Acne is often
large enough to cause suffering to the patient, and if it is more common around
puberty, it can affect adults, especially women, well into their 20s and 30s.
A mainstay of
medical treatment is an antibiotic. However, the Swedish study presented
at the American Conference last week showed that the bacteria associated with
many cases are becoming increasingly resistant to the drug.
There is concern
that the overuse of antibiotics can cause problems with acne can be treated in
the future.New research also
shows that a significant proportion of women with acne have relatively high
levels of male hormones like testosterone in their system.
Could be treat acne
with antibiotics failed to get to the root of the problem and may, in fact,
keep problems for later on?
Acne is caused by
obstruction of the glands that are responsible for sealing agent called sebum.
It tends to be more common around adolescence age, when the production
of testosterone (male hormone) may increase the secretion of sebum.
Related article: What hormones that cause acne?
Last week study,
published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, found that nearly two
thirds of women with acne have elevated levels of at least one type of male
hormone.
A recent study
showed an increase in androgen levels are factors that are more common in women
than previously thought acne.
Massive levels of
androgens in woman are often, but not always, associated with a condition
called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - multiple cysts in one or both
ovaries.
Other common
symptoms of this disease include breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities,
and excess facial hair and / or body. Women who suffer from acne and also shows
one or more of the other symptoms should consult their doctor so that the
relevant investigations for PCOS may be appropriate.
If PCOS is
diagnosed, treatment directed specifically at these conditions can be most
effective in the long term. One of the most
widely used conventional treatments for PCOS is cyproterone acetate, a major ingredient of the contraceptive pill Dianette.
Cyproterone
acetate may help PCOS by blocking the effects of androgens in the body.
However, a more natural approach exist. Although it is
unknown what causes PCOS, there is that higher than normal levels of androgens
are commonly found in these patients evidence is exacerbated by increasing
levels of another hormone - insulin.
Insulin is
released in response to carbohydrate foods (sugars and starches), and it makes
sense to limit foods that cause the highest insulin levels. This includes
sweets, white bread, pasta, white rice and potatoes.
Foods that can
help stabilize insulin secretion include, meat, fish, eggs, brown rice, beans,
legumes, nuts, whole grains, green vegetables and fruits other than grapes and
bananas. PCOS symptoms and / or increased androgen levels often can also help
the herbal approach.
The main androgen
is testosterone. In the body can be converted to a more active form of the
hormone dihydrotestosterone.
What is proper acne solutions when antibiotics not working?
The herb saw palmetto slow the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, and therefore palm
can help control acne in women with high levels of testosterone in their
system.
Available in
health food stores, a standard dose of 320 mg per day standardized extracts. Moreover, other
approaches can be effective in the treatment of acne. In natural medicine, is
often considered a problem of toxicity in the body. Therefore, it can help
patients to eat "clean" food as possible.
Try to avoid
fatty foods and mixed with artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives and
sweeteners. Drink about two liters of mineral water or filtered one more day to
help keep the body free of toxins. Some nutrients
may also be useful. Some women find their acne can be turned on before period.
This type of acne - known as pre-menstrual acne - often helped by taking 50 mg
of vitamin B6 per day.
Related Article: Hormonal Acne Women: Possible Hormonal Disorder
A study published
in the British Journal of Dermatology found that zinc therapy worked as well as
antibiotics.
Patients should
take 30 mg three times daily for three to four months, after which the dose may
be reduced to once or twice per day. It usually takes
12 weeks before the results are visible, and it can cause a copper deficiency,
I recommend 1 mg of copper for every 15 mg of zinc taken.