Benefits of antibiotics for acne
Acne is a skin problem that can happen to anyone, both men and women. The main causes are clogging of pores by excess oil production, bacterial infections, and buildup of dead skin cells.
Generally, acne can be overcome in an easy way, such as using acne medications purchased at pharmacies and regularly cleansing the skin.
Even so, the type of acne that is quite severe and is in the deepest layers of the skin, such as nodules and cysts, requires treatment from a doctor. Therefore, you may need treatment from a doctor to treat infected and inflamed acne.
One of the methods performed by doctors to overcome severe acne is to prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are useful to eradicate acne-causing bacteria.
Antibiotics also aim to reduce the amount of acne and redness that occurs. If the number of acne is getting less, the smaller the risk of acne scars occurring. The types of antibiotics for acne are divided into two, namely oral and topical antibiotics.
In addition to giving antibiotics, the doctor will also prescribe other acne medications, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Because, antibiotics cannot work alone and need other active compounds in order for acne to heal.
Antibiotics For Acne List
Clindamycin
Clindamycin is one of the oral antibiotics that can be used to overcome acne problems. Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that serves to treat bacterial infections in almost all organs such as teeth, skin, urinary tract, joints, bones, etc.
Some doctors even use these antibiotics to mix on acne creams or take them directly because these antibiotics are useful to relieve infections in acne and eradicate acne-causing bacteria (P. Acnes). Both regular acne and inflamed acne even blackheads can be solved with this antibiotic. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness of inflamed skin.
Although you have taken this antibiotic, but you must also keep the skin clean and prevent clogging of hair follicles that can be a trigger for the appearance of acne. To prevent adverse side effects, taking clindamycin should be with a prescription or doctor’s instructions whose dosage has been adjusted to your condition.
Erythromycin
The antibiotic ointment for subsequent acne is erythromycin. Antibiotic erythromycin for acne is found in the form of gels, liquids, and lotions.
Just like clindamycin, erythromycin for topical acne serves to reduce the number of acne-causing bacteria and reduce redness and inflammation.
The use of erythromycin for acne needs to be accompanied by other medications, such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, to maximize the results obtained and prevent the occurrence of antibiotic resistance.
Most people probably won’t experience serious side effects when applying erythromycin.
However, certain side effects may occur in some people, such as mild skin irritation, burning or stinging sensations in the skin, redness of the skin, and dry skin.
If these side effects are considered quite annoying, or accompanied by the appearance of skin rashes, it is best to consult a doctor immediately.
Not only in topical form, erythromycin for acne is also available in oral form.
Tetracycline
This antibiotic is most widely prescribed for acne, the dose given is getting longer and less along with the decrease in acne lesions seen. But these antibiotics should not be given to pregnant women or children under the age of 9 years.
Minocycline
This antibiotic is a derivative of tetracycline which is effectively already used as an acne treatment. The initial dose given is usually 50-100 mg per day. But the side effects that appear usually occur discoloration of the skin and teeth if consumed for a long period of time.
Azithromycin
This antibiotic drug becomes an alternative tetracycline to treat acne. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory content can suppress the growth of acne-causing bacteria while reducing the severity of symptoms.
A 2019 study in the World Journal of Plastic Surgery showed the effectiveness of azithromycin with other antibiotics in treating acne.
Researchers found the use of oral azithromycin with topical erythromycin was much more effective at treating acne than tetracycline with topical erythromycin. The drug is also known to be more effective at reducing inflammation than tetracycline.
Although more effective, these antibiotics are more common as a backup drug. When tetracycline does not show good changes in acne-prone skin, you will be prescribed this antibiotic.
