Acne is a form of skin infection that is brought by dead skin and oil emitted from skin blocking the hair follicles. The skin normally sheds old skin and creates new one constantly. When the shaded skin is not removed, the dead cells build up and block hair from growing through the pores. Oil however, also when it’s too much on the skin, it forms a thick layer which causes blocking as well. Therefore, acne is mostly characterized to be noticeable in skin areas with many oily glands especially the face, back and the upper chest.
As much as food is essential to the body, there are some that contribute to occurrence of acne and there also some food that help in getting rid of acne from the skin. The table below entails the different kind of foods and their respective impact to acne.
Foods that trigger acne
- Bread and Bagels
- Milk
- Soda
- Chocolate
- Chips
- Ice Cream
Foods that get rid of acne
- Fruits and vegetables
- Spirulina
- Cashew nuts
- Foods rich in probiotics for instance kimchi and miso
- High water food like cucumbers and watermelons
- Fish rich in omega 3s such as salmon and sardines
Symptoms of Acne
- Pimple.
- White heads.
- Black heads.
- Scars.
Home Treatment
- Gentle cleansing with a mild soap and warm water twice a day.
- Avoid irritants such as itchy body oils and clothes.
- Avoid greasy body oils.
- Keep off from direct sunlight.
- Don’t engage in activities that may enact pressure or cause friction with your skin for instance wearing helmet or putting on outfits with tight collars.
Medical Treatment
Acne medication can be administered by either ingesting tablets (oral antibiotics) or applying it as skin ointment to the infected area. Combining both approach is said to be more efficient in eradicating acne. Acne medicine can be obtained over-the-counter for the mild cases or prescribed by doctor on severe cases. Over-the-counter medications include gels, soaps and lotions. These products contain ingredients that help in reducing and removal of acne. These ingredients include;
- Resorcinol
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Salicylic acid
- Sulfur
- Retin-A
- Azelaic acid
A specialist like dermatologist can treat severe cases by prescribing a stronger dose of over-the-counter medications.
