Question - my teenager daughter, 16, has a moderate case of acne on her back and chest. I tried a treatment of Kali Brom 30c, once a day over 4 days. A week later, it appeared to have little change, maybe a small positive move, but not clear indication. I took her case and several rubrics indicated Phos could be a remedy, including a few peculiar ones: big fear of spiders, dislike of meat. occasional trembling of hands. However, Phos does not appear to be indicated for acne. My thought was to give her a 6x remedy of Phos about 3 times a day for one week to see if the acne or trembling is affected, thinking that a constitutional remedy, even if not indicated for acne, may still help the acne if it is the correct choice. Any comment? Need some guidance.

Dear RDS,

Let me give you some of the keynotes of Phosphorus and see if your daughter fits this image:

They tend to be tall and thin
blonde or red hair
fair skin
They often have a problem with bleeding, such as nose bleeds
They love cold drinks, ice, ice cream and chocolate
They are afraid of thunderstorms
They are over-sensitive to external impressions.
Sympathetic, for instance, if you were to become sick, she might be so strongly affected that she would become ill herself. In other words, impressionable--sensitive to others' suffering.
Very excitable, bubbly, center of attention, life of the party, animated.
They are quickly prostrated by unpleasant impressions.
Desire sympathy and company; worse when alone.
Gentle, mild disposition, affectionate, friendly--makes friends very easily and probably has many friends.
May be clairvoyant.

You may try describing the acne to us--appearance--color, configuration, etc.; sensation--itchy, painful, burning, discharging, etc., size, what makes it better or worse, such as cold applications, cold air, night, menses, before menses, eating fats, spicy food, etc.
Your daughter's reaction to them--does she care?

Sincerely,
Snoopy

Snoopy good to hear from you.
I think she fits many of the rubrics you mentioned well. Not tall but blonde, with blue eyes, not heavy or thin. She says she worries when people leave her - like when her boyfriend leaves town to play in sporting events, or last weekend when her brother left for a vacation to Spain. She has always been very outgoing, and makes friends very easy. She always introduced the family to the neighbors, even when she was very young.
The acne looks like small bumps, some are red, a few have white heads, a few black, don't think they itch or burn. She is very concerned about them. Has been worrying for weeks, going to Florida for spring break this weekend - swimsuit time. She says they are definitely worse right before and during menses, but never go away. Occasionally, she will get a few on her face. She said tonight that her chin was very dry.

Dear RDS,

Pulsatilla has acne associated with menstrual problems. It is very similar to phos. in terms of being very out-going, affectionate, sociable, etc. They would also worry when a loved one leaves town. They don't like being left alone. Puls. doesn't have the thirst and desire for cold drinks and ice that Phosphorus has.

Pulsatillas cry easily. They need a lot of reassurance that they're loved. They worry about abandonment. As little kids, they may be the ones clinging to Mom not to leave them off at school. They are open and easily influenced.
They may often ask, "Do you love me?" They're better sympathy, consolation.
They are often blonde, red-cheeked, red lips, warm-blooded, aggravated by heat, better open air, coldish weather,
don't like closed warm rooms.
Worse time of day is twilight.
Aggravated by fatty food--not butter, they like butter and creamy things, like ice cream.

Does this sound more like your daughter than phos.?

Snoopy

Snoopy
Puls, does sound similar, but she has never been thought of as 'weak and weepy" which steered me away from Puls. She is the one in the family that I would call the 'hugger' however and was always in your lap, and holding on to you as a child.
I will re-read the MM on Puls, it was close as I remember. What about the disliking meat? She does like cold drinks, often thirsty and characterizes herself as 'chilly'

Puls isn't just 'weak and weepy'. **** one off and find out how strong they are - no weeping there. That old stem doesn't yield and bend without breaking for nothing.

Be wary of 'remedy pictures'....very misleading at times. Remedies don't always 'present' in the way we learn them.

__________________
"The significance of a fact is measured by the capacity of the observer."
Carroll Dunham

Hello RDS

What is it that she does not like about meat - is it just red meat? Is it the fat on meat?
Does she have specific cravings- if so what for ?

I always advise my 'acne' patients to drink at least 1 litre of water every day- does your daughter drink that amount ??

I agree with Lisa re. these remedy types we learn at college- beware of typifying people. I have taken puls in the past and I in no way resemble the typical puls picture.
Don't forget health is a dynamic thing and we all can need different remedies at different times in our lives.

Hope you get sorted.

[ 19 March 2002, 19:13: Message edited by: Hoppitt415 ]

Well now Lisa... if you are suggesting my little flower can be 'strong-willed' and be Puls, that does sound at lot like my 16 yr old. . .
She doesn't care for red meat or fish, especially the fat. Chicken is better. She drinks a fair amount of water, 1 to 2 L, other cravings? She likes a lot of white food (starches, milk, ice cream, etc.) and few green vegetables.
Thanks for your input.

Dear RDS,

What Puls. has going for it is the menstrual and premenstrual involvement with regard to the acne.

I was in the health food store today and saw a product called Nelson's Acne Gel. Nelson's is a homeopathic pharmacy. The health food store can order it for you if they don't have it. You might want to give that a try.

Snoopy

Wouldn't a gel be suppressive?

Why not go for full on homeopathic treatment?

__________________
"The significance of a fact is measured by the capacity of the observer."
Carroll Dunham