Topical and Prescription Treatments for Acne

Acne is most commonly due to an increased production of oil within pores and the presence of Propionibacterium acnes, causing pores of the skin to become occluded or infected. During the process, an inflammatory response occurs and produces the characteristic red, swollen and pustular appearance. There are various types of treatments for acne, which vary depending on the severity of the acne; some include topical treatments for mild to moderate acne, antibiotics and Accutane for severe cases.Examples of topical treatments include, but are not limited to, Proactive, which uses Benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient, Retin-A

topical skn creams

or retinoic acid, and Differin or adapalene. All of these products use different mechanisms of action to treat acne, but all have similar side effects associated with their use. The most common side effects associated with the use of topical acne treatments include: redness, burning, scaling and dryness. Less common side effects are sunburn due to an increased sensitivity to sunlight and desquamation, which is the shedding or peeling of the outer layers of the skin.

Antibiotics are another source of treatment for patients with acne that have not been controlled with topical acne treatments. Propionibacterium acnes is a common bacteria found on the skin and obtains its nutrients from oil produced in pores. Therefore, people that produce large quantities of oil have an overgrowth of bacteria within the pore and have an increased susceptibility to acne. Antibiotics decrease the amount of bacteria and inflammatory response produced within the follicles improving the amount and appearance of acne.

The most common antibiotic treatments for acne include Minocycline, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin and Clindamycin, all of which are associated with mild to severe side effects. Antibiotics are not selective to bacteria they eradicate, and can decrease healthy bacteria necessary for proper balance within the body. The digestive system is most commonly affected; severe imbalances of normal bacterial required for proper digestion can occur, resulting in diarrhea, indigestion as well as yeast infections. Other side effects include: birth defects, sensitivity to sun exposure, tooth discoloration and liver toxicity. Less severe side effects are nausea and vomiting.

Accutane is a potent treatment used in patients with severe acne that have not responded to other topical or antibiotic treatments. Accutane is

a form of Vitamin A. In high doses, it has been found to decrease the production of oil from glands. Although the use of Accutane can result in the resolution of acne, it is associated with a long list of serious adverse effects. In some instances, symptoms have been reported to persist after Accutane was discontinued. Many physicians do not recommend Accutane and many patients are not willing to take the risk of serious Side effects associated with this medication. Birth defects are the number one major side effect associated with patients using Accutane and pregnancy is contraindicated for women during its use. There has also been cases of serious birth defects in children of women who had stopped taking Accutane. Other commonly associated major side effects include depression with suicidal ideation. All patients should be screened and counseled prior to starting treatment.