Acne MedicationsBy LIAM of Picmoney.com
What is Acne?
Acne is an inflammation of the skin that can be caused by a number of factors. Contact with an
oily substance such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum is a common cause of acne, as is
the use of certain medication, steroids, on the contraceptive pill. However, is most often
cause by the secretion of androgens.
Androgens are sex hormones that are initially secreted at
the onset of puberty. They are male hormones but they are secreted by females as well. Androgens
stimulate the production of oil from the skin's oil glands. occurs when these oil glands
become overactive and the exit from the gland is blocked, causing the oil to build up in the
gland and swell. A bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes normally colonizes this swollen
gland causing the development of inflammation and pus.
In particularly severe cases, the glands may burst into the skin and produce cysts.
Over ninety percent of patients respond to medication, although the treatment may need
to be continued for months or even years. Here are a few of the common herbal, homeopathic, and
traditional medications that can be used to treat acne.
Acne Medications
Herbal Medications:
Herbs such as chamomile, lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, and
burdock root can be used to reduce toxicity and improve the overall condition of the skin.
Echinacea and poke root are often used for their anti-inflammatory properties and red clover
may be beneficial for its estrogenic action. Witch hazel has excellent astringent properties and
may be very effective on acne. I recommend the skin rejuvenation program at the
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Homeopathic Remedies:
For patients with pustules and blind boils, especially on the face, neck,
and back, may be helped by Kali brom. Taking selenium internally is often used for
sufferers with oily skin, blackheads, and pustules. And hepar sulph. is typically used for
patients who suffer from pustules that are painful and filled with yellow pus.
Nonprescription Medications can be toxic to the skin over a period of time. (Not Recommended
for Use).
Benzoyl peroxide is a common treatment. It is an exfoliant and therefore helps to remove
dead skin cells from the skin's surface. It also prevents bacteria from multiplying on the skin.
It may come in gel, cream, or lotion form. And it may also be found in combination with sulphur
which is another exfoliation agent. Benzoyl peroxide helps to prevent the development of new
blemishes and clear up ones that are already present. It needs to be used on a daily basis and
may initially cause itching, redness, and dryness. Skin will slowly show improvement over time
with continued usage.
Salicyclic Acid:
The chemical is very effective in the treatment of blackheads. It can loosen
and soften thick, clogged pores. However, it does little to prevent the development of new
blemishes.
Retinoic Acid:
This medication may be used alone or in combination with a benzoyl peroxide
preparation. Retinoic acid is derived from vitamin A, which is an important nutrient in the
maintenance of healthy skin. Vitamin A reduces the blockage of oil glands and is therefore very
useful in the treatment of whiteheads and blackheads.
It can cause itchiness and redness,
especially if the skin is exposed to strong amounts of sunlight. As with benzoyl peroxide,
retinoic acid needs to be used for an extended period of time (at least six months) and it may
be several weeks before any initial improvement is noticed.
Prescription Medications can be toxic to the skin over a period of time. (Not Recommended for
Use).
Tetracycline:
This antibiotic is the most popular conventional treatment for acne. It may be
used alone or in combination with benzoyl peroxide. Food, antacids, iron supplements, and milk
can interfere with the absorption of this antibiotic, so it is important to remember to take it
alone. This medication must be taken for a minimum of three months, and it often needs to be
continued for even longer.
It will take at least two months before any improvement is noticed.
Other antibiotics may also be prescribed if tetracycline is not effective. These include:
trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole, minocycline, doxycycline, and erythromycin. Antibiotics also kill
the good bacteria in your bowel and can cause your teeth to turn gray.
Oral contraceptives:
For women with who also need birth control, some doctors will
prescribe an oral contraceptive that contains either mestranol or ethinylestradiol. These drugs
interfere with the androgen hormone that causes acne.
Therapeutic Injections:
In severe cases of where cysts form, doctors have had some success
with injecting steroids directly into the cyst to resolve them.
Isotretinoin:
Like the topical retinoic acid, this medication is a derivative of vitamin A and
it works to prevent the blockage of oil glands. Blocking the glands does not fix the problem.
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