This is not a medical site. Information on this page is provided on a
"best efforts" basis for interest only and does not constitute
personal advice.
It is essential that you discuss medical matters with your doctor.
Please read the site terms of use.
|
Acne - those horrid pimples, zits, blackheads and
spots. We all get them, usually during our
teens but in some cases later in life. Acne is unpleasant both for us and for those
around us.
If you're a teenager then to be honest nothing is likely to totally cure your acne
other than time. However there might be ways that you can help to alleviate
the symptoms. The first thing to do is, of course, to visit your doctor.
What Is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition associated with trapped oil and bacteria. There's no single
"cause" of acne, all sorts of things such as hormones and stress can contribute. Acne can
occur at any time of life, even as an adult, but is especially common in teenagers.
There's some doubt as to the connection between fatty foods and acne, however many people have
claimed that they can aggravate the condition.
Acne Treatments and Remedies
If you have serious acne then the first thing you should do is see your doctor for advice.
There are a number of powerful "over the counter" medicines available to buy from the pharmacist
that can often help to reduce symptoms. Your doctor can prescribe even more powerful
and more effective products.
In terms of DIY home treatment for acne, diet is usually considered the best first step.
It's unlikely to be a solution on its own but might help to reduce the severity of your
symptoms.
The usual advice is all stuff you've heard before, but it's worth repeating:
Avoid fatty and greasy foods along with processed food and refined sugars. Eat
more natural whole foods including fresh fruit and veg. Even if bad diet isn't the cause of
your acne - and there are numerous possible causes - some people believe it can make the symptoms worse.
Drinking water is particularly important, not just for acne treatment but for skin and
general health. Most nutritionists agree that you should
try to drink between six and eight glasses of water a day. That's pure water, nothing added.
Be aware that it is possible to drink too much water, so use common sense and take care. Water
poisoning (hyperhydration) can be a serious and dangerous condition.
Is Garlic a Natural Acne Cure?
No. Garlic won't cure the problem, it won't get rid of acne. The real question is whether or not it can help
to control and reduce the severity of the symptoms.
I'm not aware of any scientific reasearch into any possible link between garlic and acne
control, however
it has a long-standing reputation in folk medicine.
No-one claims it's a miracle acne cure - personally I'm middle-aged and eat loads of garlic
but still get the occasional bad spot. However many people do believe
it can help treat the symptoms. It is said to do this in two ways: internal and external.
As always, consult your doctor before attempting any home treatment.
First of all, garlic has powerful antibiotic properties (1)
and is a general blood
cleanser. Eating garlic might help your system
internally to clean itself out and hence reduce acne symptoms. Garlic's most powerful medicinal
compunds are released when it's
eaten raw and crushed. A little raw garlic can be sprinkled on top of a meal at the end of cooking,
added to a salad, included in a sandwich, etc. Be warned that the taste and the smell
of raw garlic is very stong.
The antibiotic and cleansing properties of garlic also give it a reputation in folk
medicine as
being an effective acne treatment when a little is applied gently externally. However although some people
seem to think it works, others have reported nothing other than skin burning and
reddening. So for safety I would not use garlic on the skin.
Note: Raw garlic is very powerful and can cause problems.
Some people are actively allergic to garlic. Do not use garlic
if you suspect you are allergic. Even if you don't have an allergy, use garlic with caution
and don't overdo it.
If you suffer from acne, seek the advice and treatment of a doctor, professional
dermatologist or nutritionist. Garlic certainly isn't a substitute for these.
However as part of a healthy diet it might be useful for some people in
the control of acne symptoms.
References:
(1): Garlic: A natural antibiotic (American Chemical Society)
Garlic Central is not a medical site. Information on this page is provided on a
"best efforts" basis for interest only and does not constitute
personal advice.
Always discuss medical matters with your doctor.
Please read the site terms of use.
| 
