What Causes Acne? A Blood Sugar Imbalance

Acne is caused by an increase in skin cell turnover and excess sebum blocking the pores of the skin. This then leads to bacteria flourishing at the site of the blocked pore and creating inflammation. The causes of this are somewhat complex, however, here we will be discussing how high levels of blood sugar contribute to the problem.

Several scientific studies have shown that people with acne do not process sugar properly. It is this connection between high blood sugar and acne that led two scientists to call acne "skin diabetes".

When we eat carbohydrates, they are digested into individual glucose molecules. These are then absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream where they can enter our cells and be burned for energy. When sugar is released into the bloodstream, the pancreas is triggered to release the hormone insulin, which transports the sugar into our cells. People with acne have been shown to do this ineffectively.

The level of sugar that is in the bloodstream at any one time can be affected by the types of carbohydrates we eat. Some carbohydrates are broken down into glucose molecules quicker than others. The rate at which a carbohydrate does this can be measured by what's called its Glycaemic Load (GL). A food with a high GL, such as sugar or refined carbohydrates, releases its sugar quickly, whereas one with a low GL has a more slow release.

When we eat too much of a food with a high GL, this causes a large amount of sugar to be dumped into the bloodstream which then triggers a large amount of insulin to remove it. Eating in this way, aswell as consuming stimulants such as coffee, tea and alcohol, which also raise the blood sugar, can lead to the cells becoming resistant to insulin. When this happens, insulin is unable to do its job of transporting sugar into the cells effectively. In response to this, the body then produces even more insulin to try to lower the blood sugar.

The problem with high insulin for acne sufferers, is that insulin does more than simply lower blood sugar. When in high amounts, it can trigger sebum and skin cell production as well as leading to hormone imbalances which are also found in acne sufferers.

It therefore makes sense, in trying to get rid of acne, to follow a low GL diet to reduce insulin output. However there are several other factors which control insulin levels other than your Glycaemic load. There are also other causes of acne other than your blood sugar. The good news is that all of these can be taken care of with natural methods. The first step, however, would be to manage your blood sugar with a low GL diet.

Emma Taylor is a Clinical Nutritionist who specialises in treating skin problems. Her interest in this subject comes from her own struggle with acne and the side effects suffered from acne medications. From her research, she has learned how to treat acne and other skin conditions naturally, without having to resort to prescription drugs.

http://www.banishacne-freereport.com/

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The Best Way to Treat the Causes of Acne

Acne is a serious problem with many teenagers and adults. It can affect your self-esteem and make you feel anything but beautiful. However, if you are familiar with the causes of acne, you can help reduce the breakouts and their severity. The first thing to do, though, is determine what is making your acne worse.

Common Causes of Acne
While doctors don't know the exact cause of acne, they do know how it happens. Hair follicles contain an oil gland that produces sebum. This substance is necessary because it helps moisturize the skin and hair. Without it, your skin and hair would a dry, flaky mess. However, there are several contributing factors that make the body product too much sebum. Bacterium begins to grow in the hair follicle, which results in an eruption in the skin. By determining what causes your body to product more sebum, you can effectively reduce your chances of an acne breakout.

Prescription Medications and Over-the-Counter Acne Products
For the occasional pimple, there are several products that can help reduce the amount of time it takes for blemish to disappear. However, these products do not prevent acne - they only help reduce the length of the breakout. For those with severe acne that continues to be a problem, you're going to need alternative options.

Holistic Acne Treatment
Holistic acne treatments are designed to focus on your overall body, not just the acne itself. Since hormonal imbalances are often thought to be the cause of excessive sebum, helping to reduce those imbalances is one of the best ways to prevent acne. This might include relaxation techniques specifically designed to transform the way you deal with stress. You can also find relief in small changes in your diet, such as eliminating as many processed foods as you can. Other environmental factors, such as pollution, your current skin regime, and even your laundry soap could be irritating your acne. By eliminating some of the causes of acne out of your life, you could find your complexion clears up quite quickly.

A Final Thought or Two
Treating the underlying causes of acne will help your skin and your self-esteem. It's an embarrassing problem and unfortunately, it's not just a "teenage" problem. You should review all areas of your life and determine if one or more of them is actually what is making your complexion the way it is. Don't just look on the surface, either. It's time to step back and take a look at your lifestyle.

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Ecthyma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Acne Help (Home) > Rare Skin Disorders > Ecthyma

Ecthyma is a skin infection characterised by crusted sores beneath which ulcers form. It is a deep form of impetigo as the same bacteria causing the infection are involved but ecthyma causes deeper erosions of the skin.

The streptococcal organism most often causes ecthyma. Any trauma or break in the skin allows the bacteria to begin growing.

Ecthyma usually arises on the lower legs or feet of children, diabetics, or neglected elderly people.

Soak a clean cloth in a mixture of half a cup of white vinegar in a litre of tepid water. Apply the compress to moist areas for about ten minutes several times a day. Gently wipe off the crusts.

A topical antibiotic ointment such as fucidic acid or mupirocin is often prescribed for localised ecthyma. A topical antiseptic such as povidone iodine, antibacterial Manuka honey or Crystacide (hydrogen peroxide) cream may be used instead. Apply it at least three times a day to the affected areas and surrounding skin. The treatment should be applied after removing crusts. Look carefully for new lesions to treat. Continue for several days after healing.

Oral antibiotics are recommended if the infection is extensive or proving slow to respond to topical antibiotics. The preferred antibiotic is penicillin, however the antibiotic chosen should be active against both Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus (usually dicloxacillin or flucloxacillin). The duration of treatment varies; several weeks of therapy may be necessary to completely resolve ecthyma.

In tropical climates pay attention to hygiene and use insect repellents to reduce bites.

1. Bacterial Skin Infections
Bacterial Skin Infections The skin provides an outstandingly good barrier against bacterial infections. Although many bacteria come in contact with or reside on the skin, they are normally unable [...] 3. Acne Diagnosis
Acne Diagnosis The diagnosis of acne is based on the history and physical examination. Lesions most commonly develop in areas with the greatest concentration of sebaceous glands, which include [...]

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Real Causes and Treatment Of Acne

Learning about how to treat acne and blackheads is great. These skin conditions not only cause physical problems but also emotional problems when a lot of young people are in early emotional development. Knowing how to treat them is important.

If you think that you are the only person who has acne, do not worry. There are tens of millions of people suffering from acne. There are many acne treatments available but first let us look at what causes acne as well as what we can do about it. We will discuss the various reasons and causes of why you have acne as well as the different treatments available to stop acne.

Acne is usually caused by your skin secreting more oils than what is normal. Most acne is caused by your body changing and going through puberty. Many young people have this problem and search for acne treatments. However, although the excess oil is what causes the problem, the real culprit is not the oil.

The real problem for blackheads and acne is the bacteria which is lodged within each of your pores of your skin. We live in a bacteria infested world and, as such, you will find bacteria all of your body. Most of the bacteria that we touch is fairly harmless. However, there are some that can kill and others that will cause acne.

Technically, acne is called "folliculitus". It literally means, medically speaking, an irritation or inflammation of the follicle. What happens is that the extra oil has this bacteria and your body naturally reacts to it like an infection. It is much like when your body fights a splinter. Your body thinks that it is under attack and fights the invader.
There are many acne treatments that attack acne and blackheads in a variety of ways. They all work in different ways by attempting to stop your acne problems.

Some acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide work to dry your skin and the oil within your skin. Benzyol peroxide is a strong oxidizer and will dry out your skin. Through drying out your skin, benzoyl peroxide will help your skin secret more oil topically that you can later wash away. They help stop blackhead development.

Another acne treatment is a Vitamin A derivative. It is a medicine that prior was only available through prescription. It is called Retin A and it is available in milder strengths over the counter. Retin A treatment works by causing your skin to manufacture skin cells at a great rate than what your skin usually produces. With this extra skin cell growth, the skin rejuvenates more rapidly and than help 'slough off' the extra oil with the extra cell development. It does work pretty well and is not that expensive.

Still there are other acne treatments. Another acne treatment is a pill called Accutane. However, Accutane is available only by prescription and is usually reserved for cystic or more severe acne cases. This acne treatment causes your body to secrete less oil at the skin level. I have tried it ant it works wonders--no doubt about it. However, this acne treatment is expensive and can cause some bad side effects. Also, you will need to monitor certain blood levels while you are undergoing Accutane treatment.

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