Both bad breath and acne can be embarrassing, and better hygiene may help to treat both problems. Beyond that, the two conditions are not related. There are numerous reasons why you might develop bad breath or acne and a variety of treatment options.
Causes
Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of bad breath. Certain foods, sinusitis, smoking or large doses of vitamins may also affect your breath. In some cases, the type of breath odor may indicate more serious conditions such as ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that may occur in diabetes; bowel obstruction; or chronic kidney failure. As for acne, there is no known cause, but hormones are believed to play a role.
Symptoms
Because it's hard to self-diagnose, MayoClinic.com reports that many people worry about bad breath even when they have little or no mouth odor. If you're not certain whether you have a problem with bad breath, ask a close friend or relative for an honest opinion. Acne, meanwhile, is a more obvious condition and commonly occurs on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. It can appear as raised flesh-colored bumps, red bumps, red bumps with white tips, painful lumps beneath the skin's surface or pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin.
Hygiene
Food particles in the mouth can collect bacteria and emit chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide, which can produce a rotten egg smell. Treatment of periodontal disease and better brushing may take care of bad breath. In the case of acne, too much scrubbing can aggravate the condition. Doctors recommend gentle cleansing of acne-prone areas twice a day.
Foods
Foods can be a culprit in bad breath in a couple of ways. In addition to lingering food particles, eating certain foods can cause bad breath. Onions and garlic are classic examples. They can result in bad breath until the foods are digested and eliminated from the body. Many people think eating certain foods can cause acne. However, MayoClinic.com reports that greasy foods and chocolate have little effect on acne.
Treatment
In order to properly treat bad breath, you need to find the cause. For some people, a change in dental hygiene or diet can solve the problem. Others may need to see a doctor for treatment of an underlying medical condition. Acne is often treated with over-the-counter topical treatments, but doctors can prescribe both oral medications and topical treatments for more stubborn cases.
