Acne can actually cause some emotional distress and inferiority complex especially among teenagers and it can also occur in adults too. Acne can cause scars and dark spot on the skin, one important thing to do, when you have acne is to start treating it, before it becomes too much and sever. Most time they heal slowly and when one goes away another one shows up. Although there are available treatments that can help with treating acne.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles of your skin become clogged with oil and dead skin. It causes whitehead, blackhead or pimples. Acne is thought to develop because of a combination of factors such as the production of too much oil in the skin, clogged skin, pores, bacteria in the skin, inflammation some medication and some make-up. Hormonal changes which occur during puberty or with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome and menstrual cycle can have a big impact on acne. Acne can appear on the face, forehead, chest, shoulder and upper back.

Types of acne

• Nodular acne: is a severe form of acne that causes pimples on the surface of the skin and tender, nodular lumps under the skin.
• Fungal acne: this occurs when yeast build up in the hair follicles and it can be itchy and inflamed.
• Hormonal acne:  this affects adults that have an over -production of sebum that clog their skin pores.
• Cystic acne: this one causes a deep, pus-filled pimples and nodules that can cause a long-term scar were the pimples are found.

Causes of acne

When there is too much material inside the hair follicles a clog is formed and can lead to acne. The following can cause the appearance of acne on the skin.

• Dead skin cell: sometimes our skin cells shed out to make room for more cells to be formed. When those dead cells are released from our skin, they can get stuck in the hair follicles and that can lead to an acne.
• Bacteria: the presence of a small number of bacteria on our skin that are there naturally can clog the skin pores and lead to acne.
• Sebum: this is an oily substance on our skin that provide a protective barrier for the skin. Sebum can cause acne too.

Can food actually trigger acne

Some foods can promote inflammation throughout the body and it is possible this can trigger acne outbreak. In addition, diet can affect hormones that in turn could make acne worse. For instance, milk and food high in sugar content can cause a rise in insulin levels, and these can alter the hormones that can affect the skin. Despite the connection between diet acne there is no consensus that changing a diet can be effective to treat acne.

5Foods that can trigger acne

1. Whey protein: whey protein is a rich source of protein and amino acids like leucine and glutamine. However, consuming whey protein makes the skin cells to grow and multiply faster, beside rising insulin levels which can also cause acne. This usually consumed by athletes and body builders.
2. Processed foods: processed foods and unrefined carbohydrates such as white bread, pizza, potato chips are not too good for acne. Processed foods contain starch and have a high glycemic index in them; this can cause our body to release more insulin, and those insulin leads to hormonal release that can cause acne.
3.  Dairy products: cow milk dairy products contain AI casein, a protein known to interact with our hormones by increasing insulin and growth. This can become a problem for the skin that might lead to acne and male testosterone. If diary trigger your acne, it is important to take note and discontinue it.
4. Refine sugar: refined sugar in other forms like sodas, tetra pack juices are rich in refined carbohydrates. These get absorbed fast into the bloodstream, raising sugar levels. The increase in insulin levels pushes the excess sugar into the body cells which can cause acne.
5. Chocolates:  long time ago in the 1920 it has been suspected that chocolate can trigger acne, although no evidence can prove it. But some studies suggest that chocolate promote skin peeling in the outmost layer of the skin and increase bacteria colonization which can contribute to acne.

Tips on how to prevent and manage acne

• Avoid exposing your skin to too much sunlight especially when you have acne
• Use gently, oil- free skin care products and cosmetics
• Avoid picking, scratching or touching your pimples
• Wash your face and skin at least twice a day after sweating
• Make sure you clean your face make-up every day, don’t go to bed with make -up on your face
• Avoid too much stress.

Summary

While there is need for more research to understand the relationship between some food and acne, it is important you take care of your acne as much as you can and seek for medical help if your acne becomes a thing of concern for you.