Acne and Rosacea Charity Training Manual
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
High humidity<br />
The comedone is formed in part by follicular hyper-cornification. The dead skin cells are a bit like dried<br />
leaves <strong>and</strong> with sweat retention against the skin, or high humidity, the cells can swell <strong>and</strong> lead to an<br />
acute blockage of the follicle <strong>and</strong> an intense inflammatory response. A major medical problem during<br />
the Vietnam War was fulminant, tropical acne. High humidity in Vietnam led to acute follicular<br />
occlusion in the young American GIs. Patients with acne should avoid saunas <strong>and</strong> steam rooms <strong>and</strong><br />
should be warned of the possibility of an exacerbation if they travel to the tropics.<br />
Stress<br />
Stress, whether physical or mental will stimulate the adrenal gl<strong>and</strong>, leading to production of<br />
adrenaline <strong>and</strong> steroids but also <strong>and</strong>rogens. This will lead to exacerbation of acne. This is frequently<br />
seen in students coming up to exams. Stress in the workplace has also been implicated in the<br />
development of acne in older women who have high powered stressful jobs.<br />
Unrecognized stress to the body may be responsible for exacerbation of acne in people who have a low<br />
level, non-clinical sensitivity to certain foods including gluten <strong>and</strong> lactose. It is not unusual for patients<br />
to report that when they go on a gluten or milk free diet their acne improves.<br />
Stress in modern life may also be responsible for the persistence of acne in older age groups.
Change language