The presence or absence of acne is one of the most prominent factors that can affect the self confidence of teenagers. Considering the emphasis that modern society places on good looks, one ugly looking pus spot that makes an appearance early in the morning is enough to spoil the day for your teen.
The fact that acne mostly occurs at puberty points to the fact that it is caused by various hormonal changes that are inevitable during adolescence. The sites where tiny hairs exist on the face or the body are most likely to be affected with acne.
The oil glands associated with these hairs become overly active when the male hormone testosterone acts upon them at puberty. Testosterone is normally present in small quantities in women too. Sometimes the level of this male hormone increases abnormally, causing acne in women.
Acne is basically an inflammation of the skin. The most common cause of acne is an oily skin that leads to proliferation of bacteria, which the body recognizes as foreign invasion. To combat this, the immune system secretes hormone-like substances known as inflammatory mediators. This is the main indication of a link between the immune system health and acne.
The most common treatment that is used to control and tame acne is Benzoyl peroxide. This is the main ingredient used in most topical creams. This acid (normally 2%) kills bacteria and also dries the skin’s inflammatory pores. Salicylate and glycolic acid and some fruit based acid solutions, available over the counter, help in destroying bacteria and shedding skin so that the bacteria do not get a chance to reproduce.
In severe cases the doctor may have to take recourse to the antibiotic alternative . A variety of tetracycline based drugs and its derivatives are used as a systemic antibiotic treatment. In severe cases of cystic acne or chronic acne that do not respond to antibiotics, a retinoic acid derivative known as isotretinoin can be used. However, this is a restricted drug and should be used only under the supervision of a practicing dermatologist.
Topical creams used to treat acne may dry up the skin and cause irritation. Benzoyl peroxide tends to bleach hair and clothing. Antibiotic treatment on the other hand can interfere with the contraceptive pill and tetracycline. Howsoever rare it may be it can also lead to severe headaches at times.
Even though acne is likely to disappear as teens grow into adults, it may leave some disturbing scars. The best case scenario is to start treatment as soon as you see the first pimple on your teen. Bacteria grow faster after the initial invasion. Early treatment can reduce bacteria multiplication and nip it in the bud.
Acne is a condition that can be potentially caused by various internal and external reasons like a stress factor, hormonal changes, bacteria and infection. Herbs for immune system can effectively strengthen the automatic responses of the body when there is an excess production of hormones and therefore can help in prevention of acne. In addition, herbal antibiotics such as aloe, garlic and grapefruit provide an effective protection against bacteria.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Should you use an antibiotic to treat acne?
In persistent cases of acne that do not respond to topical treatment, an antibiotic alternative is usually exercised by doctors. An antibiotic is a drug, synthetic or natural, that kills bacterial proteins while inhibiting bacterial growth alongside.
If it was limited to this action, antibiotics would be the most preferred treatment for numerous bacterial disorders including acne. However, antibiotics cannot differentiate between bacterial proteins and cellular proteins that are part of the body cells. And this is what causes the negative effects of antibiotics, commonly known as side effects.
Tetracycline is the most common and the first-use antibiotic for acne. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and also the least expensive. Tetracycline and its derivative, Doxycycline, are taken on an empty stomach or at least two to three hours after meals as food restricts absorption of the drug. Minocycline, another tetracycline derivative, on the other hand is easily absorbed and can be taken with food.
Tetracycline has the least side effects. But over time, there has been an increased antibiotic resistance towards the drug and it does not seem to work as well these days. This necessitated the development of its derivatives. Doxycycline makes the skin sensitive to sun requiring sun protection every time you go out. Both the derivatives also tend to cause gastrointestinal problems.
Erythromycin is a microlide antibiotic with an antimicrobial spectrum that is wider than that of penicillin. It acts on the protein synthesis of bacteria and slows bacterial growth. The gastrointestinal upsets like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that it can cause are extremely disturbing.
Taken over long periods some antibiotics may cause toxicity including liver toxicity. These antibiotics should also not be ingested during pregnancy. Some antihistamines and antacids may interact with other antibiotics making it imperative to consult a doctor. On the other hand, herbal antibiotics such as garlic, aloe and fruit based mild acids do not have any side effects.
Acne affects two third of all adolescents one time or the other and a considerable proportion of adults as well. An oily skin or a bacterial invasion on a sensitive area is the main causes behind the outbreak. Topical creams do not have the same effect on every one due to difference in types of skin. The urgency for seeking treatment is obvious since if not capped immediately, the infection can spread over a larger area.
Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin. The approach to acne treatment may either be direct or indirect. Topical ointments and drugs form the major part of the direct treatment modalities. There is a strong belief that the hormonal changes that occur at puberty are responsible for occurrence of acne.
When the level of testosterone increases the body secretes hormone like substances to fight the inflammation caused by it. Immune system health and acne are thus interrelated and a strong immune system can effectively prevent acne. A healthy lifestyle that avoids junk food, regular exercise and herbs for strengthening immune system are natural means of preventing and fighting acne.
If it was limited to this action, antibiotics would be the most preferred treatment for numerous bacterial disorders including acne. However, antibiotics cannot differentiate between bacterial proteins and cellular proteins that are part of the body cells. And this is what causes the negative effects of antibiotics, commonly known as side effects.
Tetracycline is the most common and the first-use antibiotic for acne. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and also the least expensive. Tetracycline and its derivative, Doxycycline, are taken on an empty stomach or at least two to three hours after meals as food restricts absorption of the drug. Minocycline, another tetracycline derivative, on the other hand is easily absorbed and can be taken with food.
Tetracycline has the least side effects. But over time, there has been an increased antibiotic resistance towards the drug and it does not seem to work as well these days. This necessitated the development of its derivatives. Doxycycline makes the skin sensitive to sun requiring sun protection every time you go out. Both the derivatives also tend to cause gastrointestinal problems.
Erythromycin is a microlide antibiotic with an antimicrobial spectrum that is wider than that of penicillin. It acts on the protein synthesis of bacteria and slows bacterial growth. The gastrointestinal upsets like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that it can cause are extremely disturbing.
Taken over long periods some antibiotics may cause toxicity including liver toxicity. These antibiotics should also not be ingested during pregnancy. Some antihistamines and antacids may interact with other antibiotics making it imperative to consult a doctor. On the other hand, herbal antibiotics such as garlic, aloe and fruit based mild acids do not have any side effects.
Acne affects two third of all adolescents one time or the other and a considerable proportion of adults as well. An oily skin or a bacterial invasion on a sensitive area is the main causes behind the outbreak. Topical creams do not have the same effect on every one due to difference in types of skin. The urgency for seeking treatment is obvious since if not capped immediately, the infection can spread over a larger area.
Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin. The approach to acne treatment may either be direct or indirect. Topical ointments and drugs form the major part of the direct treatment modalities. There is a strong belief that the hormonal changes that occur at puberty are responsible for occurrence of acne.
When the level of testosterone increases the body secretes hormone like substances to fight the inflammation caused by it. Immune system health and acne are thus interrelated and a strong immune system can effectively prevent acne. A healthy lifestyle that avoids junk food, regular exercise and herbs for strengthening immune system are natural means of preventing and fighting acne.
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