Archive for the ‘Acne’ Category

Could your Dog be Suffering from Canine Acne?



Everyone knows of acne as a human condition suffered by unfortunate teenagers during adolescence, but it is in fact quite common in certain breeds of dog too. The most susceptible breeds are young adult boxers, English bulldogs, Doberman pinschers, Great Danes and Rottweilers. The condition starts at puberty around 5 to 8 months of age. Most dogs improve with age and the condition typically resolves after one year of age, though some dogs can develop chronic acne.

Dogs with canine acne develop multiple comedones (blackheads) on their chin, lips, and muzzle. Plugs of debris made of natural substances such as keratin and sebum block the hair follicles, causing focal swellings which can rupture to form scabs.

Dogs with this condition have swellings, scabs and blackheads on their lips, chin and muzzle. These usually do not bother the dog unless a secondary bacterial skin infection develops. This can cause pain and itching, leading the dog to scratch at his/her face or rub it along the carpet.

Diagnosis is usually straight forward: the characteristic appearance described above, in one of the known susceptible breeds is usually sufficient. Your vet may decide to take a skin biopsy for confirmation, which can be done under sedation, local or general anaesthetic and then sent off to a histopathologist for analysis.

Treatment

Canine acne cannot really be cured, but can be controlled. Mild cases are usually not treated. The first step is always to rule out other conditions such as demodecosis (a mite infestation), ringworm and puppy strangles. The latter also causes anorexia and depression so if your dog is bright with a good appetite, it is unlikely to be this. Also important is to uncover any predisposing factors such as underlying allergies. Some of the breeds mentioned above, such as Boxers, are particularly susceptible to food allergy. Regular cleaning with anti-acne products (eg benzoyl peroxide) or mild anti-seborrheic shampoos will be required to decrease the bacterial load of the skin and remove cellular debris which could contribute to blocking the pores.

If pustules have ruptured and a secondary bacterial infection develops, your dog will need to take antibiotics for 3 or 4 weeks. Most broad spectrum antibiotics are effective, but to avoid any resistance problems a bacteriology swab is advisable so that a suitable antibiotic can be chosen with certain efficacy against the bacterium in question.

If a dog is scratching at his/her face a lot, an anti-inflammatory drug such as a one off steroid injection is probably indicated to alleviate the discomfort.

Refractory and recurrent cases can sometimes respond to retinoid therapy, similar to the human drug Roaccutane, which essentially stops the sebaceous glands in the skin from producing sebum. This however requires a veterinary specialists consent.

Natural Ways To Stop Acne Fast



There are a significant variety of acne treatments and remedies out there in the marketplace and it can be difficult and confusing to find a solution that can work well for you long term. Many acne sufferers have reported that using natural products and methods have helped them in their quest to get rid of acne.

These natural approaches do not work for everyone since acne is complex and there is no single solution that can work for all people. However if you have not tried any natural acne treatments then consider doing so as you may see positive and lasting results. Diet is one of the first things to consider when looking at a natural solution to acne.

For many people eating the high fat foods and junk foods can make their acne worse. Consuming more fruits and vegetables is always recommended as these foods have many great health benefits such as detoxification which can help to reduce the amount of acne causing bacteria in your body. Unfortunately it can be difficult to always eat enough fruits and vegetables which is why it can be ideal to turn to either a whole food supplement or to juicing.

There are many great natural whole food supplements you can purchase at most large supermarkets and health food stores. Many of them go by the name of green drinks. These concentrated supplements contain many green foods which can have many positive health benefits including helping to reduce acne.

You can also purchase a juicer which you can then use to make your own fresh juices out of fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, apples, pears, oranges and any other hard fruits and vegetables that you like and that can be eaten raw. You should use your diet to cleanse and detoxify your body so that acne causing bacteria has the least chance of surviving in the pores of your skin.

In addition you can also purchase detox kits usually from a local health food stores that can also help to clear your skin. Consider starting with a colon cleanse as that may have the largest effect since most people have colons that are clogged with waste so getting rid of this waste can really make a good difference in your overall health. Many times acne is a sign that something may be wrong with your health so do your best to improve your health by eating responsibly.

Exercise may also be beneficial in helping to reduce acne. If you live a highly dormant lifestyle then make sure to implement some sort of workout routine into your life. Be sure to do both aerobics and strength training. Start slowly and do even ten to fifteen minutes of exercise a day. The important thing is to start and make it a habit. It will always be difficult in the beginning but if you do it consistently it will become a natural part of your life.

When it comes to strength training make sure you do not overdo it. It takes your body a lot of time to recover from each weight training workout so give yourself at least 1 week rest if you lift fairly light weights. The heavier the weights you lift the more rest you need to take otherwise you could end up in a state of over training which weakens the immune system and makes you susceptible to illness.

Also try to relax and enjoy your life. Stress can also contribute to making acne worse. While it is difficult, try to see the good things about every situation and focus on that as this can make a big difference in how you feel. In life we tend to get what we focus on so make it a point to focus on things that serve you in the long term. Follow some of these natural and holistic acne treatment methods to help you get the clear skin and confidence you deserve.

How To Prevent Chin Acne



It’s not a new occurrence. People have always suffered from acne. A pimple has shown itself on everyone’s face at some point of their lives. You’re not alone! But if you find yourself with acne gathered on specific parts of your face, it can be overwhelming. Makeup treatment doesn’t seem to be doing the job, cleansers aren’t fixing the problem, what can you do? It has been known to target certain areas.

Perhaps this is why it’s so common that people look for solutions to nose, cheek, forehead and chin acne. Did you know that there are acne strips available for nose and chin blemishes? You can apply them directly to a wet chin or nose. After seven to ten minutes, the strips will harden. Peel the strip from your chin. You’ll see oils and trapped dirt on the strip. That’s what was trapped in the pores of your chin! Although acne strips aren’t a true acne solution, they successfully remove chin blackheads and open your pores.

Nevertheless, if you want to get chin acne under control, you’ll need more than strips for your chin. Daily cleansing is very important, as is exfoliating to remove acne. Chin acne strips will only remove the oils and blackheads, they will not prevent acne from occurring again. So what can you do to get your breakout under control? There are many different methods and several different reasons for chin acne. Hopefully, one of the following chin acne solutions will work for you:

Do you notice an outbreak just before menstruation? Believe it or not, this type of acne is very common in women. There are a few things you should do in order to prevent this type from occurring. Wash and exfoliate your face daily. Avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee or soda. Especially soda, because it’s so high in sugar! Fast foods are very greasy, as are fried foods. Grease gets trapped on our skin, which promotes cacne. Think about where your chin is located. That’s right, right below your mouth!

Engaging in routines that attract acne will not remedy your chin acne situation. If you want to get it all under control, wash your face as soon as you’re finished eating. Don’t touch your face, as oils get trapped in our fingers (think about keyboards, phones, and everything else you touch!). The goal here is to achieve a clean, healthy, youthful complexion. Touching your face will only aid the blockage of more pores, causing more problems for your goal: to get chin acne under control.