Keisha Shakespeare, Staff Reporter
This young woman's face has a bad case of acne
DURING THE CHRISTMAS season individuals tend to eat a lot of everything, particularly sweet treats. Here in Jamaica the list consists of rich fruit or rum cakes/puddings topped with generous servings of rum/brandy sauce, sorrel, a variety of sodas and ice cream. However, after eating all these delicious delights some persons tend to break out in acne or other facial lesions. Some blame their dilemma on the food while others just cannot explain their predicament.
Dr. Patrricia Dunwell, consultant dermatologist at Musgrave Medical Centre explained that scientifically it has not been proven that food can cause breakouts. However, overindulgence can cause food poisoning, but breakouts are hormonally linked and not necessarily food induced.
She noted that foods such as seafood and fruits are some of the foods that lead to food poisoning. She added that if someone has suffered a mild food poisoning then they could take an antihistamine such as Benadryl to control poisoning.
Tips for controlling breakouts.
Dr. Dunwell noted that poorly removed make-up after heavy holiday partying could clog the pores and cause breakouts. But there are products that can be used to control acne breakouts such as:
* Astringents that contain salicyclic acid such as Neutrogena products or cleansing pads are helpful.
* One can also use benzexyolss peroxide cream and lotion that contains antibiotics that will dry away pimples.
* However, if the acne breakout is severe then it is best to consult your dermatologist.
