Acne and antibiotics

Antibiotics taken by mouth such as tetrasycline , doxycycline, monocycline or erythromycin are often prescribed for moderate or severe cases, especially when there is a lot of oacne on the back or chest. Antibiotics reduce the bacteria in the follicle. Treatment should last for at least 6 month and depending on the response, may last for 2 to 3 years. However, a point often missed is that bacteria is only part of the equation, and not a very important one either. You can have the bacteria yet not have acne.

This may come as a surprise to some. However, the reason is quiet simple.It is not the bacteria alone, but rather is quiet simple. It is not the bacteria alone, but rather bacteria being given the wrong conditions, conditions that it will thrive upon and cause acne. The bacteria attacks and trives upon the trapped sebum in the skin pores. Had there been no clogging of the pores due the dead skin cells or the over production of sebum, the bacteria no matter how abundant would not be able to do anything.

This is why antibiotics, though powerful stuff in fighting bacteria are not actually the real solution. This is why many people have reported little change in their acne conditions, even after long use of heavy antibiotics . In most cases, acne reappears after some time. This is because no antibiotic can finish the acne bacteria ( the one that causes acne ) forever. The bacteria in most cases, simply replicates back, even more immune and dangerous. It is not possible to remain on antibiotics for long periods, due the numerous side effects, particularly weakening of the immume system.

For those who do take antibiotics, an impotant precaution is that never stop antibiotics suddenly as the acne may flare up badly if this done.

When taking oral antibiotics, some women may develop a vaginal yeast infection. If this occurs, discontinue your medicine and contact your dermatologist immediately for treatment of yeast.

There are also antibiotics that are applied to the skin. These are used in severe cases of acne. When large red bump (cysts) are present, the dermatologist may inject cortisone directly into the bump to help them go away.

As a whole, in most cases we do not recommend treating acne with heavy antibiotics. Particulary when there are safer herbal alternatives that work naturaly with the body’s own defense mechanism and are in some cases more effective in fighting acne bacteria than conventional antibiotics.