Cystic Acne Treatment Through Dietary Changes & Beyond

The AHA! Team — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 06:11:16 +0000

Annie Price, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Have you ever had large, red, painful breakouts? These cystic acne breakouts can affect both men and women as young as 8 or as old 50. The face is the most common and concerning area of occurrence, but other problem areas can include the chest, back, upper arms and shoulders. Cystic acne, which is way worse than just any old pimple, is actually the most severe form of acne possible. Common medical treatment for cystic acne might work, but some have very serious side effects. A natural way to fight cystic acne is to address the gut-skin connection with the use of probiotics through food, supplements and home remedies for acne. In fact, way back in 1961, a case report found that out of 300 acne patients given a probiotic, 80 percent had clinical improvement. Read on to learn how you can naturally treat your cystic acne and have clear skin once again. What Is Cystic Acne? Also called nodulocystic acne and similar to nodular acne, cystic acne is an intense form of acne that results in large, inflamed cysts and nodules that appear on the skin. Unlike other milder forms of acne, cystic acne is noticeably painful and occurs when oil and dead skin cells build up deep down in hair follicles or pores. Cystic acne is most common during puberty for young boys, but sadly, it can continue into the adult years, especially when there is a hormonal imbalance. For adult women, it’s common to to experience cystic acne around their menstrual cycles, especially on the the jawline and chin, which are the common areas for hormonally motivated breakouts. It’s more serious than hormonal acne, which occurs with both men and women when undergoing significant hormonal changes, such as aging, pregnancy or stress. In contrast, cystic acne can happen at any age because of dietary sensitivities and an overproduction of sebum. Symptoms Acne vulgaris is the medical name for common acne. Acne conglobata, or cystic acne, is a more serious and rarer form of acne that occurs mainly in young men, but it can affect people of both sexes and various ages. When you have cystic acne, your skin’s pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells and become inflamed. It becomes cystic acne when the pore ruptures underneath the skin, which causes the inflammation to spill out into the surrounding skin tissue. This chain reaction can continue in the skin, triggering wider inflammation, spreading more acne bacteria and more breakouts. Next, your body forms a cyst around the area to stop the inflammation from spreading further. Symptoms of cystic acne include: large, red and painful breakouts on the face, chest, back, upper arms, shoulders and/or thighs nodules that appear as raised, red bumps that generally do not have whiteheads showing — they can resemble a keloid lesions that are usually felt beneath the skin before they’re seen more visible acne that produces cysts and nodules in addition to papules and pustules breakouts that are painful to the touch or even when not touched decrease in self-esteem and mood and increase in psychological distress, especially when cystic acne occurs on the face The unique appearance of a cystic acne is due to the acute damage to the oil gland causing intense inflammation and irritation, which leads to redness, swelling and soreness. Cystic acne is easy to diagnose by a dermatologist and does not require any special tests. Causes Cystic acne can be caused by or related to: Genetics Hormonal changes, including polycystic ovary syndrome High levels of humidity and sweating Pore-clogging and irritating face and body care products Some drugs and chemicals (for example, corticosteroids, lithium, phenytoin, isoniazid), which may worsen or cause eruptions that are similar to acne Cystic acne often runs in families. If one or both of your parents had severe cystic acne, then you have a greater chance of having it as well. It’s most common in teenage boys and young men. It’s believed that hormones called androgens can play a part in the development of cystic acne in teens when there is an increase in androgens. This increase leads to changes in your skin that can result in clogged pores and acne. Cystic acne doesn’t only affect men, though. For women, hormone changes that trigger cystic acne can be brought on by menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. Conventional Treatment Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne, but over-the-counter remedies aren’t always enough to treat this form of acne. If any, benzoyl peroxide is a topical antibacterial treatment that is most often used to treat acne and may help less severe cystic acne. Instead, many people opt to see a dermatologist in order to get diagnosed and then prescribed medications to treat cystic acne. The most effective conventional medicine for cystic acne is isotretinoin (Accutane), which actually is derived from vitamin A. While most people experience a reduction in acne lesion counts, adverse events are common, especially overly dry skin, mood issues and decreased appetite. If the cystic acne covers a lot of skin, a dermatologist may want to prescribe oral antibiotics. While these can work against the inflammation and bacteria, they don’t address the excess oil or dead skin cells. Because of antibiotic resistance, they should only be used in the short term, if at all. Topical retinoids also may be used and are related to vitamin A, but in general they’re not sufficient to address cystic acne. They can also make your skin red and peel — plus make it very vulnerable to sunburn. Another prescription medication is spironolactone (Aldactone), a diuretic that usually is used for edema as well as high blood pressure. It’s also used for acne but mostly just women who have acne around their jawline. Its side effects can be serious and should not be taken if planning to become pregnant. Natural Remedies 1. Avoid these foods Conventional Dairy: Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, conventional dairy products can be hard on the digestive system. Many people see an improvement in their acne when they cut down or eliminate dairy products like milk, cheese and ice cream. If you want to check if dairy is a culprit, try eliminating it from your diet for two weeks to see if your cystic acne improves. If it does, then you know that dairy is not agreeing with you. You can choose to remain dairy-free, or you can slowly reintroduce dairy back into your diet. Choosing better-quality dairy can be helpful as well. Sugar: Sugar and other high-glycemic foods (like breads and pasta) can make inflammation in your body worse. The more inflammation you have, the worse your cystic acne will be. Try natural sweeteners instead. Consuming excess amounts of sugar and grain products can also feed yeast and candida in the body, increasing the presence of acne on the skin. Caffeine and chocolate: Many experts like to say that there is no link between caffeine and chocolate consumption and breakouts. However, there is no doubt that caffeine consumption has a direct impact on your hormonal balance. In particular, caffeine overdose can raise the stress hormone known as cortisol, which can cause cortisol face. By reducing or eliminating various sources of caffeine, like coffee, tea and chocolate, you can help keep your hormones in better balance and clear up your cystic acne. Low-fiber, highly processed foods: Consuming foods that are low in fiber and highly processed has a direct negative effect on your gut health, which negatively impacts skin health. When you consume processed meat products like cold cuts, breakfast cereals and microwave meals, an unhealthy shift occurs in your inner microbial colonies. This sets off inflammation throughout your entire body, which can bring on a cystic acne flare-up or make any current acne even worse. Fried and fast foods: These foods are also highly processed and low in fiber. Additionally, they contain a number of ingredients that cause inflammation, including hydrogenated oils, sodium, chemicals, flavorings and sugar. 2. Eat these foods Probiotic-rich foods: The healthier your gut is, the better your balance of good versus bad bacteria. When you consume probiotic-rich foods like kefir and cultured vegetables, the probiotics line your gut and create a healthy, sealed barrier that prevents inflammation that can trigger acne. One Korean study of 56 acne patients found that drinking a Lactobacillus-fermented dairy beverage effectively reduced their total acne lesion count and decreased oil production over 12 weeks. High-zinc foods: People with acne tend to be low in zinc so you definitely want to increase your dietary intake of zinc by consuming things like grass-fed beef, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and cashews to prevent a zinc deficiency. Zinc also supports a healthy digestive tract, which improves skin health. Vitamin A-rich foods: Foods high in vitamin A, like kale, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots, fight infection and speed healing, two things you definitely need when you’re trying to get rid of cystic acne. Fiber-rich foods: Consuming high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and oatmeal encourages colon cleansing as well as the growth of good bacteria in the gut, both of which can help eliminate cystic acne. High-quality protein foods: Grass-fed beef, organic chicken, wild-caught fish and free-range eggs are high in protein and nutrients and help balance blood sugar, a key component in the fight against cystic acne. Liver-supportive foods: Since hormones are processed in the liver, eating liver-supportive foods can help clear up acne. Eat more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower as well as leafy greens and high-fiber fruits, such as pears and apple, for improved liver function. 3. Consider taking these supplements Probiotics (10,000 IU to 50,000 IU daily, typically two to three capsules twice daily) — Taking probiotics can boost your immunity and help your internal fight against cystic acne. You can also use probiotic skin care products, which can provide a protective external shield. Studies show that probiotics may help prevent skin eruptions. Omega-3 fatty acids (1,000 milligrams of fish oil/cod liver oil daily or 3,000 milligrams of flaxseed or chia seed oil) — Omega-3 helps reduce inflammation and support hormone balance. One scientific study specifically found that after 10 weeks of omega-3 fatty acid or GLA supplementation, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions decreased significantly. Zinc (25–30 milligrams twice daily) — Research suggests that people with acne have lower blood and skin levels of zinc. Taking zinc by mouth may help reduce acne. Vitex (160 milligrams of Vitex/chasteberry) — This herbal remedy is specifically recommended for hormonally induced acne. Guggul or guggulsterone (25 milligrams twice daily) — Guggul is made from the sap of a tree native to India. For individuals suffering from cystic acne, a controlled clinical trial found that guggul supplements outperformed 500 milligrams of tetracycline. It’s also been shown to be effective for nodulocystic acne, a similar form of acne that usually targets the face, chest and back. 4. Consider essential oils Essential oils like tea tree and lavender can help fight cystic acne. The best way to use essential oils for acne is to apply two to three drops topically to the area of concern. Tea tree and lavender essential oils are safe for neat (direct) application, but they can also be combined with a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil if you have sensitive skin. A scientific review of the efficacy, tolerability and potential modes of action in regard to the treatment of acne with tea tree oil states that tea tree products reduce lesion numbers in patients with acne, have tolerability levels that are similar to other topical treatments, and have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities that are associated with the treatment of acne. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight when treating acne with essential oils. The UV rays can make your skin more sensitive and may lead to skin irritations or redness. If using any of these essential oils causes skin irritation, discontinue use of that oil. Skin Care Tips 1. No popping Whatever you...

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Study Links Exposure to Nighttime Artificial Lights with Elevated Thyroid Cancer Risk

AHA Publisher — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 08:00:54 +0000

Wiley via EurekAlert – People living in regions with high levels of outdoor artificial light at night may face a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. The finding comes from a study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Over the past century, nightscapes–especially in cities–have drastically changed due to the rapid growth of electric lighting. Also, epidemiological studies have reported an association between higher satellite-measured levels of nighttime light and elevated breast cancer risk. Because some breast cancers may share a common hormone-dependent basis with thyroid cancer, a team led by Qian Xiao, PhD, of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, looked for an association between light at night and later development of thyroid cancer among participants in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, which recruited American adults aged 50 to 71 years in 1995-1996. The investigators analyzed satellite imagery data to estimate levels of light at night at participants’ residential addresses, and they examined state cancer registry databases to identify thyroid cancer diagnoses through 2011. Among 464,371 participants who were followed for an average of 12.8 years, 856 cases of thyroid cancer were diagnosed (384 in men and 472 in women). When compared with the lowest quintile of light at night, the highest quintile was associated with a 55 percent higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. The association was primarily driven by the most common form of thyroid cancer, called papillary thyroid cancer, and it was stronger in women than in men. In women, the association was stronger for localized cancer with no sign of spread to other parts of the body, while in men the association was stronger for more advanced stages of cancer. The association appeared to be similar for different tumor sizes and across participants with different sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index. The researchers noted that additional epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm their findings. If confirmed, it will be important to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between light at night and thyroid cancer. The scientists noted that light at night suppresses melatonin, a modulator of estrogen activity that may have important anti-tumor effects. Also, light at night may lead to disruption of the body’s internal clock (or circadian rhythms), which is a risk factor for various types of cancer. “As an observational study, our study is not designed to establish causality. Therefore, we don’t know if higher levels of outdoor light at night lead to an elevated risk for thyroid cancer; however, given the well-established evidence supporting a role of light exposure at night and circadian disruption, we hope our study will motivate researchers to further examine the relationship between light at night and cancer, and other diseases,” said Dr. Xiao. “Recently, there have been efforts in some cities to reduce light pollution, and we believe future studies should evaluate if and to what degree such efforts impact human health.” To read the original article click here.

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Cystic Acne Treatment Through Dietary Changes & Beyond

Study Links Exposure to Nighttime Artificial Lights with Elevated Thyroid Cancer Risk