with homeopathic treatment:

1. Clean the affected areas with a pure castile soap, olive soap or neem soap and rinse well. Do not use medicated soap. 
2. Find a good herbal shop or natural pharmacy and ask to prepare a combination tincture of Berberis Aquifolium + Echinacea Augustifolia + Calendula Officinalis in equal parts. Place 10 drops in half a small cup of water and use it to wash the affected area. 7 drops in 1/2 a glass of water can also be taken internally , once a day.
3. Take Zinc Gluconate 30 mg/day.

Most commonly used Homeopathic Medicines for Acne and their respective keynotes

The topmost homeopathic remedies used to address acne are Hepar Sulph, Belladonna, Silicea, Kali Bromatum, Sulphur and Pulsatilla. Important to note that for acne we have more than 291 remedies listed and clinically proven to address acne.

This is a chronic condition and therefore should be addressed by a homeopath. For a better understanding between chronic and acute conditions please refer to this link: https://alexcmelo.com/chronic-or-acute-conditions/

1. Hepar Sulph –One of the top remedies for acne filled with pus. It is the most frequently used remedy to treat pus-filled acne. Medically these are called pustular acne. A strong keynote is that the acne is extremely painful to the touch. Pain is usually pricking. Though it works well in people of any age, it is more prevalent in young people. Sometimes, the discharge is not only purulent but also bloody. If the symptoms above resonate the use a 30C potency once a day for 4 to 5 days. Do not use a higher potency without consulting a homeopath.

2. Belladonna– for acne bright red. This applies best when pimples are red in colour. Along with pimples, the face becomes red and shiny. Increased sweating on face may also be noticed. Although pimples may be present on any part of the face, they usually appear on the chin and the corners of the mouth. Pustules on the nape of the neck, arms and back. Skin feels hot to the touch.

3. Silica – for pus-filled and cystic acne. This remedy applies  for pus-filled pimples and cystic acne (painful pus-filled bumps forming deep under the skin due to infection and inflammation from blocked pores in the skin). This medicine helps to dry the pus-filled acne aiding prompt healing. It also works well on pimples that cause itching and burning sensation, which gets worse in the daytime.

4. Kali Bromatum – for pimples on face, chest and shoulders. It is the main medicine to deal with acne breakouts on face, chest and shoulders. It can be used for simple/hardened acne or when acne contains pus. This acne may look bluish red or purple tinged and can be itchy too. It is also an excellent remedy for acne that leaves scars once it is healed.

5. Sulphur– acne that the main feature is itching. This remedy is excellent when it comes to treating acne that is extremely itchy, particularly at night. The itchiness can be aggravated after bathing or by warmth. Although acne may occur on any area of the face, if it is more prominent on the forehead, sulphur. These may be inflamed and painful to touch as well. Lastly, it is suitable to treat comedones, commonly called blackheads (blockage of pores with oil, dead skin cells occurring on forehead and chin).

6. Pulsatilla– for commonly applies in acne of young girls in puberty. Pulsatilla is a natural medicine sourced from a plant called ‘wind flower’. It is the most suitable remedy to address acne in young girls at puberty. It is also a leading remedy used mostly to address acne associated with menstrual irregularities, amongst others. Typically, a girl needing Pulsatilla will feel much better in open air and worse in a warm room. Basically, they crave fresh air, cold food and drinks, although they are not thirsty.

Note You may use any of these medicines for about 2 to 3 weeks. To continue using them beyond this period, seek consultation from a homeopath. It is also strictly advised not to take high potencies of any of these medicines without consulting a homeopath

About the Author

PRACTICING CLASSICAL HOMEOPATH AND DOCTOR OF MICROBIOLOGY
ALEXANDRA CARNEIRO DE MELO, PhD MSc, PhD (London), DIHom (Pract), FBIH, RSHom

Education Personal

Accreditations:

• BSc – Food Engineering, 1989 – Porto University, Portugal (High Class Honors)
• MSc – Food Microbiology, 1991 – University of Reading in the UK
• PhD – Applied Microbiology, 1997 – King’s College, London
• DIHom(Pract) – Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine, Practitioner Level British Institute of Homeopathy
• FBIH – Fellowship for life, British Institute of Homeopathy
• RSHom – Member of The Society of Homeopaths

As a homeopath, my ultimate goal is to help you live to your fullest capacity, where the entire spiritual, mental, emotional, social and physical being is restored to the natural state it was created in. Please do get in touch if you are ready to begin your healing journey.

Website: www.alexcmelo.com

Alexandra Melo