Acne, Antibiotics, and You

Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be traumatizing for people who suffer from the skin disorder. Dermatologists usually treat moderate to severe acne with antibiotics. These acne antibiotics are used to help curb the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation of the skin which causes pimples and blackheads to occur. Prescription oral and topical acne antibiotics may be combined; retinoids are also used in conjunction with these therapies.

Side effects when taking these antibiotics, such as nausea, increased sensitivity to the sun, dizziness, and changes in skin color may occur. All antibiotics can cause Candida vaginal yeast infections in women and may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills so another form of birth control may be needed. Also, prolonged treatment with oral acne antibiotics may be necessary to achieve the desired results. To effectively treat acne, patients usually must take oral antibiotics for as long as 4 to 6 months.

Oral antibiotics work by decreasing the number of bacteria in and around the follicles of the skin. Acne antibiotics also work by reducing the inflammatory chemicals produced by white blood cells. Antibiotics reduce the concentration of free fatty acids in the sebum which also reduces the inflammatory response.

The most frequently used antibiotics for acne are summarized here:

Tetracycline
Tetracycline is usually the first antibiotic prescribed for acne. Tetracycline must be taken on an empty stomach to be the most effective and it frequently causes stomach pain and upset. Tetracycline is not prescribed for pregnant women or children under 8 years of age because it might discolor developing teeth.

Erythromycin
Erythromycin is a very commonly used antibiotic for acne and has several advantages over tetracycline. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness in acne lesions in addition to killing bacteria. It should be taken with food as it can cause nausea on an empty stomach. It can be used by pregnant women if the doctor thinks it is necessary.

Minocycline
Minocycline is a tetracycline derivative and has been used for decades as an acne antibiotic treatment. It especially helps with severe pustular type acne. The absorption of minocycline is decreased with food and should be taken on an empty stomach. Food reduces its absorption by about 10% and milk reduces it by 33% although the decrease in absorption is not as significant as the decrease seen with tetracycline. Minocycline should not be used if you are pregnant or if you are breast-feeding. Major side effects of minocycline include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, skin pigmentation changes, and tooth discoloration.

Part 2 - For part two of this article, head on to www.acneclinicsonline.com where you can also find the truth about homemade acne treatments and acne pictures.