Medicines to Treat Acne

Definition

In medical terms, what are commonly called "pimples" refer to a pseudo-pathological condition called more precisely acne. We are talking about an inflammatory process that affects the pilo-sebaceous glands and hair follicles: acne favors the formation of papules, pustules and comedones, always unsightly and sometimes itchy. The face and neck are the anatomical sites most involved in the "acne, but also the chest and back area can show pimples.

Causes

Acne can have a genetic, hormonal, bacterial or psychological etiology. The family predisposition heavily influences the appearance of pimples, but also the hormonal alteration (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, adolescence) plays a leading role in its appearance. Stress and psychological disorders can be a contributing factor, especially during the adolescent period; last, but certainly not least, the beating Propionibacterium Acnes, which - by blocking the pores of the skin - generates inflammation and acne.

Symptoms

Acne is an aesthetic problem rather felt by young people, since boils tend to prefer the face; acne can generate cysts, skin scarring, scabs, irritation, papules, blackheads, itching and pustules.

Natural Cures

Diet and Nutrition

The information on Acne - Acne Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Acne - Acne Treatment Drugs.

Medicines

Before embarking on a therapeutic path based on the administration of drugs for the treatment of acne, it is good to keep in mind some hygiene-behavioral rules, useful both for preventing acne and for speeding up its healing when the "disease" is in progress.

The skin should always be cleaned gently, with delicate and not very aggressive detergents
Avoid excessive cleansing of the skin: excessive cleansing removes the thin natural lipid layer that covers the skin, drying the skin and making it more sensitive
Always remove make-up after makeup
In case of acne, the hair should remain in contact with the face as little as possible
Do not rub or scratch pimples, to avoid even permanent scarring
Do not apply oily creams on the face, especially in the presence of acne

These simple steps can be effective for mild to moderate acne; if symptoms persist, pharmacological treatment can be undertaken; tant "is that in case of seriousness, in the absence of treatments, acne tends to disfigure the face even for 8-10 years. In light of the above, it is understandable how relevant and intelligent it is to contact a specialist (dermatologist) when the condition is alarming; also in this case the importance of a dermatological control from the first symptoms, to monitor and control the disease, must be emphasized.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in acne therapy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Antibiotics: the antibiotic treatment for acne is clearly reserved for severe and complicated cases, as well as those in which the topical application of other specific substances (eg retinoids) is particularly complex or ineffective. However, there are some antibiotic formulations to be applied to the skin, especially indicated for patients who cannot tolerate antibiotics to be taken orally.

Clindamycin (eg Dalacin-T cutaneous solution, Zindaclin gel, Cleocin cream): apply the product on the skin twice a day. The duration of therapy must be determined by the doctor.
Erythromycin (eg Erythromycin IDI gel / cream, Eryacne gel, Zineryt): in the form of gel or cream, apply the product to the infected area once or twice a day. Clean the area thoroughly before applying the drug.
Metronidazole (eg Rozex cream / skin emulsion, Zidoval cream / gel): it is also effective for the treatment of rosacea.

Antimicrobials: this category of drugs is titrated by benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid, active often used in therapy against acne in place of antibiotics; it has been observed, in fact, that prolonged administration of antibiotics can develop resistance in the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, therefore it is advisable to take antimicrobials first and, only afterwards and in case of no resolutive effect, antibiotics.

Benzoyl peroxide (eg Acnidazil, Benzac Clean, Panoxyl): in general, the therapy with this antibacterial should be started in small doses, and then gradually increase them during the treatment. If the symptoms do not improve after 2 months of therapy, it is necessary to change the drug and opt for an antibiotic. It is recommended to start therapy by applying the cream 1-2 times on the damaged skin; continue the treatment with formulations with a higher active concentration. Consult your doctor.
Azelaic Acid (eg Skinoren, Finacea): apply a 20% cream to the skin affected by acne, twice a day (morning and evening). It is recommended to use mild cleansers and not to scratch pimples. Indicated for the treatment of mild and moderate acne of the face. Creates fewer side effects than the previous drug.

Possible side effects: skin irritation, edema (generally following the very first applications)

Hormones: hormone therapy for acne is reserved for women and girls; most of the time, patients are treated with a combined therapy: Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone acetate (eg. Diane, Dianette). We are talking about oral contraceptives (which must be prescribed by the doctor after a careful examination), particularly indicated in the treatment of dermatological diseases such as acne, hirsutism, seborrhea and alopecia. These drugs, although contraceptives, should not be used exclusively for this purpose.

Retinoids: retinoids are drugs widely used for the treatment of acne; however they are quite powerful substances, therefore they must be used with caution, in full compliance with what is prescribed by the doctor. There are side effects: the intake of retinoids, even respecting the dosages, it can lead to peeling of the skin and erythema; however, it is good to remember that these side effects tend to subside during the therapy period.
It is also important to warn the patient that the first therapeutic effects of the drug are generally observed after a few months of treatment.

Isotretinoin (eg. Roaccutan, Aisoskin, Isoriac, Isotrex): this drug is used in therapy against acne of psychological aetiology, not treatable with antibiotic drugs, and for cystic acne. Isotretinoin is by far the most powerful anti-acne drug and is also very suitable for the treatment of rosacea. Do not take during pregnancy: the drug has a teratogenic effect, even long after the end of the treatment. The drug should be applied to the skin once or twice a day.
Retinoic acid or tretinoin (eg Retin-A, Vesanoid): this drug is widely used in therapy, although during the first applications a worsening of the acne condition is possible. In fact, by promoting the desquamation of keratinocytes and stimulating cell turnover, the drug tends to accentuate pimples: in any case, this undesirable effect tends to vanish during therapy. Apply a thin layer of cream to acne-affected skin every night before bedtime; subsequently, reduce the number of applications to 3 weekly. Consult your doctor. Do not apply the product during pregnancy and breastfeeding: the drug is a teratogen.
Adapalene (eg. Differin 0.1% Gel / cream, Epiduo 0.1% + 2.5% gel): the administration of this drug is indicated for the treatment of moderate acne; it is applied to the injured skin once every day, preferably in the evening, before going to sleep It is less irritating than the retinoids described above, although belonging to the same category.

Natural substances for the treatment of acne

Nature also gives relief to the skin affected by pimples: the choice of plants to use is directed towards purifying, anti-inflammatory, purifying and sanitizing drugs. Burdock, birch, calendula, echinacea, fumaria and dandelion are just some of the countless plants that can provide a valid therapeutic alternative to the classic treatments for acne.