Why acne affects academics

By Grace Canada Pimples or acne can affect the child’s self esteem, confidence and social life. As a result, this can lead to poor school performance and other problems. Teenagers tend to be particularly concerned with appearance. For example, 16-year-old Sam writes: “I have had pimples on my cheeks and forehead for the last four months. I have tried all sorts of creams and lotions recommended by friends, but the pimples are not going away. I feel so embarrassed that at times I do not feel like attending school.” For Sam and other teenagers with pimples, understanding how pimples occur might help you not to feel so bad. To some degree 80% of all people between the ages of 12 and 24 get afflicted with pimples. The problem is more common in males than in females, because of male sex hormones like testosterone. Male hormones stimulate the ova production of a fatty oil (sebum). It is produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin and in small sacs from which hair grows called follicles. The function of sebum is to lubricate your skin and hair. However, when there is an over production the oil may get trapped in the skin pores. This makes it easy for bacteria to stick on it and cause inflammation resulting in pimples. Because sebaceous glands are found in large numbers on the face back and shoulders those areas tend to get affected. Females too do get pimples at puberty especially around the menstrual period. Causes include stress, eating too much of foods containing high levels of sugar, animal fat, fat that is solid at room temperature, chocolate, cocoa and all cola drinks. Recommendations: - During a flare-up, avoid all the mentioned foods. Too much sugar and animal fat can impair immune function. - Eliminate all dairy products from your diet for one month. (The fat contained in the diary products can worsen the condition. After the pimples heal you may add dairy products back in your diet. - Eliminate iodised salt and onions. Onions contain iodine, high levels of iodine can make pimples worse. - Do not use Vaseline or any lotion, or cream that contains oil. Applying oil will make acne worse. - Avoid squeezing or pinching pimples, because this can easily spread the infection. Wash your hands well with clean water and soap before you touch the affected area. - Using soap specially prepared for acne, thoroughly wash the affected area, but do not scrub as this can make acne worse. - For severe acne, ask your parents to take you to a doctor.