Using Antibiotics in Acne Treatment

Acne in adolescents usually disappears on its own and rarely leaves permanent scars. But to avoid the possibility of scarring, you should talk to your doctor and get a prescription medication for eliminating acne. The typical treatment for acne is a systemic approach, most commonly in the form of antibiotics.

Coming from the sebaceous skin glands after bacteria attacks these glands, acne proves to be a persistent inflammatory disease. The face, chest, and back are all places on the body that are commonly infected. The characteristic features of acne are the increased secretion of sebum and inflammation around the sebaceous gland. There are a variety of acne treatments on the market to use for this condition, but the most effective treatment is usually a course of antibiotics.

Depending on the severity of the acne, either oral or topical antibiotics will be prescribed by your physician. Usually, treating acne requires the long-term use of antibiotics. It takes patience to treat and cure acne as a number of approaches may be required to eliminate it completely; sometimes the entire process can take several months.

One of the oral antibiotics used in acne treatment is tetracycline. However, if you are pregnant, you should not take this medication, as it may disturb the absorption of the hormone progesterone. Other oral antibiotics used for treating acne are doxycycline, minocycline and erythromycin. Erythromycin is very effective in controlling the pathogens responsible for causing acne as well as at controlling Gram-positive infections.

Caution must be taken during antibiotic treatment, and the medicine needs to be used sparingly. Antibiotics kill all the bacteria in your body, which is great when you need to take control of bacteria that has gone haywire. However, there are also good bacteria killed in the process, so it is highly recommended to take a probiotic supplement to replace the good bacteria while you’re on the antibiotics.

On the pharmacist’s shelf in lotion, gel, or cream forms are clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline, three topical antibiotics that prove effective many times. Because tough organisms can create colonies sometimes, there are dangers associated with employing such topical antibiotics, and this is a downside to their effectiveness against acne.

Talk to your doctor about all the options available in treating and preventing acne. Some individuals discover that the oral treatments work best for them, and other people find that topical antibiotics work most effectively. It may be necessary for you to try out more than one treatment before you find the one that works best for you.

Acne is a serious skin condition that can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or habits. The good news is that there are some very effective ways to clear up the problem, whether you’re looking at curing body acne or dealing with outbreaks on your face. Learn more at Curing Acne.