Acne Care – Antibiotics

The simplest method of understanding how antibiotics work, is to have a basic knowledge of the mechanisms involved. Acne usually starts around puberty and is the result of the hormonal changes that occur at that time. The production of the male hormone androgen (in both males and females) stimulate the tiny pilosebaceous units in the skin, to produce an excess of sebum and become blocked by an overgrowth of skin cells.

The Pilosebaceous unit consists of, a hair, a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. There are millions of them in the skin, predominantly on the face, back and chest - the areas affected by acne. Sebum is a greasy substance, produced by the sebaceous glands, which produces sebum, necessary to hydrate the skin. When the pilosebaceous unit starts to block, it becomes invaded by a germ called Proprionbacterium Acne's, more conveniently known as P.acne s.

The combination of blockage, excess sebum and infection by P.acne's, causes inflammation and the characteristic appearance of blackheads, red spots (papules) and pustules.

Antibiotics may be used orally (tablets/capsules) or topically (creams etc. applied to the skin). They can help in several ways:

1) By decreasing the number of bacteria which breed in and around the hair follicle.

2) By reducing the amount of chemicals, which are brought to the pilosebaceous unit by the white blood cells, when the inflammation takes place.

3) By reducing the concentration of any free fatty acids in the sebum.

4) By reducing the inflammatory response as a consequence of all the above.

However, Antibiotics have no effect on blocked pores, ie blackheads, if there is no inflammation present.

TETRACYCLINE and OXYTETRACYCLINE: This was first brought out in 1953, and remains the most widely prescribed antibiotic for the inflammatory spots of acne, causing a significant reduction in them. For maximum benefit, it must be taken on an empty stomach with water. It is not suitable for pregnant women and children, as it can affect the growing bones and teeth.

ERYTHROMYCIN: This medicine, kills the bacteria build up in acne lesions, and reduces the redness they cause. This medicine should be taken with food, but can cause nausea and stomach upsets. Again, it is not suitable for pregnant women.

MINOCYCLINE, DOXYCYCLINE AND LYMECYCLINE: These antibiotics are derived from Tetracycline, and have proved very useful in combating the pustule type acne. These antibiotics have similar side effects to Tetracycline. Minocycline can occasionally cause skin pigmentation changes and rarely a severe reaction involving the liver and joints.

CLIMDAMYCIN: This antibiotic is similar to Erythromycin. Because oral Clindamycin can very occasionally cause serious inflammation of the bowel, topical preparations (eg creams, solutions etc.) are used in the treatment of acne.

These are some of the more widely used Antibiotics, for acne and should always be prescribed and used, under the guidance of a Medical Practitioner. Your Medical Practitioner, will be able to give much more advice about the medicines, as the above is just an overview of which antibiotics are the most commonly available.

Information written and supplied by Christine Burden TalkAcne Web Page Manager