Acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin marked by pimples, white heads and blackheads. The sebaceous glands, oil-secreting glands that lubricate and moisturize the skin are found in large numbers on the face, chest and back. When these glands are suffering the result is acne. The glands can suffer from an overload or shift in hormones often seen in adolescences. Hormonal overload can cause an obstruction or hardening of the glands preventing sebum from reaching the surface of the skin. The combination of the increased bacteria and obstruction of sebum causes inflammation, which we view as a pimple.

Often a newborn baby may have acne as well in response to a withdrawal from its mother’s hormones. Often these pimples will disappear within a few weeks. It’s best to leave these pimples alone and have them heal in their own time. Although if you are not breastfeeding, be aware of the difference between a rash, eczema and acne, as your baby may be reacting to the formula (see eczema). (Baby acne is what the owner of Baby Purity thought her daughter was originally suffering from as her daughter first broke out in small red bumps).

It’s important to realize that acne is not caused by poor hygiene. All the scrubbing and washing in the world will not stop the underlying condition. Although many cosmetic products can cause problems as they may be blocking the pores of the skin. Some of the potentially harmful or irritating substances are moisturizers that contain mineral oil or petroleum, artificial fragrances, plastics, formaldehyde, EDTA, nitrates, ammonia, artificial colours and ethanol.

When it comes to teenage acne, the occasional zit, although sometimes trying, is a normal factor of life. However dealing with frequent acne can be a very difficult and emotional time for your child. Try to educate your child, perhaps have them read this section so they understand how they can be a part of the treatment. Because of the emotional impact on your child and the possible side effects (scars) acne requires serious attention, depending on the severity. Please ensure you have received help from a Naturopathic Doctor and possibly the assistance of a dermatologist.


Conventional Treatment
If you decide on conventional treatment for your teenager they may be prescribed antibiotics, such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin, these can be taken topically or orally. Topical antibiotics are not as rough on your system, yet can still be absorbed by your bloodstream. If your doctor prescribes an oral antibiotic, ask why an oral prescription rather than topical is being prescribed. These treatments destroy healthy bacteria as well as bad bacteria and therefore may lead to stomach problems in the form of diarrhea, yeast infections or in severe cases, colitis. In order to help maintain a healthy flora in the gut your teenager should take Lactobacillus acidophilus or Saccharomyces boulardii, healthy types of yeast in supplement form.


Nutrition and Recommendations
There are three main factors in helping a child with acne: nutritious diet with fibre rich foods, exercise in which you break a sweat and a healthy flora gut. It is essential that our bodies are eliminating wastes and toxins.

If the child suffering from acne is a baby or toddler (baby acne) please refer to INFANT FEEDING, the first Tip of the Week provided by Baby Purity. Following this diet is a perfect start for a baby's healthy future.

The cleaner and simpler the diet the quicker the skin will heal. As parents we probably notice pimples appear when we haven’t been eating a good diet or we are suffering from constipation. In Chinese medical philosophy acne is believed to be tied to inefficient and incomplete digestion, which results in toxic metabolites that show up on the skin. Drinking plenty of water daily will help aid in the flushing of toxins. Eliminate foods containing additives and preservatives. These chemicals contribute to the amount of toxins in your body. Avoid alcohol, fried foods, chocolate and refined sugar (yes everything that may taste delicious!)

Try to eliminate for one or two months animal fats and hydrogenated oils. This includes margarine, dairy, fatty red meats and all fried foods – this alone could result in large improvements.

Ensure your child has three nutritious meals a day to eliminate the craving for unhealthy snacks.

If making these changes seems like a difficult task, try committing to this for one month. Who knows starting one month at a time, may result in new life long habits for the family.

Key Nutrients
Some key vitamins and minerals are outlined below. These nutrients may be taken as supplements, although it is always recommended to get as much as possible from food.

Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids
Helps to clear acne by strengthening connective tissue and bioflavonoids acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
250milligrams of each 3 times a day (btwn meals) for one month

Calcium and Magnesium
Helpful for children who are nervous and crave sugar. This supplement relaxes a stressed nervous system and often decreases the desire for sugar.
350 to 500 milligrams of calcium and 175 to 250 milligrams of magnesium 2 daily

Chromium
Helps balance blood sugar and decreases sugar cravings, which often occurs between meals.
100micrograms of chromium picolinate 2 daily for one month
Then reduce to 100 micrograms once daily for one month


Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Important for restoring friendly bacteria in the intestine. A healthy intestinal tract leads to regular bowel movements and regular detoxification of the body.
A teenager should follow instructions on label for this supplement.

Saccharomyces boulardii
Helps to suppress the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria that can result from antibiotic use.
Follow label instructions for dose.

Zinc
Essential for the normal growth and development of the reproductive system. Also healing to the skin and mucous membranes.
Teenager could take 25milligrams of zinc chelate or zinc picolinate twice daily at the beginning of each meal for two weeks then once daily for two months.

NOTE: Excessive amounts of zinc and Vitamin C can lead to nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage.

Asthma is an inflammatory respiratory illness characterized by shortness of breath, cough and wheezing. It is actually more difficult for the child to breath out, then breath in. The airways are constricted and swollen with an increase in mucus, which plugs up the smaller passages. Generally a child who has asthma will have a chronic underlying condition with acute episodes of respiratory attack. When a child experiences an attack they will cough, wheeze, have an increased heart rate, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. There is often a family history of asthma, hay fever and eczema.

A child may exhibit early signs before an attack comes on such as a difference in breathing pattern, nervousness, runny nose, an itchy throat, fatigue and paleness. Watch your child carefully in order that you treat her quickly if you notice any of these signs.

Although the exact cause of asthma is not yet known many factors seem to influence the onset of asthma:

• Allergies to: dust, pollen, mold and many foods.
  
• Irritants: Airborne substances such smoke, chemicals, perfumes, cleaning products, cold air and saw dust can irritate the airways.
  
• Emotional Factors: Stressful situations, anxiety, nervousness, insecurity or fear.
  
• Digestive Disturbances:
  Maldigestion and overeating may lead to an asthma attack by irritating the nervous tissue in the stomach. Other factors may include an imbalance in digestive micro flora, hydrochloric acid, or poor elimination of waste leading to an increase in toxins in the body and overgrowth of fungus in the bowel.

Conventional Treatment
Steroids are currently the conventional treatment of choice, which work by decreasing swelling and inflammation of the airways. They are taken orally or inhaled. All steroids have the potential to cause significant side effects please talk this over with your doctor.

Leukotriene inhibitors are a relatively new class of anti-inflammatory drug that may be prescribed for asthma. They are used more for chronic asthma. Possible side effects include abdominal pain, allergic reactions, dizziness, fatigue, fever, and flu like symptoms, weakness, rash and headaches.


Nutrition and Recommendations
Avoid giving your child dairy foods, which tend to increase mucus.

Eat a healthy diet of whole foods, lean proteins, vegetable, grains and fruits. Avoid excessive saturated fats and animal fats.

Eat plenty of brightly colored foods, which help in inhibiting allergic reactions and have anti-inflammatory properties. These are foods such as winter squashes, blueberries, raspberries, purple grapes and peppers.

Beware of whole-wheat products, nuts, citrus fruits, seafood and food containing additives or preservatives. Tartrazine and sulfites are two common additives that are particularly prone to causing asthma attacks. Vitamin B12 may help to blunt a reaction to sulfites.

Encourage your child, once she is stable, to drink plenty of water following an asthma attack. This helps to thin secretions so they are easily coughed out.

Regular exercise improves lung function. Swimming is particularly good because of the humidity, helping the air passages from drying out. If swimming in chlorine, watch for high levels of chlorine, which may trigger an allergic response.

Do not let pets sleep on your child’s bed.

Purifying your home’s air using a hepa filter and air ionizer.

Key Nutrients
Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to some types of asthmatic conditions. Given in oral or injectable form this vitamin may help to prevent an asthma attack. Please speak to a naturopath further about this.

Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects and if taken before exercise may help prevent the onset of an attack. One dose four times a day.

Magnesium has a bronchodialating effect resulting in a smooth muscle relaxation, improving asthmatic breathing. Try one dose twice a day. If loose stool develops, reduce the dosage.

Essential fatty acids help to regulate the inflammatory response. Good sources of this are gamma-linolenic, primose oil or eicosapentaenoic acid.
One to three times a day for two to three months.