How Zinc and Vitamin A Team up to Fight Acne

Studies have shown that zinc and Vitamin A are the two most common deficiencies in acne sufferers.

While Vitamin A is known as the top anti-infective defense for the immune system, zinc is known for its properties as an immune-system booster. In fact, zinc promotes Vitamin A metabolism and aids the absorption and distribution of Vitamin A. Acne is one of several conditions that arises from a weakening immune system.

Zinc levels in the body directly affect the level of function of the white blood cells in the body. This in turn makes the body more vulnerable to bacterial infections and causes fluctuating hormone levels; both these directly affect the health of the skin.

Zinc is found in abundance in shellfish, beef, other red meats, eggs, nuts, whole grains and legumes are good sources of zinc. Vitamin A-rich foods include pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato, squash, spinach and cod liver oil.

While both these essential nutrients play a large role in the treatment of acne, one should never take supplements without the direction of a physician. Vitamin A, when taken in very large quantities, can cause toxicity in the body.

Another word of caution: iodine has been found to exacerbate acne. While shellfish is rich in zinc (which is important in treating acne), shellfish and other seafoods have also been found to have high levels of iodine. Turn to a trusted practitioner for guidance and treatment suggestions.

Hormone Testing for Acne

Unlike conventional medicine, naturopathy focuses on treatment that works from the inside out. Hence, if you are seeking naturopathic remedies for acne, your doctor will almost always recommend a complete hormone evaluation before suggesting a treatment plan.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a woman's mature acne is often the result of hormonal imbalances that are most often influenced by androgens in the body. Androgens are also responsible for stimulating the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin. During menstruation, hormone levels fluctuate in the female body and women experience breakouts of acne. Increases in stress can also lead to further sex hormone production which stimulate sebaceous glands to create excess oil. Even the presence of acne can be a source of stress alone.

Hence, the naturopathic approach would include an evaluation of stress hormones like cortisol as well as sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Such a preliminary evaluation will allow your doctor to determine whether your adult acne is caused by hormonal imbalance, or whether it has been induced by other factors like stress or diet.

Poultices and Hydrotherapy

A poultice is often used in herbal or naturopathic treatment to relieve inflamed or irritated skin, including acne. To make a poultice, selected herbs are ground into a paste, and placed in between two thin pieces of cloth that are moist and warm. If the mixture of herbs in the poultice is dry, it can be bound with soft, hot, wet flour or cornmeal. A poultice should never be placed on open wounds.

The mixture of herbs in a poultice varies depending on its application. For example, a poultice made of with bran and hot water is applied for bruises and sprains. Carrots, boiled and mashed are used in poultices for boils and cold sores. Grated raw potatoes mixed with hot water and applied with a poultice is known to relieve arthritis inflammation.

A poultice should always be warm, or as hot to the touch as one can tolerate. Replace with a fresh poultice if it goes cold.

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water in treating health conditions. It can be used as an internal or external form of treatment.

Colon hydrotherapy is often used for acne treatment. In a procedure performed by a licensed hydrotherapist, water is introduced into the colon to soften and eliminate the waste and toxins in the body. This procedure is usually repeated a few times during the duration of acne treatment.

Some other medical applications of hydrotherapy include warm moist compresses to treat aches and pains, ice packs, as well as internal consumption of water to hydrate and cleanse the body at the same time. Steam baths or saunas, Native-American sweat lodges, as well as Turkish baths are all built around the belief that water has healing properties.

Acne and You

Don't be ashamed to seek treatment for your acne. Most adults wrongly assign acne as a “teenage” affliction. But in reality, both adults as well as adolescents can get acne. In fact, adult women often suffer from acne due to a variety of reasons stemming from hormonal imbalances as well as women's health issues. Some 60 million Americans, including 20% of all adults, get acne. Of these, 20 million will have acne so severe that it will leave scars.

For women, acne could also signal other problems like infertility, irregularities in the menstrual cycle or polycystic ovarian syndrome. For adults in general, acne can be a warning sign for obesity, diabetes or high levels of blood sugar.

Recognize your acne problem in its early stages and seek immediate treatment to avoid escalation. Ordinary-looking blackheads and whiteheads are also a form of acne, and if left untreated, can exacerbate into more severe acne.

Naturopathic acne treatment includes a thorough evaluation and a holistic treatment plan. However, here are some everyday tips to follow if you have acne:

1. Don't scrub your face when you wash. Instead, clean gently with a soft washcloth.

2. Don't pick the pustules. This increases the chance of the infection spreading to other areas.

3. Avoid use of soaps and harsh chemicals, including perfumes, creams and cosmetics.

4. Avoid foods high in salt as iodine (in your iodized salt) is known to exacerbate acne. Certain types of fish are also known to be high in iodine.