My daughter has a lot of facial acne. What can I do about it?

Acne is the most common of all skin diseases. It can become a serious problem with young girls as it is often related to puberty.

Taking basic home care measures will help the condition, although if it is serious other treatments will be necessary. Keep the skin of the face as dry and clean as possible. Wash the face carefully and gently twice a day with anti-bacteria soap. Use a non oil-based moisturizer on the face after each washing. Avoid cosmetics that contain synthetic chemicals and vegetable oils and keep the hair clean and off the face.

The most successful complementary therapy for acne is acupuncture used in conjunction with herbal remedies. Your acupuncturist will assess the cause of the acne and work with the underlying problem. In the long term, acupuncture is often more successfully with acne than pharmaceutical products. It has some other advantages too; acupuncture does not have the unwanted side effects associated with some conventional medications and it has the added benefit of improving overall health and vitality as well. If you have very severe acne, it is important to consult your medical practitioner or dermatologist.

I seem to suffer with a lot of catarrh. Please can you help as it makes life, especially during the winter months, unbearable?

Catarrh is an inflammation of mucous membranes, particularly of the head and throat. It produces a mucus discharge, which may be thick or thin and can become infected. Catarrh is usually a symptom of a disease or infection. The best way to get rid of catarrh is to understand its underlying cause, which will include testing for allergies. In nearly all cases, allergies are the cause of chronic catarrh.

If you are spending a lot of time in dry air conditions at home or work, try to increase the humidity in the room with a humidifier or bowl of water on the radiator. This will help to keep the mucus thin, so that it can drain from the nasal passageways, thus preventing sinus headaches. A steaming bath with essential oils such as jasmine can relieve serious congestion.

A warm compress applied to the face will help loosen thick phlegm. If the catarrh is caused by allergies such as dust, pollen, mould, smoke or animals, a room-sized air cleaner can help filter the air. Drink plenty of water to keep the mucus loose and the membranes moist. Avoid caffeinated beverages, as caffeine tends to further restrict the membranes.

Diet is often relevant in catarrhal conditions, with white flour, sugar and dairy foods being common culprits. The herb Plantago, through its anticatarrhal action, helps disperse accumulated congestion and is a powerful yet mild remedy for catarrh conditions. This can be obtained from a qualified herbalist or tinctures are available in health food stores.

Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions. If you would like a question covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804.

Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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