Topical Antibiotics for Acne Vulgaris

Eighty to eighty-five percent of US teenagers will suffer from acne vulgaris cases that run from the mild to the severe.A number of topical agents have proved helpful for managing acne vulgaris.

Some are available over-the-counter and others only by prescription. Approximately two thirds of teen sufferers of acne vulgaris will attempt to self-treat using products available in their local drugstore. Salicylic acid is a frequent choice and it is the main ingredient of many skin washes and soaps. This chemical irritant brings about a softening and shedding of the dead skin cells of the skin’s outer layer. Besides serving as a peeling agent, salicylic acid may also relieve inflammation and help dry up lesions.

Benzoyl peroxide is a mild peeling agent that can reduce the reproduction of acnes, the bacteria that becomes trapped within the follicle walls. This substance is not affected by bacterial resistance, as sometimes is the case with topical and oral antibiotics. Many over-the-counter and prescription formulations of benzoyl peroxide are on the market. Soaps, gels, washes, and lotions are readily available in various concentrations of up to 10%.

A number of topical antibiotics are available for treating acne vulgaris, including clindamycin, erythromycin, and sodium sulfacetamide. These antibiotics target P acnes in the follicle and also deliver an anti-inflammatory effect. A majority of acne patients have no difficulty tolerating topical antibiotics, provided its use is restricted to once or twice daily. In the most severe cases of acne vulgaris, tretinoin (also known as Retin-A) is the preferred prescription treatment. This retinoid is one of the most effective anti-blemish agents available. It reduces the over-production of skin cells within the hair follicle and prevents the formation of comedones, or blocked pores. Skin peeling and stinging can result and some patients become overly sensitive to sunlight early in therapy.

Most patients can tolerate tretinoin if treatment begins with low-potency formulas which are gradually increased over three to four weeks. The retinoid's effects can prove rather harsh at higher concentrations and working up to a higher dosage is better accomplished slowly over time to allow the skin to build a tolerance. Women who are or may become pregnant must absolutely avoid Retin-A, since it is highly dangerous to a developing fetus. New products to treat acne vulgaris are available that deliver topical agents in novel ways that decrease skin irritation. With the proper tools and instructions in use, most patients experience significant improvement.

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