Topical Antibiotics and Acne

Topical antibiotics are known for delivering visible results in shorter periods of time. Topical antibiotics are especially effective in treating inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne involves reddish and painful lesions on the face that often cause disfiguring, darkened scars. Two of the most popular topical antibiotics are:

- Clindamycin
- Erythromycin

You may use these antibiotics alongside other acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These topical antibiotics are also known to treat the following conditions:

- Acne
- Rosacea
- Perioral dermatitis
- Shaving bumps
- Acne-like skin problems

How Do Topical Antibiotics Work on Acne?

How do these products manage to control acne lesions? Unlike other topical remedies that have only a 50% or 75% chance of killing the unwanted bacteria in the skin, these products were designed to kill bacteria.

Topical antibiotics directly affect the skin in two ways:

1. Strong antimicrobial action, inhibiting the further growth of P. acnes inside the pores of the skin.
2. Anti-inflammatory action that helps control the formation and growth of painful skin lesions that are associated with inflammatory acne.

Acne Products that Contain Topical Antibiotics

You’re never tied to just one brand when you’re looking for acne treatment. The following are popular brands in the market that make use of topical antibiotics and the concentrations of the active ingredients:

- Branded generics (solution, gel, swabs and lotion), 2%
- A/T/S solution & gel (2%)
- Theramycin Z solution (2%, contains zinc)
- Akne-Mycin ointment (2%)
- Erycette pledglets (2%)
- Staticin solution (1.5%)
- Cleocin T solution, gel, lotion, pledglets (1%)
- ClindaMax gel & lotion (1%)
- Clindets pledglets (1%)

How to Use Topical Antibiotics for Acne Treatment?

Usually, topical antibiotics are applied at least once a day. The effects of the topical antibiotics would be seen in a month or a month and two weeks, depending on your own skin’s response to the treatment.

The first sign that the topical antibiotics are working is that your painful lesions are beginning to subside. There might be some scarring but the important thing here is that the bacteria is beginning to lose its hold on the skin.

One disadvantage to using topical antibiotics is the recurrence of the acne, this time with strains of anaerobic bacteria that can withstand the interference of antibiotics. In this case, you should use benzoyl peroxide to prevent this from happening.

Topical Antibiotics Side Effects on Acne

There are three main side effects when using topical antibiotics:

1. Redness
2. Irritation (allergies)
3. Scaling or increased dryness of the skin

These side effects occur when the user of the topical antibiotics is unable to tolerate the active ingredients. Fortunately, most acne sufferers are comfortable with using topical antibiotics.

People who suffer from eczema may experience the following upon use of topical antibiotics:

- Irritation
- Burning of the skin

If you think you may be suffering from these symptoms because of your topical antibiotics, then it might be a good idea to use ointments instead of lotions and creams.

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