Prescribed medicine

  Tip :If you are seeing a
                dermatologist and are
                receiving prescriptions,
                make sure that your
                physician/dermatologist
                is aware of any current
                or past medical
                conditions.

The main question for all people with acne is when to see a doctor?

• When there is an inflammatory case

• If non – inflammatory case gets worse or does not respond to home treatment within two to three months.

• If you develop emotional problems as a result of your acne.

• If you develop scars or marks on your skin after a pimple has healed.

• If your pimples become large and hard or filled with fluid.

• If you notice other symptoms. such as hair growth on the chin (if you’re a woman ) or your bone and muscle hurt (in both sexes ) or any other sign of over production of androgens.

• If you suspect new prescription medication causes you acne.

• If you suspect that greasy cosmetics or other topical preparations aggravate your acne.

In these circumstances you have to see a dermatologist.

Before prescribing treatment, dermatologists consider several factors, including the severity of the acne, types of lesions present, co-existing conditions, as well as the patient’s age, skin type, life style and motivation. Some times a dermatologist may combine two or more treatment options.

Here are some of these medications:

Topical antibiotics and antibacterial: (externally applied)
• Erythromycin
• Clindamycin
• Sulfacetamide (a topical sulfonamide)
• Azelaic acid
• Tetracycline

Oral antibiotics:
Some doctors start oral treatment with antibiotics to shorten the the treatment cycle.
These include:
• Tetracycline
• Doxycycline (an antibiotic of tetracycline class)
• Minocycline (an antibiotic of tetracycline class)
• Cefadroxil (a cephalosporin antibiotic)
• Amoxicillin

Vitamin A derivatives: (retinoid)
While many individuals use retinoid as OTC medicine it is better to use them under guidance of a dermatologist .
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is another retinoid which is safe and has few side effects beyond annoying, dry lips. The most important issue of it is contraception.
Young woman must be sure they cannot be pregnant while taking this drug or for one month after stopping it, to avoid the risk of birth defects.

Hormonal therapy:
In some woman, acne is caused by an excess of androgen (male hormones)
At this stage the doctor may prescribe one of several drugs to treat woman with this type of acne, Clues that this may be the case include hirsutism (excessive growth of hair on the face or the body), premenstrual acne flares, irregular menstrual cycle and elevated blood levels of androgens.)

  Tip :If you use more acne medication than directed by your doctor
                you can actually worsen your acne.

• Alternative treatments