Acne Medication
By admin | June 2, 2008
A variety of systemic agents used to clear acne include interlesional corticosteroid injection, isotretinoin, oral antibiotics (tetracycline and erythromycin) and oral contraceptives. Interlesional corticosteroid injection is a much - diluted corticosteroid injected by the dermatologist to treat severely inflamed cysts and prevent scarring. It helps treat acne by “melting” the cyst over a period of 3-5 days. Isotretinoin (a derivative of vitamin A) is a very effective oral drug that can help prevent scarring but because of its potential for serious side effects it is contraindicated in pregnant women and in many other conditions. Isotretinoin acts by reducing the size of the sebaceous glands thus preventing the excess secretion of oil and thereby decreasing the growth of bacteria. It has been estimated that up to 90% of patients’ treatment with isotretinoin result in complete or almost complete recovery from cystic acne.
Tetracycline and erythromycin are effective broad-spectrum oral antibiotics used to treat moderate to severe inflammatory acne. Tetracycline reduces inflammatory lesions of acne but is contraindicated in pregnant and breast feeding women, and children of less than 8 years of age. Doxycycline and minocycline, the synthetic derivatives of tetracycline, are also used to treat acne. Appropriate oral contraceptives that are valuable adjuncts in the treatment of acne in females include: ethynodiol, norgestimate, norethindrone and norethindrone acetate. They act by inhibiting the overactivity of sebaceous glands (oil glands).
Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, and sodium sulfacetamide are the prescription topical antimicrobials used to treat acne vulgaris in the United States. Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that has bacteriostatic and keratolytic properties. Benzoyl peroxide is inexpensive and best at killing P. acnes. When used in combination with antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin), benzoyl peroxide increases efficacy and reduces antibiotic resistance. Clindamycin is a safe and well tolerated semi-synthetic antibiotic that acts by reducing P. acnes and decreasing inflammation. Topical erythromycin is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent but may cause skin dryness and possible irritation. Sodium sulfacetamide products mostly contain sulfur and are used in patients who cannot tolerate other topical antimicrobials.
Several types of prescription topical retinoids used to treat acne include adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin. Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid analog that unclogs pores and demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties. Tazarotene is a second-line retinoid option that helps treat acne by stopping the development of new comedones. Tretinoin is a natural retinoid that works to gradually unclog pores and keep them unplugged.
Acne provides detailed information about acne, acne medication, acne products, and more. Acne is affiliated with Acne Skin Care Products.
Tags: acne, Acne medication, acne productsAdult Acne
By admin | April 29, 2008
The basic adult acne lesion, called the comedo, is a sebaceous follicle plugged with sebum, tiny hairs, dead cells and sometimes bacteria. Closed comedones with some pathological changes in pilosebaceous duct (hypercornification of the duct) are called whiteheads. Open comedones that present when whiteheads reach the skin’s surface and touch air are called blackheads. Their black color is not dirt, but the melanin (skin pigment) that accumulates in the opening of the oil gland. Other troublesome acne lesions can develop such as papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Papules and pustules are blockages of oil glands that are inflamed. Papules are red lesions (pimples). Pustules are pimples topped by pus-filled lesions that are usually red at the base. Nodules are large, painful, solid lesions that are deep-seated within the skin. They may develop additional infection and have the potential to produce long-term scarring. Cystic acne is considered the severe acne form. They are tender, sensitive, deeper, painful, pus-filled lesions that cause scarring.
The goals of adult acne treatment should include clearance of acne, prevention of scarring and, morbidity minimization. Patient education is the first and at times the most crucial step for effective acne treatment. It is essential to dispel myths that consumption of greasy food, potato chips, sugar and chocolates are responsible for the development of acne. The patient must be advised to cleanse the skin gently and use a non-comedogenic moisturizer. The patient should also avoid picking and rubbing the skin and using scented or harsh skin products. Other important preventive measures should include use of proper shaving technique and being consistent with the skin care regimen. Drinking more water can also help skin stay healthy. Evidence states that modification of the testosterone dose; dosing schedule or delivery method helps improve acne symptoms.
Patients with mild to severe adult acne form can be treated with topical or oral medicines. Although systemic therapy is mainly used for treatment of severe form of adult acne, it is sometimes needed for moderate cases. A variety of systemic agents used to clear adult acne include interlesional corticosteroid injection, isotretinoin, oral antibiotics (tetracycline and erythromycin) and oral contraceptives.
Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, and sodium sulfacetamide are the prescription topical antimicrobials used to treat adult acne in the United States. Several types of prescription topical retinoids used to treat adult acne include adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin.
Acne provides detailed information about acne, acne medication, acne products, and more. Acne is affiliated with Acne Skin Care Products.
Tags: acne, Acne medication, acne productsTreating Back and Body Acne
By admin | April 17, 2008
Back and body acne is a common problem for many acne sufferers. Unfortunately, there are not as many treatment options available for those that suffer from body acne, and just as with normal acne treatment, most of these treatments simply do not work. In order to put an end to stubborn back and body acne, you need to understand your skin and treat it effectively.
Body acne is different from facial acne.
Because the skin on areas such as your back is different from the skin on your face, the type of acne you suffer from can be different as well. Generally, almost all cases of facial acne are caused by an excessive production of skin oil (sebum) by the glands in your pores. This is largely the case for body acne as well. However, besides skin oil, your pores can also be clogged by a build-up of dead cells. The important thing to understand is that areas such as your back may be much more susceptible to this later cause of acne.
The layer of skin on your back is thicker than on your face, and is less frequently exposed to the elements and other factors that could aid in exfoliation (the process of shedding dead skin cells). Many people only half-heartedly wash their backs in the shower, and this may simply not be enough to scrape away those dead cells.
To make sure you’re exfoliating your entire body properly, leave that bar of soap alone. Buy some gentle body wash and a bath sponge with some texture to it. Wash thoroughly every day in those hard-to-reach places. If you need to purchase a back-scrubber to reach everywhere, then get one. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t need to scrape hard against your skin. Any sponge will usually exfoliate the top layer of your skin much better than your hands.
Once you begin exfoliating properly, you’ll probably notice results fast, but there’s still the matter of preventing acne from forming in the first place.
Take a moment to consider if you are doing anything that causes acne. If you frequently wear clothing that isn’t quite clean, you may be giving bacteria an extra opportunity to form. This is especially important for clothing that hugs close to your skin and doesn’t breath well. If you wear tight clothes and exercise, make sure not to sit around in sweaty clothes for long.
Can acne treatments help?
Chances are that many of the same acne treatments that work on your face will work on your back and body, but they may not be quite as potent on the thicker skin of your back. Reading the reviews for some acne skin care products may help you learn which one is right for you. However, if you really want to prevent acne from forming, you need to prevent your oil glands from over-producing. Internal acne treatments are the best choice for this, as they are the only treatments that can really prevent acne, and it’s also just easier to take a pill rather than trying to apply a cream in a place such as your back. There are a few vitamin supplements that can help with acne prevention.
Vitamin A can help by strengthening your skin cells and reducing the production levels of your oil glands. However, too much vitamin A can have serious side effects, so it’s best to take it simply with a multivitamin so that you are sure to get your recommended daily value. Zinc is a mineral that also aids in regulating your oil glands, and is a powerful antioxidant that can eliminate toxins in your skin cells. Taking a zinc supplement every day has been shown to reduce acne for many. Too much zinc can cause stomach pain, so just be sure to listen to your body.
Vitamin B5 is the safest and most effective vitamin for acne treatment. The doses required are higher than for other vitamins, but since B5 is water-soluble there is no health risk at all. Vitamin B5 assists oil regulation by enhancing the rate at which your body metabolizes skin oil, and thus can prevent most cases of acne when taken in sufficient doses.
By exfoliating properly on the outside and preventing acne on the inside, almost anyone can be rid of body acne in just a few weeks.
Don Amodeo is the webmaster of Acne-Vitamins.com, where you can find vitamin B5 acne products and a free guide to vitamins for acne. This article may be republished provided that the author’s information and all active links are left intact.
Tags: acne products, acne treatment, acne vitamins, back acne, body acne, clear skin, vitamins for acne