Acne: Treatment With Antibiotics-Topic Overview
Acne: Treatment With Antibiotics-Topic Overview
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat severe acne or acne that is likely to leave scars. Antibiotics improve the look of your skin by killing bacteria that cause acne. This means you'll have fewer pimples and redness. Less acne means less acne scarring.
You can put antibiotics directly on your skin (topically) or take them by mouth (orally). Topical antibiotics kill bacteria on your skin. Oral antibiotics kill bacteria in your skin pores. Oral antibiotics work best if you start them at high doses. Your doctor will reduce the dose as your acne gets better.
Acne During Pregnancy
Acne is common during pregnancy. In fact, more than one out of every two pregnant women can expect to develop acne. In some cases, the acne may be severe.The primary cause of acne when you're pregnant is the increased hormone levels in the first trimester. The higher level increases the skin's production of natural oils. It's hard to predict who will develop pregnancy acne. You have a higher risk, though, if you have a history of acne or have acne flares at the start of your menstrual cycle...
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People with mild acne may need only topical antibiotics. The most common types include:
A topical antibiotic may be combined with a topical retinoid, such as tretinoin (Retin-A). Or a topical antibiotic may be combined with benzoyl peroxide gel.
Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
People with severe acne and people who are more likely to have scarring from acne often take antibiotics by mouth. The most common oral antibiotics include:
If you are using topical antibiotics or taking oral antibiotics, your doctor also may have you use benzoyl peroxide on your skin. This can make it less likely that you will develop antibiotic resistance.
For more information on antibiotics, see Drug Reference. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
You can put antibiotics directly on your skin (topically) or take them by mouth (orally). Topical antibiotics kill bacteria on your skin. Oral antibiotics kill bacteria in your skin pores. Oral antibiotics work best if you start them at high doses. Your doctor will reduce the dose as your acne gets better.
Recommended Related to Acne
Acne During Pregnancy
Acne is common during pregnancy. In fact, more than one out of every two pregnant women can expect to develop acne. In some cases, the acne may be severe.The primary cause of acne when you're pregnant is the increased hormone levels in the first trimester. The higher level increases the skin's production of natural oils. It's hard to predict who will develop pregnancy acne. You have a higher risk, though, if you have a history of acne or have acne flares at the start of your menstrual cycle...
Read the Acne During Pregnancy article > >
People with mild acne may need only topical antibiotics. The most common types include:
- Clindamycin (such as Cleocin).
- Erythromycin (such as E-Mycin).
A topical antibiotic may be combined with a topical retinoid, such as tretinoin (Retin-A). Or a topical antibiotic may be combined with benzoyl peroxide gel.
Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
People with severe acne and people who are more likely to have scarring from acne often take antibiotics by mouth. The most common oral antibiotics include:
- Erythromycin (such as E-Mycin).
- Tetracyclines, which include:
- Doxycycline (such as Vibramycin or Monodox).
- Minocycline (such as Minocin).
If you are using topical antibiotics or taking oral antibiotics, your doctor also may have you use benzoyl peroxide on your skin. This can make it less likely that you will develop antibiotic resistance.
For more information on antibiotics, see Drug Reference. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
