ACNE VULGARIS AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

                                                                ACNE VULGARIS

DEFINITION:-

                Acne vulgaris or pimple is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous apparatus. It occurs in the areas where sebaceous glands are large and numerous such as the face, chest, back and the shoulders. Face is by far, the commonest site.

AETIOLOGY OR CAUSES:-

-          It occurs mostly in young adolescents of either sex during puberty.

-          It is said to be due to an imbalance between the male and female sex hormones that is likely to occur at this age.

-          Over sensitivity of the sebaceous apparatus to androgens leading to excessive secretion of sebum may be possible factor.

-          The disease is possibly familial or genetic.

-          Presence of septic focus.

-          Greasy skin.

-          Constipation.

-          Menstrual irregularities.

-          Continuous changing of soaps and creams.

PATHOLOGY BEHIND ACNE:-

                The basic pathology is that there is hyper secretion of sebum and blockage of the orifices of the sebaceous glands by unusual deposition of lipid and keratin. Keratin plugs that block the orifices of the ducts are called “comedones”. A comedone is blackish in colour (hence the popular name black head) due to subsequent oxidation of the keratin plug. Excessive secretion of sebum along with blocking of the ducts favour secondary growth of propionibacterium acnes which in turn, accentuates the inflammatory process. The caputure sebum subsequently escapes in the surrounding tissues and sets up a foreign body reaction leading to the formation of the papules. At this stage, the lesion may heal completely but more commonly, there is added secondary infection either streptococcus or staphylococcus. This further accentuates the process and leads to formation of pustules, nodules or cysts. Healing subsequently occurs but the area is left with pits, scars or even keloids. The disease is essentially a chronic and lingering condition. Activity continues with involvement of fresh areas whereas healing occurs in the old areas.

SYMPTOMS:-

-          The presence of papules with typical blackish spread heads (comedones).

-          The papules subsequently change into pustules with discharge of sebum.

-          Over lying skin is greasy ad dusky red in colour.

-          Pimples sometimes very painfull and leaves scar marks on body.

-          Acne mainly occurs in face, back, scalp and shoulders.

TREATMENT:-

-          The face should be regularly washed with soap and the area of skin should be kept nongreasy and dry.

-          Calamine lotion with 2% sulphur ointment.

-          Zinc sulphade lotion is also useful.

-          Food items such as chocolates, pastries, creams, butter and eggs should be avoided.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

1.       AURUM METALICUM.

2.       CALCAREA SILICATA.

3.       CARBO ANIMALIS.

4.       CAUSTICUM.

5.       HEPAR SULPH.

6.       KALI BROM.

7.       NUX VOMICA.

8.       SEPIA.

9.       SILICEA.

10.   ARSENICUM ALBUM.

11.   CONIUM.

12.   KREOSOTUM.

13.   LACHESIS.

14.   NATRUM MUR.

15.   NITRIC ACID.

16.   PHOSPHORIC ACID.

17.   PULSATILLA.

18.   SULPHUR.

19.   THUJA.