You may have heard of these common acne related myths:
- Acne is caused by hormones
- Acne is caused by oily skin
- Acne is caused by puberty
- Acne is caused by the wrong skincare products (yes to some extent)
- Long term Antibiotics and roaccutane can cure/heal acne
Here's the true cause of acne that is unknown to many: A chronic, low grade streptococcus (strep) bacteria infection in the liver.
A little background on how strep first enters the body:
Strep can be passed down through bloodline, come into the body through animal protein or bodily fluids.
Certain substances feed and strengthen strep bacteria e.g prescription antibiotics, eggs, gluten, diary, corn, soy, canola oil.
Some facts about Strep:
- Strep is very adaptable and can become resistant to various antibiotics.
- Strep leaves the liver enters the subcutaneous tissue under the skin through various lymphatic pathways.
- Excess fat cells in the subcutaneous layer stores toxins that feed strep.
- Strep escapes into the epidermis layer of the skin and forms acne or cystic acne.
- When strep is present in the body, other symptoms such as UTI, ear infection, bacteria vaginosis, candida, sties, PANDAS, strep throat can occur.
Acne is often blamed on hormones as it most often happen during puberty or menstration. This is not true. During puberty and time of the month, the immune system lowers, allowing for strep to escape more easily to the skin due to weakened lymphatic system.
Why do our skin gets oily: The skin produces excess amount of sebum oil when strep enters the bottom layer of the dermis in order to trap bacteria to protect your skin from scarring. When strep is really resilient, it escapes lymphocytes (white blood cells) and the skin's attempt to trap bacteria and escapes into the top layer of the skin as acne.
Why can acne occur on my back/neck/groin/chest/arm area: There are various lymphatic paths in the body which are pathways strep takes to the subcutaneous layer of the skin.
Healing from strep: Clean the liver of toxins which are food for strep and consume herbs that kill strep.
Adapted from Anthony William's book.