Photo: Antibiotic Treatment
Acne is one of the most common conditions that we go through at a certain point in our lives. In fact, about three out of four teenagers suffer from this condition. And while most sufferers outgrow acne soon enough, there are some unlucky individuals who have to live with it all through their adult lives. If you are one of these people, and if your acne has become so severe that no amount of topical creams and astringents are helping anymore, it may be time for you to try antibiotic treatment for acne.
Safety, of course, should be your primary concern, so do not take any antibiotic without first consulting your doctor. Another reason why you need to consult your doctor is that antibiotic treatment for acne is administered as part of a systemic therapy and you will have to be properly guided through the process. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne are erythromycin and clindamycin and these are usually taken in combination with tetracycline.
The systemic therapy required for severe cases involve a combination of topical antibiotics and systemic doses. This type of therapy is specifically recommended if you are suffering from acne vulgaris, which is the kind of acne that brings with it severe inflammation. Results from this treatment method are usually seen and felt in about four to six weeks. During this period the inflammation begins to subside and in time, the severity of the acne and the number of skin pustules will be reduced.
The most recent antibiotic being used to treat acne is Isotretinoin, which has proven to be consistently effective and to deliver a longer lasting effect. Take note that antibiotic treatment for acne is ill-advised for pregnant women, so you will need to undergo some precautions such as a pregnancy test before starting on it. It may also be necessary to take oral contraceptives while you are undergoing the treatment to prevent complications in case a pregnancy develops.
Because antibiotic treatment is only used for the most severe cases of acne, it also involves more risks than topical cream treatment. But as long as you make sure that a qualified doctor is guiding you through the treatment process then there should be no cause for worry.