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.

Signs 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 instead of 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.
    -Oil seeds 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 a 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.