Efficacy of homeopathic medicine in the treatment of acne- A study of 400 cases

Acne is the involvement of the oil glands at the base of hair follicles characterized by papular and pustular eruptions over face, forehead, chest and back. Disfigurement associated with psychological problem is the major problem of acne which commonly affects the adolescent population. Hyperkeratinization, obstruction of sebaceous follicles, stimulation of sebaceous gland secretion, Propionibacterium acnes colonization of pilosebaceous units are some of the important pathogenetic factors of the disease. The teenage groups are commonly affected. Acne scars are the most important sequel of inflammatory acne. It is very common to them who are repeatedly infected with acne. Thus early control of inflammation can prevent pigmentation and scar formation. In many cases conventional treatment fails and the patients become helpless in this condition. Thus in this study a possible curative role of homeopathic medicines was explored in such cases based on a pilot study done earlier at our Institute. A group of 400 such cases were enrolled in the study following consideration of all ethical issues and inclusion and exclusion criteria formulated at our institute. There was also a control group of 40 cases where only placebo was given which were similar in appearance containing only vehicle of the medicine. Only a single oral homeopathic medicine (sulphur in 30 homeopathic dilution or tuberculinum in 200 homeopathic dilution) was given in the test group based on clinical case history as observed in the pilot study. No local application was used in the study. Out of 400 cases, 380 (95 %) cases showed significant improvements within six months of treatment including cure, while the control group showed no changes even after six months. The results of this study were very encouraging indicating a definite role of homoeopathic medicine in acne and acne scar.