Recently, i am dealing with cystic acne.
I have gone to dermatologists, taken the typical antibiotics (tetrecyclines)
and  endured the typical cortizone shots. I really can't afford, both
in terms of time and money, to continue visiting them. My question is,
are there any ways--dietary precautions, herbal, chinese medicine,
supplements, topical medicines other than typical BP or SA-- to treat
acne cysts or nodules without goin to the dermatologist? I would like
to know about those ways.

---

Clarification of Question by overmyhead1382-ga on 06 Apr 2006 22:14 PDT

i am male, 19, never suffered serious acne when i was a teenager.

---

Clarification of Question by overmyhead1382-ga on 06 Apr 2006 22:25 PDT

Also, cystic acne does not cover whole face. two at a time...they
heal, and two-three emerge again.

Hello overmyhead1382-ga!

Since my husband is a physician interested in complementary and
alternative medicine, this question caught my eye. I?m sorry to hear
that this has been an ongoing problem for you. I can certainly
understand your desire to explore treatments outside of the
?traditional? medical community. I performed a couple of simple
searches and found a wealth of information for you. As you can see
from the previously posted comments, there are a number of varying
opinions out there. I have done my best to take the information on a
couple of websites and distill it down to some simple suggestions. Of
course this comes with the caveat that this answer is not a true
substitute for a medical opinion and that any serious health concerns
should be addressed with a qualified health care provider. With that
said, here we go.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SOURCES

Rather than cite the same sources repeatedly, I will present the links
to my two most useful sources here, understanding that the information
below is summarized from them. Direct quotes will be enclosed by
quotation marks.

Holisticonline.com, a compilation of alternative treatments for a
variety of medical conditions.
http://www.holistic-online.com/REMEDIES/acne.htm

About.com, from the Alternative Medicine section, hosted by Cathy
Wong, N.D., a Naturopathic Doctor.
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/acne.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES

Even though you have pursued this already, I will include a few
details for completion?s sake. No matter what approach you ultimately
take to treat acne, noticing triggers can be very helpful. Are there
certain foods that cause eruptions? Does stress affect your skin? Do
certain weather types cause a problem? Are there any chemicals or
substances that, when you are exposed to them, cause an eruption? Some
of the commonly prescribed therapies (all of which you have mentioned)
include:

* Topical and systemic antibiotics
* Retin A applications
* Corticosteriod injections

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

COMMON SENSE

This is a list of simple things that can be done to minimize
eruptions. You may have tried many of them already, but there may be
things you can try for the first time.

* Wash your skin daily with a mild soap, or benzoyl peroxide
* Avoid scrubbing
* Don?t squeeze or pick at pimples as this could cause infection and scarring
* Use a fresh blade when shaving, but avoid shaving unnecessarily.
Avoid an electric razor.
* Keep hair clean and away from the face and shoulders.
* Avoid greasy lotions and creams, including some sunscreens. These
tend to clog pores.

Each site mentions that if these fail, you should consult a physician
or other health care provider.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HERBAL REMEDIES

Understand that the FDA views most herbal substances as food products
and as such there is very little if any regulation on the production
and distribution of these products. The FDA does not verify claims
made by companies who produce herbal products. There are numerous
anecdotal references and some experimental evidence for the validity
of herbal remedies, however. Here are some of the suggestions made.

* Black currant seed oil or Evening primrose oil, 500 mg capsule,
three times daily for three months or until your acne clears up.
* Echinacea, caledula, tea tree oil (usually in topical form), and
goldenseal. Consult the specific product for dosing recommendations.
* If stress is a common trigger, try tea made from lavender or chamomile.
* Honeysuckle flower and cnidium seed are Chinese herbs recommended frequently.
* Tea made from equal parts of the herbal extracts of sarsaparilla,
yellow dock, burdock, and cleavers.

You should be aware of any interactions that may exist between herbal
supplements and prescription medications you may be taking. An
excellent site to consult is
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs. They have a nice
database that you can search, and then you can check for interactions
between multiple drugs and herbs at the same time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DIETARY/NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Most traditional physicians do not believe that there is a connection
between diet and acne. However, many practitioners of complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) will use diet as one approach to the
treatment of acne.

* Consume plenty of foods containing beta-carotene. Some examples are
carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and other yellow-orange fruits and
vegetables.
* Avoid excessive simple sugars, trans fats, salt, and processed foods.
* Drink plenty of water.
* Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and other sources of
dietary fiber. Here is a site that discusses increasing fiber intake
in children. It has a great list of sources of fiber, including
serving size suggestions.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/fiber.html
* Try to limit your intake of chocolate, caffeine, carbonated
beverages, milk products, and seafood and other iodine-rich foods.

There are certain vitamins that may be helpful in the treatment of
acne. Some frequent suggestions are:

* Zinc?may help to reduce inflammation
* Chromium?help boost the body?s ability to use glucose
* Vitamin A?reduces the production of oils and keratin that can block
pores. Avoid taking in too much as this can cause headache, fatigue,
and muscle and joint pains.
* Vitamin E?antioxidant. Doses higher than 200-400 I.U. per day may be
harmful and should be avoided
* Vitamin B-6?the recommended dose is 50 mg per day to aid in the
metabolism of hormones.

In the Ayurvedic tradition, originating in India, there are other
dietary recommendations that you may try.

* Bland foods such as oatmeal, applesauce, and basmati rice
* Avoid fried foods, spicy foods, and citrus fruits
* Tea made from ½ teaspoon of cumin, coriander, and fennel. Steep in
hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink after each meal daily.

Remember that adjusting your diet alone may not be helpful, but it can
be useful in conjunction with other treatments.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS

These ideas are aimed at changing the things that we do in our lives.
?Lifestyle changes? can be a catch-all term meaning ?lose weight, quit
smoking, quit drinking, get better sleep, eat more healthily,
eliminate stress, etc., etc., etc.? They are often ?easier said than
done,? but can be helpful nonetheless. Here are a few examples.

* Massage therapy can be helpful in improving circulation, which can
improve healing and lymphatic drainage.
* Stress-reducing activities such as yoga, relaxation techniques, and
breathing techniques.
* Exercise and weight reduction will decrease insulin production,
which can result in fewer circulating male hormones (such as
testosterone) that contribute to acne.

Anything that you can do to improve overall well being and reduce
stress can be helpful in conjunction with other treatments.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

OTHER THOUGHTS

Some other treatment options may include aromatherapy, acupressure,
juice therapy, reflexology, or yoga. If any of these are interesting
to you, research and seek out knowledgeable and qualified
practitioners in your area.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As you can see, there is a wealth of information out there, and lots
of people claiming that their way is the best way. The most important
thing is to pursue a course of treatment that you can stick with for
the ?long haul.? Again, this answer is intended to provide you with a
set of information that can be used in conjunction with the knowledge
of an experienced health care practitioner, whatever method he or she
may use. I hope that you find treatments and therapies that are
successful and satisfying to you. If you have need of any further
clarification please let me know how I can help.

Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga

Search terms:

alternative treatment acne
herb drug interaction
fiber-rich foods

---

Request for Answer Clarification by overmyhead1382-ga on 21 Apr 2006 14:01 PDT

Hi, I really enjoyed the condensed research presented, but I was
especially interested in the herbal remedies, aruvydic (sp?), and
supplements sections.
I was wondering if I could get more on that, because the rest of the
information is pretty second nature for a acne-sufferer like me. But I
do appreciate it.

---

Clarification of Answer by boquinha-ga on 23 Apr 2006 19:00 PDT

Hello overmyhead1382-ga!

I?m glad you found my answer useful. In response to your request, I am
including this additional Ayurvedic treatment for acne. It is a series
of topical treatments that you perform each night. It can be found at
http://www.holistic-online.com/REMEDIES/Acne.htm#AyurvedicTreatment.

* Mix one teaspoon of chickpea flour with a little water. Wash your
face with the paste. Dry with a clean towel.
* Mix one teaspoon of almond powder with one cup of goat?s milk. Apply
to your face (or affected area). Let dry for a few minutes. Wash off.
* Apply a turmeric-sandalwood cream. The turmeric may stain your skin
yellow, but this will disappear within two weeks.

Here is a combination formula for ?healthy skin.? This site sells a
number of Ayurvedic products.
http://www.ayurveda-herbs.com/14.htm

Here is a site that describes an Ayurvedic approach to healthy skin.
It includes a link to an herbal face pack for purchase.
http://www.ayurhelp.com/Doityourselffacials.htm


I also ran a quick search for additional herbal remedies. Here is a
link to an article about using green tea extract cream.
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ec_acne.html

Here is a brief overview of some Chinese herbs that may be helpful.
http://tcm.health-info.org/Dermatology/Dermatology%20pages/acne.htm

Here is a list of compiled links relating to acne treatment. Some are
somewhat more traditional in nature, but there are a lot linking to
sites that discuss herbs and other alternative treatments.
http://www.acne-resource.org/links/acne-products.html


Here is another ?overview? site with introductions to many alternative
treatments, including supplements, herbs, acupuncture, homeopathy, and
more.
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsConditions/Acnecc.html#NutritionDiet

Here is a general list of various alternative treatments, with
opportunities for people to rate them. There aren?t many ratings, but
the list is still fairly extensive.
http://remedyfind.com/type.asp?id=120&TYPE_ID=2


I think you will find these sites informative. I hope that you find
something within them to suit your needs. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga


Additional search terms:
Herbal treatment acne
Ayurvedic treatment acne
Nutritional supplement acne

thanks, good research.

Are you male or female? 

And what is your age?

I had cystic acne as a teenager, and here's how I finally licked it: I
took two showers a day, once before going to bed and once on
awakening, washing my hair both times, and I drank lots and lots of
water. If you haven't tried this combo, do it!

Try out these home remedies. Believe me they are very effective:

--Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder. 
--Make orange peel paste by grinding it in some water. Apply on and around acne. 
--Rub fresh garlic on and around acne. Acne will disappear without a
mark with regular applications.
--Mix 1 tsp's groundnut oil with 1 tsp fresh lime juice to prevent
formation of blackheads and acne.
--Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment
of pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.
--Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix mixed with fresh lime
juice, and apply on acne. This is also good for blackheads and dark
spots.
--Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every
night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent
pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.
--Mix groundnut oil with an equal amount of fresh lime juice and apply
on face. leave for 10-15 minutes and wash. It may be applied daily to
prevent formation of blackheads and pimples.
--Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling acne. 
--Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face
wash for acne, blackheads, and cracked skin.

Also the sites of acne guide are:
http://www.acne.org/
http://www.beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/acne.htm
http://www.acne-resource.org/
http://www.acne-psoriasis-treatment.com/
http://www.acneinformation.org/
http://www.beauty-fitness-guide.com/skin-diseases/acne.htm

Hope you find it helpful.

Unlike the previous comments.  You should ask your dermatologist. 
They would not recommend the lemon juice or etc...  What they do
recommend is trichloroacetic acid (TCA) which is the strongest skin
peel in actual use at doctors offices and plastic surgeons offices. 
Unlike 99.9% of all skin remedies and acne remedies which claim to
cure or heal acne or cystic acne, TCA is the only one that is in
current use by almost every dermatologist and plastic surgeon (because
it works) and it is now available for home use at tremendous savings:
<A HREF="http://www.bestskinpeel.com">Bestskinpeel.com </A>. 
There is no better remedy available for home use.

Hi overmyhead1382-ga!

Thank you for taking the time to rate my answer and thank you also for the tip!

Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga

P.S. I'm also currently working on your glaucoma question and am
posting the answer for you shortly.