Acne Control With Antibiotics - Do Antibiotics Treat Acne Or Make It Worse?
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People often view antibiotics as a panacea or universal remedy that cures acne. The truth is that antibiotics, either oral or topical, can only treat and control some forms of acne. In most cases, this type of treatment doesn't get rid of acne completely because it does not address the underlying cause of acne. Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes is the bacteria that has been identified as a cause of inflammation in acne sufferers. P. acnes normally lives within the follicle of the skin. However, due to other causes, the bacteria can multiply and infect portions of the skin, leading to severe acne. There are also other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus that can thrive in a medium already infected by P. acnes. It is in these cases that certain antibiotics are prescribed by a dermatologist.
P. acnes is also susceptible to substances such as benzoyl peroxide and other antibacterial agents. It is also susceptible to some plant oils that have antibacterial properties. In cases where these treatments fail, acne sufferers are prescribed antibiotics such as doxycycline or erythromycin. A dermatologist usually starts by prescribing an antibiotic cream that can be applied on the skin. If the acne is very severe, an oral antibiotic is also prescribed. Under no circumstances should a person start to take any type of antibiotics without a doctor's recommendation. Self medicating with antibiotics can have very bad side-effects, and the worst part is that it can make acne worse.
Before starting any antibiotic treatment, a patient must get a bacteriologic test in order to identify if there is any other type of bacterial infection present. Also, it's very important to make sure that you have no allergies to the antibiotic that you'll be taking. The biggest downside of taking antibiotics for reducing P. acnes is that this bacteria can develop resistance quite fast. It usually takes 3 to 6 months before P. acnes becomes completely resistant to most antibiotics. This is why most dermatologists advise acne sufferers to also use benzoyl peroxide while taking oral antibiotics.
What are the health risks of taking antibiotics? The biggest problem when treating acne with antibiotics is that you need to take them for long periods of time. This involves some risks that come from prolonged antibiotic use. Antibiotics affect the immune function by modifying the intestinal flora. It is known that our immunity is deeply related to gut health. When friendly bacteria are killed by antibiotics, we start to develop intestinal issues. Low immunity can lead to any type of illness or disease. Also, an acne condition can persist even longer in people with poor immune function. Prolonged antibiotics use has been linked with an increased breast cancer risk in women. According to a recent study, women that have taken antibiotics for more than 500 days during their lifetime had a double fold chance of developing breast cancer. Getting an yeast infection from antibiotics is very frequent. Candida albicans can develop in high numbers in people that have taken antibiotics. Candida can be very hard to get rid of, and it has been linked to other severe illnesses, such as leaky gut syndrome. Antibiotics use has also been linked with developing food allergies. A food allergy can lead to more inflammation inside the body, and can even make acne worse. Prolonged antibiotics use is also linked to chronic fatigue syndrome. The exact mechanism that leads to this is yet unknown, but it is related to suppression of the immune function. Liver and kidney toxicity can happen due to overuse of antibiotics. It is known that these treatments can affect organ functioning so it is important to discuss any healthy issues with your doctor before taking any antibiotics.
Bacterial infection that leads to acne or other health issues is only the effect of a malfunctioning inside the body. It may be the immune system that needs boosting in order to get rid of acne and bacterial overgrowth. Overall health can determine if a condition can be effectively treated. Taking antibiotics may have some temporary control over active acne, but in most cases the acne comes back after some time.
About the Author
Many people view antibiotics as a universal remedy to cure acne. In reality, antibiotics only control acne but fail to cure acne because they do not address the underlying causes of acne. Visit http://www.acnepimplehelp.com for natural remedies that get rid of acne naturally and effectively. Don't forget to collect your FREE guide to making your very own cleanser, toner and moisturizer for acne-prone skin!
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