1. How Healthy is Your Skin?
2. Battling Dry Skin
3. Understanding Eczema
4. Aloe for Your Medicine Chest
5. Cracked Skin Making You Cranky?
6. Eating 101: Preventing Acne
7. Coping with Corns
8. Reducing Odor-Causing Bacteria

1. How Healthy is Your Skin?
Skin cancer is a risk for everyone – not just for those living in sunny areas or who have fair skin. Start by checking your body for signs of skin cancer – studies show that people who regularly inspect their skin can reduce their risk of melanoma by as much as 63 percent. Use the following list to guide you through your self-examination:

• Note any changes in freckles or moles or any new bumps or nodules.
• Look for moles or freckles with irregular borders, mixed colors (especially black), signs of inflammation or pallor, and any increase in size.
• Pay attention to moles or freckles that are bigger than the size of a pencil eraser, fail to heal after a minor injury, or are scabby or scaly.

If you notice any of the above, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist – he or she can help to determine if treatment is necessary. In addition, you can help to prevent melanoma by protecting yourself from the sun with hats, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing.

2. Battling Dry Skin
If your skin is tight or scaly, and you’re looking for something to improve its condition, try supplementing with sources of essential fatty acid. Evening primrose oil, black currant oil and borage oil are all good sources of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which promotes healthy growth of skin, hair and nails. Of the three oils, black currant oil (in doses of 500 mg twice a day) is the most economical remedy for dry skin conditions. You won’t see immediate results from this treatment, but in six to eight weeks you’ll begin to notice positive changes.

3. Understanding Eczema
Eczema, an allergy-related skin condition, is characterized by red, scaly dry patches that are extremely itchy. The disorder is especially common in young adults, children and infants. Dermatologists usually treat eczema with topical steroids, but these drugs may simply suppress the problem – and may worsen it over time. Steroids can also negatively impact immunity. Instead of steroids, consider a drug-free approach – the one outlined below has worked well for many of my patients:

• Eliminate milk and all milk products from your diet, as well as products that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (often found in snack foods and baked goods) and trans-fatty acids (margarine, vegetable shortening).
• Take 500 mg of black currant oil twice a day (half that dose for children younger than 12). It contains gamma linolenic aid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy growth of skin, hair and nails. You should begin to notice positive changes in six to eight weeks.
• Apply aloe vera gel (from a fresh plant or buy lotions or moisturizers containing aloe) or calendula cream to affected areas.
• Experiment with lotions and salves containing chaparral (Larrea divaricata), a desert plant used topically in Mexican folk medicine for skin conditions.
• Visualization and hypnotherapy can also have a significant positive impact on allergy-related skin conditions. And try to relax – stress can make the condition worse. Explore relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and yoga.

In addition, be sure to bathe or shower as quickly as possible, and use a non-perfumed moisturizing soap. Apply a thick moisturizing cream immediately after patting yourself dry – don’t rub your skin when you towel dry your body. You also may want to look into hot springs therapy – many Japanese doctors believe that daily mineral soaks can relieve eczema symptoms. If you happen to live near a hot spring, go for a dip to see if it helps.

4. Aloe for Your Medicine Chest
The gel extracted from the inside of aloe (Aloe vera) leaves is a cost-effective, natural way to treat a variety of summer ailments: it can be used topically for the treatment of sunburn, first and second degree burns, skin irritations or inflammation, mosquito bites, and rashes from poisonous plants. Look for a whole, living plant at your local garden store, cut open the leaf and apply the gel generously as needed. Or, choose a lotion (look for those with a high percentage of aloe gel) or a gel product. Be aware that topical use can trigger rare allergic reactions and may delay surgical wound healing. Always contact trained medical personnel for burns with significant blistering.

5. Cracked Skin Making You Cranky?
If dry skin is getting to you, try finding natural relief in calendula – from petals of the ornamental “pot marigold” flower. Available in tinctures, oil, lotions and creams, look for products with at least 10 percent extract of Calendula officinalis. A gentle, effective remedy is to wash the skin with a diluted solution of tincture. You can also apply ready-to-use calendula skin products or oil directly on irritated areas. Calendula can safely be used for skin irritations, rashes (including diaper rash), eczema, acne and minor burns.

6. Eating 101: Preventing Acne
Acne is a common problem among teenagers as well as adults. Heredity, stress and hormones all influence the appearance of inflamed hair follicles, which result in breakouts. While cleansing the face with a mild glycerin soap and applying topical treatments such as tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide can help, making dietary changes can also be helpful.

• Increase your consumption of antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits and vegetables.
• Include omega-3 fatty acids like Wild Alaskan salmon or freshly ground flaxseeds to help reduce and prevent inflammation.
• Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. Limit processed and refined foods, and opt for whole, healthful foods instead.

And, don’t be afraid to eat a piece of dark chocolate now and then – there is no link between chocolate and acne, and dark chocolate actually has antioxidant benefits!

7. Coping with Corns
Corns – usually caused by pressure or friction from shoes that are too tight or too loose – can be painful and unsightly. Medically, corns are known as hyperkeratoses of the skin – thickening and hardening of the surface layer with a deep-seated core or nucleation. They can make walking or standing miserably uncomfortable. The first step is to find and wear shoes that fit properly and comfortably. Making sure they are appropriate for your daily activities, and that they do not slip or bind when you walk, will help to prevent corns from forming. If you already have corns, consider the following suggestions:

• Use a pumice stone to reduce the thickness of a corn. Soak your feet first so the corn is soft when you rub it.
• Use moleskin or other non-medicated pads to reduce the pressure and pain.
• Avoid socks or stockings that bind your feet too tightly.
• Limit you use of high-heeled shoes – they increase pressure on the forefoot where corns develop.
• Consider an over-the-counter corn removal solution – they do contain acid so be careful, and never use them if you’re diabetic or have any problem with diminished circulation in the feet.

See a podiatrist or other health care professional who treats foot problems if the remedies suggested above don’t help. Medical treatment usually involves paring or shaving the corn and its core. This will relieve the pain, but the corn will come back if you continue wearing the wrong shoes.

8. Reducing Odor-Causing Bacteria
The bacterial breakdown of sweat is what causes most body odor. Perspiration itself is normally odorless. If you want to reduce body odor naturally, consider the following:

• An easy solution to reducing bacteria is to splash on rubbing alcohol.
• Most commercial deodorant products contain irritating or harmful ingredients, including aluminum salts and dyes. Avoid the antiperspirant varieties. You can find better products in health-food stores, such as those containing extracts of green tea, which is antibacterial.
• If you buy “natural crystals,” make sure they do not contain aluminum in any form.
• Stimulant drugs, including coffee and tea, contribute to body odor by increasing the activity of apocrine sweat glands, special glands in hairy parts of the body that produce strong-smelling, musky secretions. Try eliminating caffeine if body odor continues to be a problem.

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What are the symptoms of acne?
Acne is characterized by skin lesions commonly known as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and/or zits. Lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back chest and shoulders, but can appear anywhere on the skin. Most forms are more of an annoyance than a calamity, but rare forms such as cystic acne, characterized by large, painful lesions, can be quite painful and lead to disfigurement or scarring if not treated properly. All forms of acne are more common in adolescence and in males.

What are the causes of acne?
The principal cause of teenage acne is the hormonal upheavals that occur during adolescence, which can lead to over activity of oil glands in the dermal layer of the skin. The tendency to develop acne has a strong genetic component; parents who had or have acne tend to have children who develop the condition. Contrary to popular belief, such foods as chocolate and soda, or such popular teen foods as pizza and French fries, haven’t been linked to acne. However, at least one study suggests that dairy products, particularly skim milk, may play a role in acne outbreaks.

The study, reported in the February 2005 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, analyzed responses from more than 47,000 women participating in the national Nurses Health Study II. Researchers from Harvard asked the women about their consumption of dairy food when they were teens, particularly about the type of milk they drank, and whether they had experienced severe teenage acne. The women who drank more than three servings of any type of milk per day were 22 percent more likely to report having had severe acne than those who drank only one (or less) servings per week. Those who consumed two or more glasses of skim milk daily were 44 percent more likely to say that they had been diagnosed with severe acne as teenagers.

Other dairy foods that were associated with acne in this study include instant breakfast drinks, sherbet, cream cheese and cottage cheese. However, the researchers did not find as strong a link between whole or low-fat milk and acne.

These findings are not likely to be the last word on the subject. More studies will be needed to confirm the association between some dairy products, particularly skim milk, and acne. I’ve long advised parents to keep children off cow’s milk and other dairy products at an early age, especially if the family history includes allergies, asthma, bronchitis, sinus conditions, or autoimmunity. I also think that individuals with those conditions should eliminate dairy from their diets. The milk protein casein can irritate the immune system and thicken mucus secretions.

Some drugs, including steroids, lithium, and barbiturates, have been shown to cause acne. Some greasy cosmetics may clog the follicles and make the cells stick together. Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin can also contribute to acne.

What are the conventional acne treatments?
The most common conventional skin care recommendation, which I endorse, is cleaning the skin regularly with soap and water as well as with the special acne formulas containing benzoyl peroxide. This is an excellent cleansing agent and the active ingredient of many lotions and creams, both over-the-counter and prescription varieties.

If the case is particularly severe, highly effective drugs, derivatives of vitamin A, are available for acne treatments, and in my view their use is sometimes warranted. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a topical preparation, while isoretinoin (Accutane) is for internal use. These drugs are safe when used under the supervision of a dermatologist but should not be used casually because they can be irritating and toxic. Women taking Accutane must be careful not to become pregnant, since the drug can cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy.

What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for acne and skin care?

• Don’t squeeze pimples – it can lead to scarring.
• Wash regularly with a mild glycerin soap. Don’t scrub your face, just wash gently and pat dry; scrubbing will only make matters worse.
• As a natural alternative to topical application of benzoyl peroxide, use calendula, commonly known as pot marigold. (It is not a true marigold.) Calendula is a popular ornamental plant that you can buy for your garden at most nurseries in the spring. Its bright orange flowers can be made into tinctures, lotions and creams. Try washing your skin with tea made from the flowers, or buy ready-to-use calendula skin products at health-food stores.
• You may also try washing with a five percent tea tree oil gel, also available at health food stores.
• Try consulting a Chinese medicine practitioner; Chinese herbal treatments, both topical and oral, can be very effective when used as acne treatments. One such treatment is astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous) from the root of a Chinese plant that can help fight chronic infections. The dose is two capsules or tablets twice a day unless the product label directs otherwise.
• Increase your consumption of antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits and vegetables.
• Include omega-3 fatty acids such as wild Alaskan salmon or freshly ground flaxseeds to help reduce and prevent inflammation.
• Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated and healthy.
• Limit processed and refined foods, and opt for whole, healthful foods instead.
• Don’t be afraid to eat a piece of dark chocolate now and then – there is no link between chocolate and acne, and dark chocolate actually has antioxidant benefits!

Read more about acne treatments and effective skin care by viewing Dr. Weil’s dermatology articles.

The post Acne appeared first on DrWeil.com.