Antibiotics For Acne - Part 1 - Health Plus Digest

Acne happens when follicles on your face get plugged with oil and dead cells. Triggers for outbreaks include skin irritation, hormonal imbalances [teens and pregnancy] and increased oil secretion. You can experience acne outbreaks on your face, back, chest, neck and shoulders. While acne has no long-term health effects, it can cause significant emotional distress and result in permanent scarring on the skin.

Treatments for the condition include over-the-counter topical treatments, cleansing regimens and prescription oral and topical treatments. One of the mainstays of treatment have been antibiotics because it is a combination of the excess oils and bacteria that create the acne symptoms of pustules, whiteheads, blackheads and cysts.

Some of the more common medications include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, clinadamycin, erythromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, Differin, Tazorac and Retin-A. Each of these antibiotics has advantages and disadvantages to using them. Most have side effects, although some more than others. Most have methods of administration which make the antibiotic more effective for the prescribed problem.

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, researchers evaluated the use of tetracyclines, one of the more popular group of antibiotics prescribed for acne vulgaris. They found that when physicians had a greater understanding of the absorption of the medication and distribution, and communicated those instructions to the patients, the individual experienced greater success in the treatment of the condition. (1)

References:

(1) Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology: Oral Antibiotic Therapy for Acne Vulgaris

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3050614/

(2) National Prescribing Services: Oral antibiotics: an option in acne but consider the risks

http://www.nps.org.au/health-professionals/health-news-evidence/2013/oral-antibiotics-for-acne

(3) Archives of Dermatology: Antibiotic Treatment of acne may be associated with upper respiratory tract infections

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16172310

Resources:

DermNet Nz: Antibiotics for Acne

http://www.dermnetnz.org/acne/acne-antibiotics.html

MayoClinic: Acne

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/definition/con-20020580