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Acne Treatments Guide - Articles

How prolonged steroids can effect you

by Sabina Carvalho

Topical steroids are a collective of names given to a family of drugs prescribed by dermatologists and doctors. Their application is diverse, and include various skin disorders and diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, dermatitis, and rashes.

The general public usually view topical steroids as harmless, however they are related to the same medicinal family as the dangerous anabolic steroid. It may serve as a kindly reminder that not only are anabolic steroids extremely addictive, they can potentially elicit a vast array of severely detrimental side effects.

CONSIDERATIONS IN DETERMINING THE BEST TREATMENT FOR ACNE

The reason topical steroids are effective is due to their ease in absorption into one's skin cells. Once absorbed they are able to cease an array of inflammation-causing chemicals that are normally released when the skin reacts to allergens or irritation.

When left untreated, the inflammation-causing chemicals widen blood vessels causing redness and swelling. Therefore, by preventing this release within the skin, inflammation is reduced and relief is provided for any previous symptoms such as itchiness. It must be noted however, these topical treatments often elicit detrimental side effects both internally and to the skin.

With regards to the internal side effects, perhaps the most dangerous is adrenal gland suppression. The body's essential natural production of steroids is also reduced through the use of topical steroids. As a result, once the topical steroids cease to be used there is an increased risk of developing unforeseen illnesses.

In conjunction with these, other more dangerous internal side effects include: Crushing's Syndrome, fluid retention, raised blood pressure, diabetes, increased aggression, anaphylactic shock, birth defects, blood clotting, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, gynecomastia, hair loss, kidney and liver problems, prostate enlargement, and testicular atrophy.

The side effects incurred on the skin are just as damaging. This includes but is not limited to:

- Skin thinning (atrophy) and stretch marks (striae) - Easy bruising and tearing of the skin - Perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth) - Enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasia) - Susceptibility to skin infections - Disguising infection e.g. tinea incognito - Allergy to the steroid cream

As you can see, the list of side effects are far more damaging and life threatening than the original problems topical steroids are intended to remove. However, there are other solutions to skin problems such as natural acne treatment cream that avoid all such severe side effects.

Taking into account the above information, natural skincare solutions are therefore thebest treatment for acne. Poor acne health can be easily reversed through the use of a natural acne treatment gel such as Bioskinclear, an oil free product that assists in removing acne scarring, while reducing and preventing acne and rosacea. Bioskincare is equally as effective. This biological skin cream stops acne inflammation, keeps acne bacteria under control, prevents proliferation of cysts, unclogs pores quickly, and eliminates redness, dryness, and scarring.

Published February 23rd, 2009

Filed in Health, Skin Care