ACNE: DIAGNOSING AND TREATING THE RIGHT FORM OF ACNE YOU HAVE

Acne is probably one of the most debilitating, niggling annoyance a large amount of people can face at specific stages of their lives. It can affect men, women, boys and girls during teenage years and right into adulthood.

My acne story and what I did to clear up my skin.

I suffered with hormonal acne from the age of 16 to about 20 called Acne Vulgaris. It simply just would not go away, and the chin and jaw line area were the most affected areas linked to hormonal imbalance. I tried most over-the-counter acne products, I was on the Dianette pill, topical and internal antibiotics. These products would help initially but not long term, the problem would return after 4 to 6 months again in full force.

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“I KNEW IF I DIDN’T TRY TO TACKLE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, IT WOULD LEAD TO SCARRING AND CONSISTENT PROBLEMS LONG TERM.”

This is where my love for nutrition came about. I started researching more long term approaches to help treat acne and I always knew diet played the largest role in tackling internal problems that has an affect on the outside. I started going to a health store called ‘Full of Beans’ in Waterford - a fantastic natural food store, and started taking products like Manuka honey, pure Aloe Vera (internally and externally), tea tree skincare, cinnamon and clove tea, and a range of other products that had natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, and I changed my diet.

I started eating more leafy green vegetables in the form of juices, good fats, Omega-3, flax seeds, avocado, soluble and insoluble fiber, such as oatmeal, oat bran, wheat bran, beans, nuts, and more fruits and vegetables. I basically lived in the health store.

My skin started to clear up, I would still get hormonal spots but not as severe and they were easier to control and manage compared to the vicious outbreaks I had before. I was balancing my hormones through my diet.

“I KNEW FROM THAT DAY FORWARD IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO PUT A STRONGER EMPHASIS ON NUTRITION THAN WHAT I WAS USING TOPICALLY TO TREAT THE ISSUE.”

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Best foods to help hormonal balance

Best foods for hormones - yes, you guessed it - all the greens, such as kale, spinach and broccoli. Turnips will help you to get rid of bad estrogen, and cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cauliflower are also very good for hormonal balance.

Include good fats - avocado, nuts, flax seeds and Omega-3. Walnuts contain polyphenols that fight free radicals. The hormone-balancing effect of almonds can be good for you just as antioxidants in berries, pomegranate and cherries. Make sure your diet contains plenty of fibre, leafy veg and all your greens. Turmeric has very strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Tofu and quinoa are amazing sources of protein.

Medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi and maitake have incredible healing properties and ability to boost your immune system. They both are part of Moa drink - nutrient rich blend of 36 superfoods and superfruits that helps support exceptional health benefits, currently available in Peaches & Lime online shop.

Fungal acne - it is very important to diagnose and differentiate between acne types

Fungal acne can be mistaken for acne but in fact it is not acne at all.

The correct medical term is Malassezia Folliculitis. It is a fungal infection of the hair follicle which feeds off sebum (fatty acids) contained in your sebaceous glands. Before you get all gooey on me - everyone has good bacteria and certain levels of fungus on their skin. It is part of what makes up the acid mantle - fungi, sebum and sweat.

How can you treat fungal acne and what does it look like?

Fungal acne most often appears in clusters, on areas where there is more oil - the forehead, chest and back. It looks more uniform in size, can become itchy and sore. No medication will work as it is not bacterial, it is fungal which is best to control through your diet.

So how can we prevent it internally? First, we have to kill the fungus by removing sugar from your diet. Cut out carbs and change to a clean diet of fresh fruit and veg but be careful of high sugared fruit, such as bananas. Try reducing your caffeine intake. Eat non hormonal fish and meat, and drink high quality filtered water. Apple cider vinegar balances the pH of the body, so I would mix apple cider vinegar with water and apply to the skin once the area is not open to help to heal the skin.

“WHEN SOMETHING IS OFF OR IMBALANCED IN OUR BODY, THE PROBLEMS CAN SHOW ON OUR SKIN. THIS IS WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.”

How can you treat fungal acne and what does it look like?

Fungal acne most often appears in clusters, on areas where there is more oil - the forehead, chest and back. It looks more uniform in size, can become itchy and sore. No medication will work as it is not bacterial, it is fungal which is best to control through your diet.

So how can we prevent it internally? First, we have to kill the fungus by removing sugar from your diet. Cut out carbs and change to a clean diet of fresh fruit and veg but be careful of high sugared fruit, such as bananas. Try reducing your caffeine intake. Eat non hormonal fish and meat, and drink high quality filtered water. Apple cider vinegar balances the pH of the body, so I would mix apple cider vinegar with water and apply to the skin once the area is not open to help to heal the skin.

Acne: causes and expert treatment tips that really work
Take care of your gut health - the most important tip of all

Next, most importantly, clear out your gut. You have to be more mindful about shopping in good health stores and stocking up on probiotic foods, such as kimchi (spicy), sauerkraut, kombucha, miso soup and kefir. For both, acne and fungal conditions, it is imperative to eat a lot of probiotic foods for the health of your skin.. Make sure you are not cleansing or exfoliating the area or using topical oils to feed the fungus, such as olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil or scrubs of any kind. These oils help to spread the infection. You can use apple cider vinegar diluted in some water with a cotton ball to dab on the area to heal, Manuka honey, aloe vera is very soothing. Cinnamon and clove tea are good tea options or you can apply topically, with a cotton ball that you can dispose of hygienically.

Externally, if you have a workout, you need to shower straight away, make sure you wear loose and light clothing causing good ventilation, such as cotton. Try to get as much Vit D - from the sun as possible.

Ingredients in your skincare products are important

In order to treat acne in the form of pustules, make sure your skincare products contain ingredients such as camphor, clove and mint - these will help to de-congest the skin, while copper thyme and rosemary will have a strong antibacterial effect. You want to stay as clean and pure as possible with skincare products you use and foods you eat.

“USING 100% NATURAL ORGANIC PRODUCTS IS A MUST.”

Externally, if you have a workout, you need to shower straight away, make sure you wear loose and light clothing causing good ventilation, such as cotton. Try to get as much Vit D - from the sun as possible.

Ingredients in your skincare products are important

In order to treat acne in the form of pustules, make sure your skincare products contain ingredients such as camphor, clove and mint - these will help to de-congest the skin, while copper thyme and rosemary will have a strong antibacterial effect. You want to stay as clean and pure as possible with skincare products you use and foods you eat.

Avoid toxic build up in cosmetic care products that lead to chemicals mimicking estrogen levels and artificial ingredients leading to hormonally imbalance. I think its also very important to choose eco friendly packaging too!!

Importance of exercise and good sleep

I always advise that you exercise regularly for a good immune system, de-stress and make sure to get good quality sleep every night. Best sleep time is between 10pm - 4am. Most importantly of all, drink sufficient amounts of clean, filtered water every day. The recommended dose is 2 litres.

I hope these tips help you to have more of an understanding of acne and fungal infections that can look very similar, treated similarly through the diet whilst being two separate identities.

Every case is different so although these are rough guidelines that everybody can use, it is important to get an individual expert opinion and through these times I am available to reach out and help you in every way I can by email: erica@peacheslime.ie.

Until then, take good care and I’ll talk to you soon.

Erica

ACNE: DIAGNOSING AND TREATING THE RIGHT FORM OF ACNE YOU HAVE

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