Acne is a skin disorder, which occurs when the sebaceous glands of the skin, produce excess of the oily secretion sebum that plugs the skin pores. There are various types of acne - papular, pustular, nodular, and cystic acne. Acne occurs on the face, as well as the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Teenagers & young adults are more prone to developing acne due to the physiological hormonal changes that take place at that age; although, adults of any age can develop acne. When severe and full of pus so as to form cyst-like swellings, it is called cystic acne. Hidradenitis Suppurativa or Acne Conglobata is primarily a disease of occlusion (obstruction) and inflammation of the sweat glands of the groin and armpits. It develops when ducts from the sweat glands to the skin surface get blocked, leading to a red swollen area on the skin with formation of cysts, subsequent infection, and then scarring. People with acne are often embarrassed by their appearance, which may lead to lack of self-confidence, anxiety, and depression.

Mrs. Latha Janakiraman (name changed to protect identity), 31 years old, was suffering from recurrent pustules and hard abscess in both her armpits since 2003. There was pain and redness with a yellow discharge. She had taken conventional treatment for a period of two years, which had only palliated the soreness. She had also undergone an incision and drainage surgery (to drain the infected areas); however, the abscess had relapsed within four months. She suffered from continuous fever with mild to severe body pain. The constant pricking pain made her restless and disabled her from carrying out her day-to-day activities, including simple tasks such as washing or combing her own hair. Due to the constant pain and depression resulting from her condition, she quit her job. At her husband’s insistence, she visited Dr. Batra’s^® where the doctor, after studying her complete medical history, diagnosed her condition as Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

She was prescribed Pulsatilla 200C and within a span of one month, the redness, intensity of pain, and fever reduced. In the next four months, the abscess subsided completely. She was under observation for a period of two years and no relapse was reported.

Acne should not be suppressed by topical applications because the outward eruption that we see is a reflection of the internal disorder of the body. Homeopathy offers natural, effective remedies to treat acne. The main goal of the treatment is to control new lesions from forming, heal existing lesions, minimize the psychological embarrassment and stress, and prevent scarring. While other systems of medicine only target the acne, Homeopathy treats the root cause, i.e., by stabilizing the hormonal levels and reducing the tendency to pus or scar formation and pigmentation.