Acne and Alcohol

I have always had moderate acne on my forehead, but the rest of my face has always been clear. Four months ago, I had alcohol for the first time in my life (three glasses of wine), and it wasn't a few days later that my entire face broke out into one large acne cyst. Its not even individual cysts, but a dark, hard mass on the side of my face. When ever a portion of it comes to head and pops sticky red blood oozes out of my face.

Since then I have gone on a doctor who drained my face (she popped the pimples on my face), remained dedicated to a gluten free diet, and  been using prescription topical medicine, but their hasn't been a dramatic changes. (except on my forehead, which is now clear)

I don't like oral medicine very much. Could anyone give some advice about some natural supplements I can take? Something to make make my body function properly again. A detox of some sort.

[loiloi]

Hi. Unfortunately there is a lack of medical evidence that natural treatments are useful. There is no scientific proof that diet effects acne either positively or negatively. Androgens (male hormones found in male and female bodies) stimulate the sebaceous glands which produce oil. If you have high levels of androgens (eg during puberty) or are particularly sensitive to the effects of androgens too much oil may be produced. The glands become blocked with excess oil and bacteria which feeds off this oil.
We would expect to see a clinical improvement from your topical medicine within 4-8 weeks and further improvement with continued use. The healing time will be quicker if you also take an oral antibiotic such as Oxytetracycline. I understand some people don't like taking tablets, but serious side effects are very rare and oral antibiotics are generally well tolerated.
Female acne patients will also benefit from taking a combined oral contraceptive pill as the oestrogen it contains blocks the actions of androgens.
Eloise