SYPHILIS AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

                                                                          SYPHILIS

                Syphilis is a STD (sexually transmitted disease) caused by a spirochaete called TREPONEMA PALLIDUM.

                Treponema palladium is a slender, spiral-shaped, thread like, actively motile organism measuring 6-14 in length. It is identified under the microscope by a special technique known as a dark ground illumination.

EPIDIMIOLOGY:-

                The disease is widely prevalent especially in large cities, industrial areas and sea ports. The northern parts of India especially Kashmir, himachal Pradesh and uttar Pradesh are heavily infected. It has been estimated that nearly 5 percent of the population in India is infected with syphilis. The infection rate varies from 4 to 7.5 percent to a maximum of 13 percent in different parts of the country.

The disease may be either congenital or acquired.

CONGENITAL SYPHILIS:-

                Syphilis transmitted to the foetus during intrauterine life is called congenital syphilis. During the early months of pregnancy, syphilis may cause still birth. If the child is born full term, certain stigmata of the disease are either present at birth or develop subsequently during early childhood.

                Stigmata during 1-2 years of age.

1.       The child may be born premature or fails to gain weight afterwards.

2.       A scaly yellow or copper coloured rash may be present over the napkin area or around the genitals. Such rashes may sometimes be present over the palms and soles.

3.       Syphilitic rhinitis (snuffles) develops within a month or two and is persistant. This ultimately leads to failure of development of the nasal bones producing the typical depression of the bridge of the nose (saddle shaped nose).

4.       Cracks and fissures (rhagades) appear at the angles of the mouth. These heal leaving behind prominent scars radiating from the angles of the mouth.

5.       Condylomata may appear over the perineum or under the arms.

6.       Spleen and liver may be a palpable.

7.       Syphilitic basal meningitis may occur producing hydrocephalus.

STIGMATA APPEARING LATER IN CHILDHOOD:-

1.       Bony changes – periostitis with bowing produces the typical sabre shaped tibia. Localized elevations over the frontal and parietal bones produce frontal and parietal bossing (also known as parrot’s nodes or hot cross bun appearance).

2.       Hutchinson’s teeth – the teeth are widely separated. The permanent upper central incisors are peg-shaped, tapering from the gum margins with notches present over the cutting edge.

3.       Eye changes – interstitial keartitis may occur and cause blindness.

4.        Otitis media or gummatous destruction of the internal ears may occur resulting in deafness.

5.       Nervous lesions – juvenile tabes dorsalis and general paralysis of the insane are possible but extremely rare. Mental deficiency or dementia may occur but is rare.

6.       Cardiovascular lesions – syphilitic aortitis and aortic incompetence are rare manifestations of congenital syphilis.

7.       Joints – painless effusion may occur inside the bigger joints.

ACQUIRED SYPHILIS:-

                 The infection is almost always acquired through sexual intercourse. Rarely, the infection may be acquired by handling infected material or implanted during kissing by an infected person.

                The incubation period varies from 10 days to 3 months. The disease occurs in all age groups but is more common in adults. It passes through three well defined stages primary, secondary and tertiary.

PATHOLOGY:-

                Syphilis is a notorious disease in the sense that it can affect almost any organ in the body and that the lesions, though apparently looking healed, are essentially chronic and slowly progressive. Syphilis is a chronic granuloma infiltration of round cells occurs around a central zone of necrosis. The arteries are particularly affected causing endarteritis obliterans and possibly thrombosis.

                The primary lesion, known as primary sore or chancre is a hard, indurated, exudative and painless lesion. The organism is present in the exudates. A chancre heals in 6-8 weeks but always leaves behind extensive scar. A chancre occurs usually on the genitalia but may occur on the lips, fingers or elsewhere. Treponemes thereafter, pass to the regional lymph nodes and then invade the blood stream.

                During the secondary stage, the infection is generalized. Lymph nodes, especially the posterior cervical group, axillary and the epitrochlear glands are enlarged. Various types of rashes appear due to chronic inflammatory reaction around the cutaneous blood vessels.

                The tertiary stage is marked by formation of gummas. Gumma is a chronic granuloma which is comparatively avascular due to endarteritis obliterans affecting the small blood vessels. A gumma heals by extensive scarring and destroys part of the organ at the site of its formation.

SYMPTOMS:-

1.       PRIMARY STAGE:-

There is history of sexual contact, after a period varying from 3 weeks to 3 months, a red small indurated lesion forms on the penis or the labia. In the following 2 – 3 weeks, the lesion becomes harder and more indurated. This is the primary chancre. The regional lymph nodes are enlarged. The primary chancre heals in about 2 months time leaving behind a scar.

2.       SECONDARY STAGE:-

The secondary stage usually starts 4 weeks after the appearance of the primary chancre and lasts up to 2 years. This is the stage during which the infection becomes generalized.

a.       Generalized, painless enlargement of the lymph nodes, especially the posterior cervical, axillary and the epitrochlear glands.

b.      Various types of papular or maculopapular rashes appear over the trunk and the limbs. The rashes are symmetrical in distribution, brownish in colour and with no itching.

c.       Warty lesions called Condylomata may occur over the moist surfaces of the body around the anus, vulva or the under surface of the breasts.

d.      Typical lesions may be seen over the mucous membrane of the buccal cavity. Linear streaks or furrows, grayish white in colour may be present over the fauces or the soft palate. The tongue is swollen, red and often fissured.

e.      Hairs may fall out resulting in either generalized or localized alopecia.

f.        Features of syphilitic meningitis or Meningo vascular syphilis may be present, later often causing cerebral thrombosis.

3.      TERTIARY STAGE:-

Tertiary stage appears 2-15 years after the primary infection. The typical lesion during this stage is a hard, localized swelling known as gumma. Gumma can form simultaneously at various sites and causes localized destruction of the affected organs.

a.       Skin gumma may form over the legs or elsewhere over the skin surface producing deep sated punched out ulcers. Painless perforating ulcers may develop in the soles.

b.      Bones – syphilitic involvement of the bones is the nature of a chronic inflammation. Long bones are more commonly affected. A deep boring pain occurs which is worst at night. Gumma may form over the bones of the face and the nose leading to their destruction and disfigurement.

c.       Internal organs - gumma may form inside any of the internal organs such as the liver, testes, lungs, heart, tongue, pituitary or adrenal glands. In the heart formation of gumma may be responsible for conduction defects or localized degeneration of the myocardium. Chronic inflammatory changes may affect the aortic valve.

d.      Neurological changes – these include basal meningitis and menigovascular syphilis, general paralysis of insane and formation of a gumma inside the brain that behaves like a cerebral tumour.

INVESTIGATIONS:-

1.       During primary or secondary stage, Treponemes can usually be isolated from the exudates and identified by dark ground illumination.

2.       Wassermann reaction and khan tests.

3.       The venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL) – it is a flocculation test that detects a non-specific antibody like reacting substance present in the serum of syphilitic persons. Though the test is non-specific, it is still an easy, cheap and fairly reliable test for syphilis.

4.       Tests using specific treponemal antigens.

DIAGNOSIS:

        The diagnosis is based on

-          History of an irregular sexual contact.

-          Typical clinical features or symptoms and

-          Positive Wassermann reaction and VDRL test.

-          During the primary stage, a chancre may be confused with a chancroid. During the secondary stage, syphilitic skin rashes may be confused with several skin disorders. During the tertiary stage, A gumma may be confused with a carcinomatous lesion.

TREATMENT:-

-          Treatment should be started as early as possible, even without waiting for the Wassermann test to become positive.

-          Pencillin is still the best drug for syphilis.

-          Pencillin twice a day for 8-10 days should be given unless the patient is sensitive to pencillin.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

              Some of the main remedies for syphilis in homeopathy are given below.

1.       ARSENICUM IODUM.

2.       AURUM METALICUM.

3.       AURUM MURATICUM.

4.       KALI IODUM.

5.       KALI SULPH.

6.       LAUROCERASUS.

7.       MERC SOUL.

8.       MERC COR.

9.       NITRIC ACID.

10.   PHYTOLACCA.

11.   SILICEA.

12.   STILLINGIA SYLVATICA.

13.   SYPHILINUM.

14.   FLOURIC ACID.

15.   GRAPHITIS.

16.   LYCOPODIUM.

17.   STAPHYSAGRIA.

18.   SULPHUR.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HAIR LOSS AND BALDNESS

Hair loss can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone — men, women and children — can experience hair loss.

Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness. Some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the treatments available to prevent further hair loss and to restore growth.

Causes--Most people normally shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. This usually doesn't cause noticeable thinning of scalp hair because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

The exact cause of hair loss may not be fully understood, but it's usually related to one or more of the following factors:

·         Family history (heredity)

·         Hormonal changes

·         Medical conditions

·         Medications

Family history (heredity)

The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women.

Heredity also affects the age at which you begin to lose hair, the rate of hair loss and the extent of baldness. Pattern baldness is most common in men and can begin as early as puberty. This type of hair loss may involve both hair thinning and miniaturization (hair becomes soft, fine and short).

Hormonal changes and medical conditions

A variety of conditions can cause hair loss, including:

Hormonal changes. Hormonal changes and imbalances can cause temporary hair loss. This could be due to pregnancy, childbirth or the onset of menopause. Hormone levels are also affected by the thyroid gland, so thyroid problems may cause hair loss.

Patchy hair loss. This type of nonscarring hair loss is called alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh). It occurs when the body's immune system attacks hair follicles — causing sudden hair loss that leaves smooth, roundish bald patches on the skin.

Scalp infections. Infections, such as ringworm, can invade the hair and skin of your scalp, leading to scaly patches and hair loss. Once infections are treated, hair generally grows back.

Other skin disorders. Diseases that cause scarring alopecia may result in permanent loss at the scarred areas. These conditions include lichen planus, some types of lupus and sarcoidosis.

Hair-pulling disorder. This condition, also called trichotillomania , causes people to have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, whether it's from the scalp, the eyebrows or other areas of the body.

Medications

Hair loss can be caused by drugs used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure and birth control. Intake of too much vitamin A may cause hair loss as well.

Other causes of hair loss

Hair loss can also result from:

Radiation therapy to the head. The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.

A trigger event. Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary. Examples of trigger events include sudden or excessive weight loss, a high fever, surgery, or a death in the family.

Certain hairstyles and treatments. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause traction alopecia. Hot oil hair treatments and permanents can cause inflammation of hair follicles that leads to hair loss. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent.

Symptoms-Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on what's causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, and others are permanent.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:

Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M. Women typically retain the hairline on the forehead but have a broadening of the part in their hair.

Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people experience smooth, coin-sized bald spots. This type of hair loss usually affects just the scalp, but it sometimes also occurs in beards or eyebrows. In some cases, your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.

Sudden loosening of hair. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning and not bald patches.

Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.

Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp. This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.

Risk factors--A number of factors can increase your risk of hair loss, including:

·         Family history

·         Age

·         Poor nutrition

·         Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and lupus

·         Stress

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies are very effective for baldness and that can promote hair growth. Some of the main remedies are given below.

BARYTA CARBONICA 30-Baldness in young people.  The patients requiring this medicine are very timid and dull in nature and have very poor memory. The patients of baldness who have a history of throat complaints like tonsilitis (from suppression of foot sweat or from exposure to cold air) can be given this medicine.

FLUORIC ACID 30- Baldness of old age or prematurely aged due to syphilis . Falling of hair in patches

SULPHUR 200- Sulphur is  another remedy  that can be prescribed to those patients suffering from baldness who are extremely hot blooded and complain of excessive heat in body especially in the head, palms and soles. Another symptom that guides towards the use of sulphur in baldness cases is that the patient requiring this medicine have an aversion to bathing and are generally filthy – thus inviting plenty of long standing skin diseases. The patients requiring Sulphur show extra craving for sweets in food.

LYOPODIUM CLAVATUM 200-Lycopodium clavatum, is also an excellent medicine used to treat baldness cases occurring prematurely and can be given to those patients who complain of some sort of gastric trouble like flatulence, constipation or liver problems along with baldness. The patients requiring Lycopodiumclavatum usually crave hot drinks, hot food and sweet things

MANCINELLA 200- Baldness after severe acute diseases  or at the scar of healed wound

SILICEA 200-Silicea, is mainly given to those patients who suffer from baldness and complain of pain in head usually at the right side along with hair loss. The patients requiring this medicine are very sensitive to cold air and usually have very offensive sweat on the feet. Mentally the patients requiring this medicine are very headstrong and obstinate in nature

PSORINUM 200-Psorinum is highly useful in treating the hair loss that has occurred due to eczematous skin lesions on scalp that discharge sticky and very offensive fluid. These kinds of discharges make the hair to stick together, which further leads to the hair getting tangled and ultimately destroyed. The patient requiring Psorinum feels excessive chill and desires to be warmly covered even in summers

NITIC ACID 30- Falling of pubic hair due to syphilis or gonorrhoea

MEZEREUM 30- Mezereum, is equally good for treating hair loss in cases where the hair is destroyed due to eczematous skin lesions of scalp. The patients requiring Mezereum will complain of thick crusty eruptions on scalp, along with a discharge of thick offensive pus resulting in matting of hair, breeding of vermin in them and eventually the eating away of the hair by discharges leading to hair loss. 

MERCURIOUS SOL 30-Mercurius Solubilis is yet another homeopathic medicine which plays a wonderful role in treating the hair loss due to eruptions on scalp where the discharge from eruptions is fetid and accompanied by burning type of pains in scalp. This medicine can be employed in those patients in whom profuse perspiration is present along with excessive salivation from mouth and an increased thirst for water.

SELENIUM MET 30- Falling of pubic hair

THUJA OCCI 200- Falling of hair due to dandruff. Here  the dandruff is white in color

KALI SULPHURICUM 30- It is also used for falling of hair due to dandruff. But here the dandruff is yellow in colour

KALI CARB 30- Falling of hair due to dryness of scalp and dandruff

NATRUM MURIATICUM 200-Hair loss after child birth.Natrummuriaticum can be given to those women who suffer from anemia and hair loss on even a slight touch of the hair, along with severe headache after the delivery of a child. The women requiring this medicine complain that the headache is worse in the heat of sun. The patient may show an inordinate craving for salty things..

PHOSPHORIC ACID 30-Phosphoric acid is prescribed when falling of hair occurs after an exhausting disease . Hair falls out from head, eye brows , eyelashes etc.

PULSATILLA NIG. 30-Pulsatilla can be used by those women who suffer from excessive hair fall after delivery. The guiding factor for recommending this medicine is a complete absence of thirst for water and desire for fresh open air. The mental symptoms that are to be considered for its use are weeping tendencies on the slightest cause, and relief when someone gives consolation. Another marked symptom that guides its use in women suffering from hair loss is that such women cannot digest fatty foods

SEPIA 200-Hair loss in the menopausal period.. The women requiring this medicine for hair fall have a history of long standing headaches. The women complaining of hot flushes followed by chills and perspiration and bearing down pains in the uterus at menopause along with hair loss can be given this medicine. The mental symptoms that significantly indicate the usage of this medicine by women suffering from hair loss at menopause are irritability of the utmost degree and indifferent behavior towards family members.

BORAX 30- Hair loss in anemic patients.Borax can be given to those patients who complain of hair loss and are anemic. A frequent complain in such cases is that the hair is very thin and gets stuck together and form bunches, thereby making it difficult for them to be untangled and combed smooth  and they are to be cut off. But as soon as these bunches are cut another group of bunches form.

CINCHONA OFF.30-off.Cinchona officinalis can be given to those patients in whom hair loss is accompanied with anemia. People who suffer from hair loss due to Loss of blood in any form like bleeding from nose or excessive bleeding during menstruation or loss of blood after an injury due to accident leading to anemia can be given this medicine. The patients requiring this medicine usually complain of a weak digestion along with excessive flatulence. 

CALCAREA PHOS 30--Clacareaphosphorica is a useful  medicine that can be used to treat hair loss in anemic patients – usually in anemic girls who grow too rapidly at puberty and suffer from hair loss and extreme headache along with acidity in stomach.

FERRUM PHOS 30- Hair falls from the head due to anemia

FLUORICUM ACIDUM 30-Fluoricumacidum is mainly used for hair loss in spots in a person of hot temperament, who is worse in any warm environment and constantly desires cold environment . Hair loss in bunches occurring during typhoid fever can be treated with this medicine.

PHOSPHORUS 30-Hair loss during typhoid fever.The symptoms that guides towards its usage are patches of hair loss on scalp along with unusual craving for salty things, chicken, cold drinks and ice creams. The patients requiring Phosphorus are tall, thin and slender in physical appearance.

CALCAREA CARBONICA 30- Calcreacarbonica is a great homeopathic remedy for hair loss .It can be prescribed to patients in whom the hair is lost in well defined patches, and constitutionally who are fair, fat and flabby in built. The other symptoms that stand out dominant to use this medicine are excessive chilliness with intolerance to slight draft of air, excessive perspiration on the scalp and unusual craving for boiled eggs.

VINCA MINOR 30-Vinca minor can be used for the hair loss in spots whereby the white coloured hair grows back in the spots of hair loss.

PIX LIQUIDA 30- Baldness due to diseases of the scalp. Scalp itches intolerably and bleeds on scratching

SANICULA AQUA  200- Baldness which is chronic due to dandruffs and lots of itching

THALLIUM 30-Thallium is effective for falling of hair after an acute , exhausting disease . It is prescribed when alopecia with profuse perspiration on the head is present. It is also useful loss of hair as an after effect of an atom bomb explosion.

WEISBADEN 200- By the use of this remedy the hair will grow more rapidly than usual and becomes darker . New hair take place of the fallen hair rapidly

ACUTE PANCREATITIS AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

                                                            ACUTE PANCREATITIS

DEFINITION:-

              Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the pancreas caused by auto digestion of the pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes.

AETIOLOGY:-

-          Alcoholic bout, fatty foods or trauma incurred during surgical operation may initiate inflammatory process.

-          Any obstruction at sphincter of oddi due to imp action of a gall stone.

-          Obesity, hyperparathyroidism and heredity are also known predisposing factors.

-          Its more common in middle aged fatty ladies.

-          A virus of mumps or infective hepatitis or some blood borne infection.

PATHOLOGY BEHIND PANCREATITIS:-

              There is necrosis of the pancreatic tissue. The pancreas along with areas of the peritoneum show varying grades of oedema and leucocytic infiltration (oedematous pancreatitis).in more severe cases there is collection of a hemorrhagic exudates. There is exudation of hemorrhagic often bile stains fluid into the lesser sac of peritoneum, over the peritoneum itself, or over the mesentry.fatty necrosis also occurs and produces whitish patches(due to the action of pancreatic lipase)spread all over the pancreas, peritoneum and mesentry.suppurative changes are rare. Absorption of the products of tissue digestion may cause severe toxaemia and features of shock.

SYMPTOMS:-

The main symptoms are

-          Abdominal pain.

-          Vomiting.

-          Shock.

-          Patient is seized with severe agonizing pain across the epigastrium radiating to the back.

-          Patient is restless and rolls in bed.

-          Cold, clammy skin, rapid or thread pulse.

-          Hypo-tension and low grade fever.

EXAMINATION:-

         Tenderness and rigidity may be felt in the upper part of abdomen due to peritoneal irritation. A patch of bluish discolouration of the skin around the umbilicus (Cullen’s sign) or in the loin (grey-turner’s sign) may sometimes be noticeable.

INVESTIGATIONS:-

-          Serum amylase > 100 W.units.

-          Leucocytosis – polymorpho nuclear leucocytosis.

-          Plain X-ray – gas in abdomen.

-          Ultra sonography, CT-scan shows (swollen pancreas, gall stones, may be).

COMPLICATIONS:-

-          Pancreatic abscess, pancreatic ascites.

-          Jaundice.

-          Gastro intestinal hemorrhage, paralytic ileus.

-          Peripheral circulatory failure, hyperglycemia, hypocalcaemia.

-          Portal vein thrombosis.

-          Acute renal failure.

ALLOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

-          Pethidine hydrochloride (100 mg intra muscular) is ideal for immediate relief in pain and may repeat.

-          Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance should be corrected by appropriate intra venous transfusions.

-          Atropine sulphate (1 mg intra-muscularly) to decrease pancreatic secretion.

-          A continues suction of gastric contents is done through nasal tube to relives distension and prevent vomiting.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

ARSENIC ALBUM:-

             A profoundly  acting remedy on liver, pancreas. Burning pains, its chilly patient, thirstless, restless, fear of incurable disease. Nausea, retching, vomiting, after eating or drinking. Craves milk, liver, spleen, pancreas enlarged and painfull.fatty degeneration, cyanosis.

BELLADONNA:-

            Heat, redness, throbbing  and burning pains, no thirst, anxiety or fear, suddenness of attacks and onset. Sensitive to least contact, strawberry tongue, swollen tongue and painful, extreme sensitive to bed clothes and touch, distension of abdomen, low grade fever, restless, chilly patient.

CONIUM:-

        It’s a wonderful medicine for any glandular affections, weakness of body, mind, trembling and pailpitation.severe aching in and around of liver region, great debility. Knife like pain in whole abdomen, distension of abdomen, chilly patient, thirst less.

IODUM PURUM:-

       Hungry with much thirsty, better after eating, pain in empty stomach, great debility even slight work leads sweating, desires cold air, inflammation of pancreas. Chronic congestive headache in old age person, cutting pain in abdomen, pancreatic disease, pain in bones at night.

IRIS VERSICOLOR:-

       Burning of whole elementary canal, good remedy for any pancreatic problem, vomiting, sour billary and blood. Nausea, profuse flow of saliva, deficient appetite. Periodical night diarrhea, with pain and greenish discharge. Shifting pain is main in iris.

PHOSPHOROUS:-

      Clairvoyance, fearfulness, fear of dark, fear of thunderstorm, vomiting, water is thrown up as soon as it gets warm in the stomach.post operative vomiting, pain in stomach reduced after cold water, Ice, ice creams. Burning pain in stomach, large yellow spots on abdomen, pancreatic disease. lascivious dreams.

SPONGIA TOSTA:-

     Anxiety and fear, bursting type of headache, tongue is dry and brown, full of vesicles, cant bear tight cloths around abdomen, excessive thirst, great hunger, awakes  in a fright, and feels as if suffocating.

Some of other drugs in homeopathy for acute pancreatitis are atropinum purum sulphuricum, baryta muraticum, kali iodum, and mercurious solliblis.

ACNE VULGARIS AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

                                                                ACNE VULGARIS

DEFINITION:-

                Acne vulgaris or pimple is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous apparatus. It occurs in the areas where sebaceous glands are large and numerous such as the face, chest, back and the shoulders. Face is by far, the commonest site.

AETIOLOGY OR CAUSES:-

-          It occurs mostly in young adolescents of either sex during puberty.

-          It is said to be due to an imbalance between the male and female sex hormones that is likely to occur at this age.

-          Over sensitivity of the sebaceous apparatus to androgens leading to excessive secretion of sebum may be possible factor.

-          The disease is possibly familial or genetic.

-          Presence of septic focus.

-          Greasy skin.

-          Constipation.

-          Menstrual irregularities.

-          Continuous changing of soaps and creams.

PATHOLOGY BEHIND ACNE:-

                The basic pathology is that there is hyper secretion of sebum and blockage of the orifices of the sebaceous glands by unusual deposition of lipid and keratin. Keratin plugs that block the orifices of the ducts are called “comedones”. A comedone is blackish in colour (hence the popular name black head) due to subsequent oxidation of the keratin plug. Excessive secretion of sebum along with blocking of the ducts favour secondary growth of propionibacterium acnes which in turn, accentuates the inflammatory process. The caputure sebum subsequently escapes in the surrounding tissues and sets up a foreign body reaction leading to the formation of the papules. At this stage, the lesion may heal completely but more commonly, there is added secondary infection either streptococcus or staphylococcus. This further accentuates the process and leads to formation of pustules, nodules or cysts. Healing subsequently occurs but the area is left with pits, scars or even keloids. The disease is essentially a chronic and lingering condition. Activity continues with involvement of fresh areas whereas healing occurs in the old areas.

SYMPTOMS:-

-          The presence of papules with typical blackish spread heads (comedones).

-          The papules subsequently change into pustules with discharge of sebum.

-          Over lying skin is greasy ad dusky red in colour.

-          Pimples sometimes very painfull and leaves scar marks on body.

-          Acne mainly occurs in face, back, scalp and shoulders.

TREATMENT:-

-          The face should be regularly washed with soap and the area of skin should be kept nongreasy and dry.

-          Calamine lotion with 2% sulphur ointment.

-          Zinc sulphade lotion is also useful.

-          Food items such as chocolates, pastries, creams, butter and eggs should be avoided.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

1.       AURUM METALICUM.

2.       CALCAREA SILICATA.

3.       CARBO ANIMALIS.

4.       CAUSTICUM.

5.       HEPAR SULPH.

6.       KALI BROM.

7.       NUX VOMICA.

8.       SEPIA.

9.       SILICEA.

10.   ARSENICUM ALBUM.

11.   CONIUM.

12.   KREOSOTUM.

13.   LACHESIS.

14.   NATRUM MUR.

15.   NITRIC ACID.

16.   PHOSPHORIC ACID.

17.   PULSATILLA.

18.   SULPHUR.

19.   THUJA.