Antibiotics for acne do a number of things. Probably the most significant is that they decrease the number of bacteria in and around the hair follicle. Effectively, antibiotics work by reducing the chemicals produced by the white blood cells which irritate the skin. Antibiotics for acne also reduce the inflammatory response by lowering the concentration of free fatty acids in the sebum. Topical antibiotics eliminate the propionibacterium which is the organism largely responsible for aggravating acne. How long a person needs to take antibiotics for acne will depend on the severity of the infection.
There are two main types of antibiotics for acne: oral and topical. Some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne are:
- CLINDAMYCIN. Clindamycin can be used as a gel or a lotion, however, if you have ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-induced colitis should avoid this product. It is a topical antibiotic and must not be taken orally.
- TETRACYCLINE. Tetracycline is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for acne. It reduces inflammation and destroys the acne causing bacteria. However, it may take several weeks to a few months to begin to see benefit from using this treatment and it must continue to be used even after there is no sign of the acne or else it will recur. Side effects may include include sensitivity to light, vulnerability to sunburn, dizziness, nausea, hives and vaginal thrush in women. Pregnant women should not take tetracycline because it can cause discoloration of the growing baby’s teeth. Similarly, children under the age of twelve should not be given this drug because it could potentially discolor their teeth.
- ERYTHROMYCIN. Erythromycin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for the treatment of acne. It has an anti-inflammatory action and is available as a solution, gel or ointment. Side effects include possible skin irritation in sensitive people, nausea and stomach disorders.
- METRONIDAZOLE. Metronidazole is used to treat acne that is actually rosacea. It does not have any known serious side effects.
- MINOCYCLINE. Minocycline is a derivative of tetracycline and is particularly helpful for acne lesions containing pus. Side effects can include nausea, light-headedness, discoloration of teeth and change in skin pigmentation.
Antibiotics for acne are often initially prescribed in high doses which are gradually reduced as the acne improves. It can take a long time for the antibiotics to completely eradicate acne. However, studies have found that antibiotics are generally effective fifty percent of the time. Considering the possible side effects, and the destruction of friendly bacteria in the body such as in the digestive tract which has a negative effect on health, antibiotics should be used cautiously.
Before you decide to treat your acne with antibiotics and other pharmaceutical preparations, consider the fact that acne doesn’t occur in societies that do not have processed foods, in particular refined carbohydrates and sugar. These ‘foods’ cause insulin levels to spike and also release IGF-1, an insulin-like growth factor which increases the production of skin cells and testosterone levels. Testosterone increases the production of sebum from the oil glands and combined with the multiplication of skin cells (keratinocytes) dramatically increases the likelihood of acne occurring. Add stress and you are even more likely to have severe and extended outbreaks of this skin problem.
There is clearly an obvious connection between the modern western diet and the prevalence of acne. So before risking the side effects of antibiotics for acne, wouldn’t it make sense to avoid all processed foods and eat a natural and healthy diet? Not only will you enjoy better general health, chances are your acne will disappear without the use of antibiotics for acne.