How antibiotics treat acne
Posted Monday, September 07, 2009
A wide variety of oral and topical antibiotics are prescribed to treat acne, including tetracycline, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline and clindamycin. Many factors come into play when choosing the antibiotic, such as the patient's age, allergies, and if they are pregnant or nursing.
Antiobiotics decrease the amount of bacteria present in the pores. Additionally, they help hinder the inflammatory response once a pore is clogged, thus reducing the telltale redness and swelling associated with blemishes. However, it can take up to two months of treatment before you see any improvement.
Keep in mind, oral antiobiotics can cause yeast infections, and may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Antiobiotics can also cause sun sensitivity, so it's even more important than usual to wear sunscreen.
Tags: acne, antibiotic, bacteria, birth control, clindamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, inflammation, medication, minocycline, pores, prescription, redness, side effects, sunscreen, swelling, tetracycline, treatment, yeast infection