Most of us use standard scrubs, gels, maybe even multivitamins to treat acne.  But there are some people who go to their dermatologist or doctor for antibiotic prescriptions to attempt to treat their acne.  Most people prefer less invasive procedures, but sometimes it can be necessary or at least seem necessary at the moment.

            Acne antibiotics work in several ways.  First, they attack the bacteria to decrease their numbers around the follicles.  Second, they reduce the white blood cell chemicals that might irritate the skin.  Finally, they reduce free fatty acids in the skin, which reduces inflammation in itself. 

            The most popular acne antibiotic is called tetracycline.  It is usually prescribed in doses of 500mg twice a day and is used until there is a significant decrease in acne.  At that time, it is decreased to 250mg twice a day, or it can be discontinued at this time.  However, it has to be taken on an empty stomach to be most effective.  And it should not be used my pregnant women or those under 9 years of age.

            The second is known as erythromycin.  Unlike tetracycline, it has anti inflammatory properties, reducing redness while killing bacteria.  It is typically prescribed in doses of 250mg-500mg twice per day.  But it can cause upset stomach and nausea in many users.

            Minocycline is a tetracycline derivative that is especially useful against pustular acne.  However, it can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, skin pigmentation changes, and tooth discoloration.  The tooth and skin changes usually take place with extended use.  However, for those that cannot tolerate the above, doxycycline has to be taken with food.  But it is more likely to cause nausea, sensitivity to the sun, and sunburns.

            It should be noted that any antibiotic could actually cause candida vaginal yeast infections in women, though tetracycline seems to cause this more often than others.  They can also decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.  All in all, most acne antibiotics are for more severe cases of acne.  However, for those considering them for less severe cases, all side effects and risks should be seriously considered.

            An uncommon and severe form of acne, acne conglobata is characterized by burrowing and interconnecting abscesses that often turns into irregular scarring.  In many individuals who experience this, it results in extreme disfiguring and lowered levels of self esteem.  They often occur in groups of 2 or 3, and cysts can develop that contain foul smelling materials and have to be drained.  They are generally found on the chest, shoulders, back, buttocks, upper arms, thighs, and around the face. 

            Though there is no discovered cause for acne conglobata, some have suggested that it may be the result of a sudden disappearance of pustular acne, or it may be just another recurrence of acne that has been dormant for a number of years.  Some have also suggested that this particular form of acne may be hereditary. 

            The only treatment yet found for acne conglobata is isotretinoin, otherwise known as a form of vitamin A or accutane.  In some cases, antibiotics have been prescribed.  But isotretinoin has been found to be the most successful.  However, one should keep in mind that accutane is only to be used in severe cases with all the possible side effects.  To add to that, even if initial treatment is effective and gets rid of all of it, patients should revisit their dermatologist on a regular basis for any signs of another flare up.  Dermatologists can also cut out and otherwise treat the scars so they will be less noticeable. 

            In terms of prevention, as there is no definitive cause, there is also no definitive method of prevention.  You can’t prevent what you don’t see coming.  You should still keep your skin clean and pores clear in order to prevent acne vulgaris from forming.  But in terms of acne conglobata, the only known prevention is to use accutane early or hope for the best.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1072716-overview

            We’ve received various emails and customer reviews touting toothpaste as a common and more importantly affordable, spot acne treatment.  And being that we trust not just one, but a number of different customers, we decided to do some research on the treatment, to give our readers a real answer.

            What we found is that many toothpaste brands contain an ingredient known as triclosan, which is an antibacterial often included in soaps, deodorants, body washes, and even acne treatments, but only as a preservative.  Therefore, if used as a spot treatment right before your big day, it may actually help to clean the spot of bacteria that may be contributing to that ugly red spot on your forehead, chin, etc. 

            But, we also found that toothpaste tends to contain ingredients that can easily irritate skin.  If you have normal skin, let alone sensitive skin, you might want to avoid this treatment, as it may actually make your ugly red pimple worse.  It may enflame it making it red and irritated, and some of our readers and other site’s readers alike have reported a burning sensation when applying toothpaste to the zit.  Some continue to use it, because they take this burning as a sign that it is working, when in fact it is doing more damage than good.  Especially if your skin is sore for days afterward, you should definitely reconsider your use of toothpaste to treat acne problems.

            If you are looking for a more effective treatment that won’t do so much damage, we would suggest salicylic acid.  Benzoyl peroxide, like toothpaste, can often damage the skin, causing irritation, and many users find themselves dependent on it.  However, salicylic triggers shedding of the dead skin cells and bacterial cells, allowing the skin to breathe and in a way heal itself more effectively.  There are quite a few spot treatments made especially for those with sensitive skin, and most of them can be found at a relatively affordable price.  So use toothpaste as it is meant to be used, on your teeth.

            We’ve all experienced back acne, that acne that you can’t effectively reach or see when you’re trying to wash the germs away.  And just like facial acne, it can be extremely painful and deeply buried in the skin.  It occurs at about the same time as facial acne, generally around puberty, and it is produced by pores and hair follicles becoming clogged with dirt and bacteria.  Stress can aggravate this condition, as can exercise, if the body is not properly cleansed after serious exertion. 

            In some cases, topical benzoyl peroxide or other common medications can suffice.  It also helps to use specialized acne scrubs on the back instead of regular soap.  However, some would suggest treating back acne from the inside out.  In short, using vitamins, minerals, and detoxifying ingredients to cure an inside cause of the outside manifestation.

            But to prevent back acne from happening in the first place, we suggest a few things.  First, exfoliate.  There are common scrubbers you can buy in the grocery store or a specialty store that make it easier to reach certain areas of the back, and they often come in harder varieties, making it easier for you to exfoliate.  This removes dead skin cells that may clog the pores.

            Second, after you exercise, be sure to immediately take a shower and use a good soap to clear your pores of all sweat and possible dirt and bacteria that may have resulted from the exertion.  This will help you to keep you bacteria free and therefore back acne free in most cases. 

            Third, take a good multivitamin.  Some experts have suggested acne is the result of a vitamin deficiency or imbalance in the systems.  Even if this is not the cause of your acne in particular, it won’t hurt your general health, and may even provide some benefits you didn’t expect.

            Finally, cut down on greasy and oily foods.  The more fat you eat, the more oils your skin is able to produce.  And the more oils your skin produces, the more likely it is to clog the pores and skin follicles.  So while you should not avoid fats all together, keep it down to a reasonable level.

            Back acne can be just as annoying and embarrassing as facial acne.  But just like facial acne, the best way to treat it is to prevent it from happening in the first place.  However, if you already have a problem with back acne, there are quite a few treatments available to help you reduce the appearance and spread.