What Are Acne?

Acne or Acne Vulgaris is a very common skin condition that occurs when your pores get clogged with dead skin cells, and oil causing blackheads or white heads.

Vulgaris term means common, acne are also known as pimples, zits or spots.

They are common in all age groups but mostly found in teenagers.

What Are The Various Causes Of Acne?

The following reasons are known to cause acne:-

1. Genes:- acne is an inherited condition.
2. Hormones:- androgens from testes, ovaries and adrenals cause increased sebum production that leads to acne.
3. Medications:- like corticosteroids, and medications containing testosterone also trigger acne.
4. Stress:- stress causes new acne and worsens the existing ones.
5. Diet:- high glycemic and high carbohydrate diet cause acne. Milk and milk products are also known to cause acne.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Acne?

Acne are divided into 3 types and symptoms vary with each type. Types or grading of acne is as follows:-

• Mild acne
• Moderate acne
• Severe acne

Mild acne:- there is only presence of clogged pores or comedones with some inflammation only over the face.

Mild Acne

Moderate acne:- presence of papules and pustules over face as well as on the chest or back.

Moderate acne

Severe acne:- when there is presence of nodules(cyst) under the skin with size varying from 2mm to 5 mm along with inflammation is severe acne. This type of acne causes scarring.

Severe Acne

Can Diet Help You Get Rid Of Acne?

Diet plays a major role in acne. There are foods that can help prevent acne and also food items that flare up acne.

Food to be avoided

1. Sugar:- low glycemic diet helps in preventing acne. Sugar in blood causes a spike in sebum production which leads to clogged pores and causes acne.
2. Dairy:- dairy especially cow’s milk is known to increase acne. Some studies show hormones present in cow’s milk that trigger acne and other studies show that cow’s milk triggers insulin which inturn causes acne.
3. Whey protein:- whey protein is avoided because it is made of cow’s milk.

Food that should be added to your diet

1. Water:- hydration is the most important step. Have one glass of water every hour. Fruits and vegetables like oranges, broccoli, cucumber, spinach and tomatoes also have water content in them.
2. Omega 3:- flax seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds are rich in omega 3.
3. Vit A, Vit E, Vit D
4. Fibre:- carrots, tomatoes and leafy vegetables are rich source of fibre.
5. Protein:- yogurt.
6. Green tea
7. Vit C:- kiwi, citrus fruits and broccoli are good source of Vit C.
8. Zinc:- cashews and lentils are rich in zinc.