What is cystic acne? Cysts are fluid filled bumps that are sometimes rather painful. Sometimes, tiny cysts form on the delicate skin of the face, creating cystic acne. A zit every once in a while is totally normal but if you find yourself constantly dealing with tons of red bumps, you are likely dealing with cystic acne.
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Can Diet Help Cystic Acne?
Though this type of acne can be an indicator of a hormonal imbalance, other factors can have influence the development of facial cysts. Dietary habits, especially, have shown ties to cystic acne through various digestive triggers. Understanding cystic acne and working to not fuel the proverbial fire can make a huge difference in your skin.
Many times, doctors will prescribe antibiotics or topical creams to help fight off break outs. Over the counter acne washes and treatments will often not work very well and can actually do more harm than good by drying out the skin and breaking down the protective oil barrier. Traditional treatments include everything from birth control pills to powerful drugs like Accutane.
Medications like Accutane carry heavy health risks and can make you seriously ill so many doctors will not prescribe them without trying every other option available. One of the things the doctor may ask you to change is your diet. Dietary habits can really, really do a number on your skin. Greasy foods, gluten, and a host of other triggers can cause breakouts, bloating, and sensitivity.
Dairy products are one of the most common triggering foods. Lactose allergies can obviously cause some skin conflicts but even if you are not allergic at all, you can still feel some effects. Dairy is rough on your digestive system which, in turn, can cause your skin to freak out.
If you think this may be part of the issue with your skin, try cutting out dairy for a couple of weeks to a month. If you see improvement, it may be time to consider going dairy free. There are countless dairy replacement options so you will not even miss it!
We have come a long way in the lactose free industry.
Alternatively, you can try purchasing higher quality dairy, as many doctors believe the skin damaging components could be related to the nature of the dairy’s production.
Sugar can also create some skin issues. Foods that hit higher in the glycemic index can cause inflammation within your body to be much worse. This, unfortunately, includes pasta and bread. Sugary products can also increase the presence of yeast in the body, allowing it to grow which can, in turn, allow it to cause more breakouts on the face and body.
Trying natural sweeteners such as honey and agave can help offset the sugar breakouts. Personally, I find them to be tastier, too!
Caffeine is a huge no-go. Too much caffeine can cause the body to produce cortisol due to the stress that is placed on the body by caffeinated foods and beverages. Cortisol causes the oil glands in the skin to increase production, which can lead to more clogged pores and breakouts.
The oil also aids in bacterial movement, allowing breakouts to spread more easily. Chocolate and teas also have high caffeine levels so do not just write off coffee and soda, consider hidden culprits as well.
The average healthy adult should have no more than four hundred milligrams of caffeine a day, more than that can cause not only acne but also other health issues, especially damaging the heart and liver.
The liver is a powerful filter in your body, removing toxins from your blood. Alcohol can hinder this toxin removal, allowing nasty leftovers from bodily processes to sneak back into your body. Drinking heavily can cause dull, lifeless skin and damage your liver, leading to more frequent and severe breakouts.
Alcohol damages your body in many ways and should be consumed in moderation. If you feel you are over indulging, please reach out for help. Rehabilitation facilities are available for all income levels and there are always options out there to turn your life around.
If you drink heavily or often and suffer from cystic acne, it is time to consider cutting back and seeing if it causes any improvement. At the very least you will likely feel much better when your body is not being slowed down by alcohol!
Processed foods are great for convenience. Grabbing a frozen pizza or some chips will satisfy food cravings but there are many obvious downsides to consuming tons of processed food products. You are more likely to rapidly gain weight and your skin can seriously be damaged by poor dieting.
Fast foods and packaged foods contain chemicals to make them shelf stable or quick to produce; these chemicals can literally poison your body and make you feel kind of crummy. There have been discovered ties between these types of food and cystic acne, so perhaps consider cutting back and going for a more natural, probiotic rich diet.
Ideally, you should be getting a good balance of vitamins and minerals everyday. Iron, Vitamin A, and probiotics are amazing at helping your skin look healthy and smooth. Biotin can also help, as can folic acid. Supplementing with a vitamin or mineral pill or chewable tablet can give you a little boost of what you may be missing through your dieting habits.
Always consult your doctor before you start any new supplement to check for interactions with your current medications or medical procedures. A good diet can seriously turn your skin around; small changes now can make a huge impact on your future!