Antibiotics for Acne Treatment – Are They Really Effective?

<p style="text-align: justify;">Probably some of the luckiest people in the world are those who did not have to deal with even a single pimple in their entire lives and stress over medications such as antibiotics for acne. Acne, that hideous skin problem that leaves us scarred not only physically but also emotionally, has affected millions of people throughout the world. Initially, it makes the skin red and inflamed and once gone, acne leaves the skin deeply pitted and heavily blemished. To make matters worse, it appears at the time when most people are very concerned about their appearance and how people perceive them. Teenagers who suffer from acne often experience ridicule and humiliation, making them prone to psychological problems such as depression. To help treat this problem of theirs, dermatologists prescribe antibiotics for acne.

Acne develops due to the instability of hormonal levels during puberty as the body changes from childhood to adulthood. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles to produce too much oil or sebum. This, combined with the dead cells inside the follicle, blocks the pores producing what they call as comedones, or simply whiteheads and blackheads. Once bacteria join in, the hair follicle becomes swollen, producing pimples. Hence, antibiotics for acne are prescribed to kill the bacteria inside the hair follicles.

Many people object to the use of antibiotics for acne treatment due to its negative effects. However, they are prescribed by dermatologists and they stop acne so how can they be bad? Here are some pros and cons to using antibiotics for acne treatment.

Let us start with the positive side of using antibiotics for acne. Firstly, these antibiotics kill pimple-causing bacteria and if these bacteria are gone, pimples cannot develop. They target specific kinds of bacteria so they do not mess up with the good bacteria that aid in certain biochemical processes of our system. Secondly, antibiotics for acne can be easily administered; you will just have to drink them an hour or so before or after a meal. This is very important because it spares you from the demanding rituals of acne treatment using topical medications. Some people can get very lazy so antibiotics for acne are good for them. The third positive reason for using antibiotics for acne is that you can see the results immediately unlike topical prescriptions; there are instances when a very long time is required for topical medications to work. Also, they have very little effects on the skin whereas some gels and ointments make the skin itchy, very dry, and sensitive to the sun.

On the other hand, there are also negative effects of using antibiotics for acne treatment. You can develop allergic reactions with these antibiotics if you are not careful in taking them. Another is that, antibiotics for acne can make certain strains of bacteria immune to the drug, increasing your susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections in the future. Moreover, as with all drugs, antibiotics for acne treatment pose some side effects and these include nausea, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Some antibiotics for acne should not be taken by pregnant women because they can cause some birth defects. For some people, antibiotics for acne do not seem to work in the sense that the acne does not disappear or even lessen in number.

Antibiotics for acne are staples in clinics of almost all dermatologists so you will not have any difficulties in finding them. Some of the most prescribed antibiotics for acne are the following:

Tetracycline

This antibiotic for acne treatment is one of the most prescribed by dermatologists because they rarely fail to do their job. Tetracycline (500 mg) is taken twice a day on an empty stomach; otherwise, its efficacy would be decreased.  However, this must not be prescribed to pregnant women and very young children.

Minocycline

This drug is a derivative of tetracycline. Its similarity with the previously mentioned antibiotic for acne is that there is a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug when it is taken with food. However, the decrease is less pronounced compared to that of tetracycline. Minocycline targets pustular acne specifically but this also works for other types of acne.

Doxycycline

This drug should be taken with food or else it can cause nausea. People who experience no improvement with tetracycline take this antibiotic for acne instead.

There are also other factors that may determine whether a person should or should not take antibiotic for acne such as age, allergies, and health conditions. Bear in mind that antibiotics for acne are prescription drugs and they should not be taken without the consent of a physician.

 

Does Acne Vulgaris Make You Feel Ugly?

<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Here Are Some Tips To Fight this Skin Problem

Acne, or in medical terms acne vulgaris, is every teenager’s worst nightmare. acne vulgaris translates to “common acne” which indicates the presence of whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed pimples. This skin problem kicks off during the puberty years when the body experiences several changes in preparation for adulthood. Hormonal levels fluctuate during these years and this indirectly causes acne vulgaris. Hormones cause an over production of oil in the sebaceous glands but this is not enough to cause acne vulgaris. The problem starts when oil combines with the dead skin cells from the lining of the hair follicle, blocking the pore opening and producing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). To make matters worse, bacteria joins in and makes the comedones red and swollen, producing acne vulgaris.


acne vulgaris is very unappealing and this can make acne sufferers look down upon themselves.  This is very crucial, especially for teenagers because they are at the stage at which appearance is very important. Throughout the world, acne vulgaris is one of the causes of teenage suicides.

Mild to moderate cases of acne vulgaris can be easily treated by some simple skin care regimens and over-the-counter medications. However, severe acne vulgaris may need to the knowledge and skills of a dermatologist. Here are some skin care tips and medications to help solve your problem with acne vulgaris.

Cleanse, tone, and moisturize.

Letting your skin shine uncontrollably is a major no-no. Wash your face with a mild cleanser but be careful to overdo it since excessive washing can dry out your skin, making sebaceous glands produce more oil and acne vulgaris. Washing your face two to three times a day is enough to remove excess oil and dirt.

Use a toner to control shine throughout the day. However, choose a product that does not contain alcohol as this can dry out your skin. People with acne vulgaris are wary about using moisturizers but even oily skin needs to be moisturized. Select moisturizers that are light and oil-free to prevent the formation of acne vulgaris. Also, read the label of all the products that you put on your skin, including your makeup and see to it that they are labeled ‘non-comedogenic’; this means that the products do not clog pores and cause acne vulgaris.

Mind your habits.

We usually fail to realize it but there are habits that contribute to the production of acne vulgaris. It has been said over and over again that we should avoid touching our face with our very dirty hands; doing so will only spread the bacteria and cause comedones to become inflamed. No matter how tempted you may be, do not pick your zits. This will cause deep scarring and may even cause infections since bacteria on our face may travel down to the blood stream. Also, use clean towels, bed sheets, and pillow cases.

Eat a balanced diet.

Just like other body parts, the skin needs nourishment and you can get these essential nutrients by eating the right foods at the right proportions. You need the right amount of fats to maintain the structure of the skin cells and the correct amount of vitamins and minerals to keep your skin healthy and radiant especially when you have skin problems such as acne vulgaris.

Exfoliate.

Using an exfoliant is necessary if you have acne vulgaris because clearly, your hair follicles produce so much dead skin cells. A gentle exfoliation will scrub away all these dead skin to reveal a smoother and glowing skin. Be sure to rub the exfoliant gently because most exfoliants already have a coarse texture and do this at most twice so as not to damage the face’s delicate skin.

Be cautious about using different anti-acne products all at once.

Benzoyl peroxide is a common product that can eliminate acne vulgaris by killing the bacteria present deep down the pores. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, removes the dead skin cells that are trapped inside the pores to prevent blockage. Clindamycin is an anti-bacterial product and sulfur works to dry out acne vulgaris. These are all effective to fight against acne vulgaris but please, do not use them all at once. You will be wreaking havoc on your skin. Try using moisturizers with tea tree oil; this product has anti-bacterial properties but also works to soothe the inflamed skin due to acne vulgaris.

It may seem like acne vulgaris is very difficult to treat but by following these simple tips, you will see that your skin will be clearer in no time.

 

Differentiating Facts from Myths: The True Causes of Acne

<p style="text-align: justify;">Acne is a major skin problem that has plagued people regardless of age, race, and gender and many people are dying to know the causes of acne so they can avoid this. Before getting to know the true causes of acne, let us first study how this develops and how it affects those who suffer from it.

Not a child, but not yet and adult – this is how confusing and difficult puberty can sometimes get. At this stage, different bodily changes are taking place: increase in height, more pronounced body shape, and the appearance of acne.  The sebaceous glands of the skin produces oil to keep it moisturized and protected but during puberty, hormonal imbalance kicks in, making the sebaceous glands more active in producing oil. Sebaceous glands are located inside hair follicles, the part of the skin where hair grows out. Hair follicles regularly shed off their outer lining, which is composed of dead skin cells and once these combine with oil, blackheads and whiteheads, collectively called comedones, appear. These comedones become inflamed when bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes enter the follicles, forming pimples or acne.

Low self-esteem and self-confidence are exhibited by acne sufferers because of the skin disorder’s attractive appearance. There have been reported cases of acne sufferers who isolate themselves from the public and develop depression and suicidal tendencies. Hence, it is very important to know the causes of acne and to fight against them. However, the causes of acne are not very clear and there have been misconceptions about it. Let us start debunking those myths and reveal and explain the true causes of acne to stop all these confusion once and for all.

It has been discussed that hormonal changes are one of the causes of acne and this is very common during teenage years but for some, this may persist even through adulthood. If you are already in your 20’s and is still troubled by acne, you should consult your dermatologist to confirm whether your hormonal imbalance is one the causes of acne.

Heredity is one of the causes of acne and this is true especially for those who suffer severe acne beyond their teenage years. Some are genetically predisposed to develop acne so if your mother, father, and/or relatives have their genes as one of the causes of acne, there are high chances that you too will be prone to it. So you better secure an appointment with your dermatologist to treat acne before it becomes severe.

Some skin products are one of the causes of acne specifically those that do not have the label ‘non-comedogenic’. They can block pores and cause pimples. In some cases, allergies to some ingredients of skin products are known to be one of the causes of acne.  Be sure to read the label before selecting skin care products or makeup.

Another one of the many causes of acne are skin irritations which can be brought about by abrasive cleansers, excessive cleansing, and unclean facial towels and pillow cases. You can also irritate your skin by touching it with dirty hands and picking your pimples.

There have been debates whether to classify certain foods as causes of acne. There are beliefs that peanuts are one of the causes of acne, and so are chocolates and oily foods.  However, there are no scientific studies that can back them up. Peanuts are very rich in protein and chocolates are high in mood-enhancing substances called serotonins. Eating oily foods in excessive amounts, on the other hand, causes cardiovascular problems, but it is not proven to be one of the causes of acne.

Stress is one of the causes of acne, although it does not cause it directly. It is one of the causes of acne primarily because it makes hormonal levels unstable, triggering the sebaceous glands to produce too much oil and we know that this, combined with dead skin cells and bacteria is one of the causes of acne.

The skin needs vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and E for nourishment but vitamin deficiency is not one of the causes of acne. Vitamin deficiency may cause dull skin but it does not make the skin oilier.

After knowing the real causes of acne, staying away from them is the most logical thing to do. Keeping in mind these causes of acne will make your skin clear and blemish free and not only that, you will get a confidence boost to improve your interaction with other people.

Do you find yourself stressing over back acne?

<h2>Here are a Few Effective Tips that Can Help Youh2> <p><strong>acne or “bacne”, as called by some people, is acne that appears on the upper back, just where the shoulder blades are, but sometimes spreads through the middle and lower back. back acne is similar to facial acne in the sense that it is produced due to the combination of three factors: oily skin, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

back acne usually appears during the adolescent stage wherein the body prepares itself for its transition into adulthood. This stage in one’s life is accompanied by unstable levels of different hormones such as testosterone. Men and women both secrete this hormone although testosterone levels in men are much higher. This hormone, along with androgen, triggers the sebaceous glands to produce excessive amounts of oil.

The sebaceous glands are contained in the hair follicles, or that part in the skin where hair grows out. The cell lining of the hair follicles is shed every now and then and once this combines with oil, comedones appear. Comedones are the dermatological terms for what we commonly know as whiteheads and blackheads. Adding bacteria into this combination would result to the formation of the inflamed facial and back acne.

Acne is very unsightly and although back acne can be hidden by wearing clothes that do not expose the back they can still cause low self-esteem especially in teenagers. In worst cases, severe facial and back acne can drive a person to be depressed and commit suicide. Hence, addressing acne immediately would prevent these things from happening. For those who have problems banishing back acne, some valuable tips are listed below.

Cleanse regularly and thoroughly.

As mentioned, bacteria cause blackheads and whiteheads to become inflamed, causing facial and back acne and there is no perfect breeding ground for bacteria than dirty skin. With all our daily activities, dust and dirt accumulate on our skin so regular and thorough cleansing is a must. Always remember to take a shower after doing any strenuous physical activity because perspiration can invite bacteria.

The skin on the back is less delicate compared to the skin on the face so more aggressive measures can be done to get rid of back acne. Use an anti-bacterial soap and gently scrub your back with a clean cloth or loofah. Be careful not to over cleanse, though, because this can aggravate oil production and make your skin oilier and produce more back acne.

Live a healthy lifestyle.

The health of the body is reflected on the skin; a radiant and glowing skin indicates a healthy body whereas a dull and dry skin indicates otherwise. A balanced diet supplies the skin with the necessary nutrients for it to function well. Also, vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables allow the skin cells to regenerate and help the skin fight against disorders such as back acne.

Exercise keeps the body fit and ensures proper blood flow. It also strengthens the immune system to prevent diseases and infections. However, remember to clean up and change clothes after exercising to prevent the accumulation of perspiration that can cause back acne.

Stress can contribute to the production of facial and back acne so adequate rest and relaxation are also essential in maintaining a clear skin and a healthy body. Adequate sleep allows the skin to repair itself from the damage it has incurred during the day so follow what the experts say, sleep for at least 8 hours a day.

Be careful in choosing the products you use to fight against back acne.

back acne can be treated using a myriad of products ranging from topical gels to oral medicines. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the most commonly prescribed medications for back acne. The former clears the dead skin cells while the latter kills pimple-causing bacteria. However, in some severe cases, back acne does not clear up, making people resort to more aggressive drugs such as isotretinoin but this should be used under the supervision of a physician as there have been studies that this drug causes fetal abnormalities in pregnant women.

Additionally, use products that are labeled as ‘non-comedogenic’, which means that they do not block pores and cannot cause facial or back acne. It would also be beneficial to check the label of the products avoid any allergic reactions that can trigger the production of more back acne.

There are high chances that back acne can be banished by following these simple tips religiously. However, if your case of back acne is severe, having an appointment with the dermatologist can alleviate your case. Stronger medications may be prescribed to fight back acne and other types of acne that you may have.