Follow us on :

Impetigo

This common skin infection is caused by bacteria. It affect the inner (epidermal) layer of the skin. As the infection develops, fluid accumulates forming a pustule. When this bursts, a honey-coloured crust forms around it impetigo attacks normal skin and also sometime occurs when there is another problem such as acne or eczema. Having it on your face is embarrassing and I sympathise with your daughter’s distress.

The usual treatment is to gently ‘remove the crusts with Savlon or saltwater, and use both topical antibiotics and systemic oral ones to fight the bacteria. This is usually effective. However, since your daughter is suffering reacurrent infections and the skin lesions appear at certain times of the month, we have to look at the problem a little differently. The fact that she is attracting the infection shows: that her immune system is not strong enough.

The student lifestyle can lead m problems. Their meals are more likely to be fast, cheap, processed, oily and over-sugary rather than fresh and wholesome. They often don’t eat enough vegetables or fruit, and girls may be on a diet. So, all in all, they are likely to be deficient in vitamins and minerals. Teenagers can get away with a lot of dietary irregularities because they are naturally robust, with high energy levels fuelled by puberty and hormones.

They tend to sleep less, sit up the working at their computer: and party at the weekend. But when they get ill, they can be really low because the system that keeps them so active crashes and their bodies just can’t cope. Teenagers with ME or chronic infections such as colds, tonsillitis, bronchitis or glandular fever are quite difficult to treat because once their bodies are down, they take much longer to return to normal.

Since your daughter’s skin seems the erupt at particular times of the month, there is a chance she could have some hormonal imbalances (though my experience does not suggest a fink). I would advise her to consult a qualified homoeopath or acupuncturist.
However, the main aim b to build up her immune system and improve hen energy levels and general health.

This is what I suggest:

  • Treat the sores daily with Skin Oil (Biotique,), which contains neem oil, a natural antibacterial treatments and kolonji oil to help inflammation.

    Diet

  • Eat fresh, wholesome food (organic where possible); avoid processed and ready-prepared foods.
  • Eat regularly-three meals daily, with non-citrus fruits nuts and seeds as snacks in between; never miss breakfast.
  • Try to have freshly squeezed juices, such as carrot, celery and ginger (which reduces skin inflammation), at least every other day.
  • Sit down for meals, eat slowly and chew food well.
  • Aim for at least five portions of vegetables and fruit daily.
  • Avoid citrus and acid-tasting fruits and foods (such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, pineapples, kiwis, mangos, curries, pickles, tinned product). These cause the skin to be hypersensitive.
  • Avoid fried foods, which also affect the skin.
  • Avoid all yeast and fungal products (bread, pizza, Marmite, cheese, mushrooms, vinegar, ready-made sauces, beer, wine and alcohol in general), which can cause fatigue by fermenting in the gut.
  • Supplements

  • Multivitamin and mineral one a day formulation tablets: daily with breakfast.
  • Zinc citrate (tablets): one every other day. This will help boost immunity and fight infection.
  • Bioprash: one tablespoonful with a little honey and water after breakfast. This Ayurvedic supplement is a greet immune system booster.
  • General Health

  • Try to walk daily in the fresh air and also do yoga or some other enjoyable exercise.
  • Get plenty of sleep. Avoid caffeinated drinks after midday and aim to be in bed by l0pm at least two nights a week.

Subscribe to our newsletter.

There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form.