Can birth control pill causes discoloration of skin ?

For some female patients, treatment-resistant acne is caused by excessive production of hormones called androgens. With extra androgens in your system, your oil-producing glands go into high gear and so does your acne. Several clues can help your doctor identify acne that may be influenced by hormones: acne that appears in adults for the first time; acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle; irregular menstrual cycles; hirsutism (excessive growth of hair or hair in unusual places); and elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream.

Adult women and teenage girls whose acne has resisted treatment with antibiotics or topical retinoids may be candidates for hormonal therapy. Once a patient's acne is identified as hormonally influenced, the doctor will be able to prescribe a number of different therapies, or perhaps a combination of several different drugs; "combination therapy" is often the best approach to this kind of acne. Following are a few common components of therapy for hormonal acne, but remember to consult your doctor before using any of the remedies listed here.

Acne, Melasma And Birth Control Pill

Oral contraceptives

Birth-control pills (a combination of estrogen and progestin taken orally) are often prescribed for hormonal acne. Low doses of estrogen help suppress the androgens produced by the ovaries, and the newer progestin agents, including desogestrel and norgestimate, are less androgenic than those found in older formulations. While only Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estro-Step are currently approved by the FDA for this indication, experts agree that low-dose contraceptives improve acne regardless of which formula is used. Consult your gynecologist to find the formula that's right for you. While side effects are uncommon, some women may experience brownish blotches, or  melasma - hyperpigmentation  on the skin. These can be treated with topical bleaching agents.

Anti-androgens

In combination with oral contraceptives, doctors also may prescribe an anti-androgen ; these drugs inhibit androgen production in the ovaries and adrenal glands and help prevent existing androgens from causing excessive oil production. Spironolactone, a high blood pressure medicine with anti-androgenic properties, has proven quite effective in the treatment of acne. Side effects may include breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities (in women not using oral contraceptives), headache and fatigue; since it's also a diuretic, you may experience frequent urination as well.

NOTE: Spiranolactone is tetrogenic and can cause feminization of a male fetus. If you are sexually active and not taking 'the pill,' it's imperative that you use another form of birth control.

Corticosteroids

Small doses of corticosteroids, like prednisone or dexamethasone, may curb inflammation and suppress the androgens produced by the adrenal glands. Keep in mind that in some acne sufferers, corticosteroids may actually aggravate acne; they're most effective when used in combination with oral contraceptives.

In conclusion, if you think your acne is hormonally induced, see your doctor right away. While this kind of acne requires a different course of treatment, it is highly treatable. More about your hormones.

For patients who suffer from moderate to severe acne, doctors may prescribe a combination of topical remedies and oral antibiotics. The most common oral medications used to treat acne are tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline and erythromycin.

Antibiotics for Acne - How They Work

Like Benzoyl Peroxide, antibiotics control breakouts by curbing the body's production of
P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, and decreasing inflammation. This process may take several weeks or months, so be patient. And remember, you're not 'cured' just because your breakouts have subsided. That's the medicine doing its job so if you stop taking it, your acne will probably come back. Likewise, doubling up on your medication won't make your skin clear up twice as fast. Using your topical antibiotics more frequently than prescribed may actually induce greater follicular irritation and plugging, which slows clearing time. And taking your oral medications more often than prescribed won't help your skin clear faster but it will increase your chance of experiencing unpleasant side effects.

Where To Get Them

If you have moderate to severe acne, consult your dermatologist; he or she will discuss your options and help you make the best choice. Once you've begun treatment, give it time to start working. Keep your doctor apprised of your progress, so he or she can make changes to the course of treatment if necessary. And again, don't stop using your medication when your skin clears let your doctor make that call.

Common Side Effects

With most of the antibiotics used to treat acne, side effects may include photosensitivity (higher risk of sunburn), upset stomach, dizziness or lightheadedness, hives, lupus-like symptoms and skin discoloration. Some women report a higher incidence of vaginal yeast infection while taking antibiotics; these can usually be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medication or a prescription antifungal, such as diflucan. Tetracycline is not given to pregnant women or children under 12 years of age because it can discolor developing teeth. Lastly (and least common), because doxycycline is also the treatment of choice for Lyme disease, there is the theoretical possibility that a patient who takes this medication for a long period of time would build a resistance, and therefore be unable to fight Lyme.

Skin Discolouration and Low Dose Birth Control

One of the more distressing side effects associated with oral contraceptives, even low dose birth control pills, in some women, can be a darkening of the skin on the face called 'melasma.' 

Acne Pills – A Perfect Remedy to Get Clear Skin

There are mainly three types of acne pills that are hormones (birth control/oral contraceptives), antibiotics and isotretinoin (Accutane) pills. Isotretinoin is possibly the main influential pills and only used for severe cases of cystic acne. But the hormone acne pills can also have side effects like vaginal bleeding, fluid retention, melasma and depression. 

Using Birth Control Pills for Acne Control

There are other advantages of birth control pills apart from giving protection against pregnancy. Today many females especially teenage girls use birth control pills not only to protect them form being pregnant but cure acne.

Stop birth control pills

I have a skin condition, melasma, which makes these dark splotches appear on my forehead. I’m pretty sure they’re from my birth control pills. If I stop birth control, will the melasma go away?

By: Kerwin Chang

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Kerwin Chang writes for www.acnestuff.net where you can find out more about acne and other skin care topics.

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Tyrosine

The tyrosine is an aromatic amino acid, which can absorb light. It is formed form phenylalanine by the reaction catalyzed by phenylalanine hydroxylase. The phenylalanine is essential amino acid but tyrosine is not, provided the diet contains adequate quantities of phenylalanine. The reaction is not reversible, so tyrosine cannot replace the requirement for phenylalanine.

Tyrosine has to sparing action, because if tyrosine is fed then need to phenylalanine in the body is decreased. Both the amino acids are ketogenic and at the same glycogenic. Both have immense metabolic role in the body, and are metabolized through the common pathways. The catabolism of tyrosine results in formation of acetoacetic acid, phenol, tyramine, epinephrine (adrenaline), non-epinephrine (nor adrenaline), thyroid hormones, and melanin in separate reactions.

Tyrosine is essential for protein synthesis and serves as a precursor for thyroxin, melanin, and catecholamine.

The amino acid tyrosine, found in chicken and also tuna fish, boosts brain chemicals that improve motivation and reaction time. The hereditary defective metabolic abnormalities of tyrosine lead to tyrosinosis, alcaptonuria (occhronosis), and albinism; which are described below.

The excess of tyrosine, when serum tyrosine levels are raised to 6-12 mg/dl as those of methionine, a condition called Tyrosinosis, affect the activities several enzymes and transport systems. In acute tyrosinosis, infants have diarrhoea, vomiting with a cabbage like odour and fail to thrive. In the absence of treatment, the death from liver failure takes place in 6-8 months. In chronic tyrosinosis, symptoms are similar but milder, and death occurs by 10 yrs of age. The treatment consists of a diet low in phenylalanine and tyrosine; also some times low even in methionine.

The other metabolic defect is tyrosinosis. Type II, wherein serum tyrosine level in raised to 4-5 mg/dl, is hepatic with eye and skin lesions, and some mental retardation. It is the only amino acid whose urinary concentration is raised whereas renal clearance and reabsorption of tyrosine fall within normal limits.

Another disorder, neonatal tyrosinosis, wherein blood levels of tyrosine and phenylalanine are raised, urinary level of tyrosine is raised. The treatment consists of a diet low in protein.

Melanins are polymers of tyrosine catabolites, catalyzed by tyrosine hydroxylase. Albinos with tyrosine hydroxylase: as negative lack all visual pigment and hair bulbs fail to convert added tyrosine to pigment; as positive have some visual pigment and hair bulbs convert tyrosine to black eumelanin in vitro.

Tyrosine forms epinephrine and nor epinephrine on getting converted in cells of neural origin through enzymes contained in adrenal medulla. The rate-limiting enzyme in the process of catecholamine biosynthesis is tyrosine hydroxylase. Tyrosine is also a precursor of the thyroid hormones. Free tyrosine can be iodinated by a reaction organification. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is required in the degradation of tyrosine, and also in the synthesis of epinephrine from tyrosine.

Sources: It is available mainly in ragi, parboiled rice, cow pea, peas, soyabean, pumpkin leaves, spinach, colocasia, yam, ladies fingers, brinjal, grount nut, gingelly seeds, figs, strawberry, curd, milk.

Find complete and updated information on amino acid, essential amino acid, amino acid supplement, 20 amino acid, amino acid structure, amino acid chain, amino acid protein, and amino acid food. Is Tyrosine useful for Melasma treatment? Continue reading

l tyrosine supplements for Melasma

Sun does not make melasma occur, but can make it worse. Ochronosis is a darkening of the skin that is caused by a build-up of phenylalanine or tyrosine. It was written by a lady that experienced a cure for her melasma. It can be purchased online through a major book supplier for a few dollars.

By: Dr John Anne

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

More on Tyrosine Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources. Read more on Amino acid Benefits and its functions. Read www.healthvitaminsguide.com - Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids

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