Acne at Period Time.

Just before the period starts, our blood is in a state of relative deficiency. Skin eruptions, around the chin and jaw especially, may suddenly appear, then subside after the period ends. Although they can be a useful indicator that your period is on it way, they more importantly indicate underlying pathology.

The aetiology behind these monthly blemishes can be due to the following:

• Blood Deficiency

  If there is a background of blood deficiency present, then the time before and, during the period will become even more deficient, for obvious reasons. Over working (physically or mentally) with inadequate rest, chronic illness, irregular diet, including raw cold foods, childbirth or other excessive bleeding, can result in blood deficiency inside the body, this then naturally allows the creation of internal Wind. It is the reckless wind in the vessels which stirs up the blood and rises upwards, creating and causing eruptions on the face. (Picture the wind tunnels experienced when using the underground tube).

• Manifestations

  Itchy papules erupting before, during or after the period, on the body or face, plus, insomnia, dizziness and scant periods.

• Blood Heat

  A prolonged diet rich in Yang foods (hot) such as spices and alcohol, can create liver heat which in turn can produce heat in the blood. This will be intensified in phase 4 of the cycle (pre period) when yang is increasing in the body rapidly. So any aetiology which heats the blood will be manifesting at this time. Blood heat can combine with damp which creates damp heat, a stickier, harder to remove substance.

• Manifestations

  Red papule eruptions before and during the period, dry mouth, irritability, red face, thirst and headaches.

• Damp Heat

  Damp producing foods such as fried, greasy, oily foods, dairy products, foods with high sugar content, including alcohol and heavily processed foods weaken the spleen and stomach Qi and damp is created in the digestion system. This internal damp slows down digestion, disrupts the fluid metabolism and can create internal heat.

  The Stomach channel starts on the face, internally, where the Large Intestine channel ends. This is just one example of the close relationship between the two organs and their functions. A channel full of Qi and blood which can, when the digestive system is blocked, manifest with acne around the mouth.

• Manifestations

  Red, papule or vesicular eruptions before and during the period, which produce a pus or fluid, but also a tendency to heaviness, fatigue, bloating, obesity and greasy skin.

• Identification

  Red Papules - wind heat

  Pale papules -wind heat plus blood deficiency background

  White vesicles with clear fluid- damp

  Pustules with yellow sticky fluid- damp heat

  purple eruptions- blood stasis

• Treatment

  All Chinese Medicine Diagnosis are treatable through the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine alongside improvements in current environment and lifestyle including nutrition. Strengthening the digestive system to allow the digestive organs to fully function, including the metabolising of fluids, transformation of foods and assistance in the production of healthy blood is a common treatment strategy for many people, not just for the manifestation of acne.

  Acupuncture and Chinese herbal Medicine are affective at treating acne at period time due to the individual approach we take. Dependant on the exacts type of blemishes, your constitution and the additional signs and symptoms a bespoke treatment plan will be made for you.