Acne vulgaris

By Dr. Kishin Mulchandani

Acne vulgaris
Acne is chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicles. It is characterized by the formation of comedones, erythematous papules and pustules, less frequently by nodules or pseudocysts and, in some cases is accompanied by scarring.
The pathogenesis involves four major factors
Increased sebum production
An abnormality of the microbial flora.
Cornification of the pilosebaceous duct.
Production of inflammation.
The condition usually starts by the mid twenties. Acne incidence increased during puberty is due to the increased sebaceous activity. Acne develops earlier in females than in males which may reflect the earlier onset of puberty, but it usually is some what severer in boys. In twenties it gradually decreases and it again seen specially in women after the age of 26 or so.
Common occurance of acne at puberty is because of increased production of sex hormones, which makes the sebaceous glands hyperactive. Sebaceous activity is predominantly dependent on androgenic sex hormones of gonadal or Adrenal origin. Because of a deficiency in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) androgen and progesterone are responsible for hyperplasia of the oil gland (eunuchs do not have oily skins) there is general agreement that plasma testosterone levels are not abnormally high in males with acnes..
Diet
Hereditary factor
Premenstrual flare
Sweating
UV radiation.
Psychogenic stree
Occupation
Constipation
Acne is not infectious
Location
Acne is polymorphic disease which occurs predominantly on the face, most frequently on the checks and in lesser degree on the nose forehead, and chin
Ears large comedones in the concha cysts in the lobes and sometimes retroauricular comedones and cysts.
Neck large cysts area may predominate which may later become keloidal.
Upper part of the chest, shoulder and back
Occasionally seen on the thighs and buttocks.
Scarring
Non inflamed lesions grade l
Inflammatory lesions grade ll
Some important homoeopathic remediesy
Ant crud
Berb aq
Bovista
Bromium. Carbo a, Chysarobinum. Calc phos, Carb Veg
Cimci rac, Conium, Eugenia jamb Graphite, juglan reg, Kali br Kali Ars, ledum Medorrhinum, Nux v, phos acid Psorinum, Robina Sars off, Sulphur, Sulph acid