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 Acne is another Nasty Bump from Recession
Here's another nasty bump from the economic meltdown: adult acne!
Stress is a leading cause of breakouts, and there's no shortage of that these days.
Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Cheryl Karcher is performing far fewer liposuctions or botox injections but is seeing more patients than ever.
"They're all insurance patients for eczema, acne and warts - they're all another hit from the immune system," she said.
Karcher explains that the nervous system and hormone systems work together.
"They are tightly intertwined and the nervous system is stimulated by stress. ... I am seeing more acne than you can believe," she said.
A traffic jam or a spat with a significant other can set off a rise in cortisol that causes a breakout, but there usually isn't a collective mass of people experiencing a high-anxiety event like there is right now with the recession.
Dr. Kathy Fields points to a widely circulated Stanford University study from 2002 that found students had more severe acne during exam periods than other times of the year.
"When your cortisol levels go up, that aggravates acne. Your cortisol levels go up more in one day than a caveman had in one year," said Fields, a co-founder with Rodan of the anti-acne formula Proactiv.
Still, it's easier to minimize acne if you get to it before it's fully developed, she said.
If you're not sleeping or if you find yourself picking at your skin even before a pimple appears, you might be helping to trigger a breakout. Instead, use an anti-acne product and manage the stress.
Source: By Samantha Critchell, The Associated Press, March 16th, 2009
This doctor, my colleagues, and also I are seeing an increase in skin related symptoms. Applause is rewarded to this physician and the author for writing this. So commonly in Western medicine we look for a drug to take care of the complaint. For the astute physician that takes time with their patients, they will identify the cause behind the cause of the complaint.
Currently, the cause behind the cause is stress and anxiety over finances, which can lead to an unsteady home life so there is additional stress and anxiety with their relationships. Add these together and you have a raise in adrenaline and cortisol that inhibits the immune system. Any of you remember how many people used to have colds or flus during final exams? I do! When stress goes high immunity goes low!
Look at the cause of the cause- treat stresses by talking about them with someone that can be supportive. Just this in itself can be incredibly alleviating even if it is just to vent. Schedule in time for YOU! Yes YOU ARE IMPORTANT! Even if it is something simple a few times a week. A little something that you enjoy will work wonders to balance out the parts of the life that are chaotic.
Don’t forget to strengthen the immune system with a wholesome diet primarily of whole foods and decreasing or eliminating sugar and artificial sweeteners, and also flavorings and colorings. Cod liver oil is a favorite for the skin, as well as sunshine as long as you don’t get burned! Get your vitamin D levels checked and consult a physician about increasing your vitamin A, C, and D levels which are imperative for the skin and immunity.
Take a breath! Get out and enjoy life, your body deserves it! Be well!
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