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Acne Treatment Side Effects
Patients with mild or occasional acne may be able to
treat themselves without the use of prescription medication. Such remedies may include an alteration in
diet and exercise habits, regular cleansing to remove residue and buildup on
the skin, choosing the right cosmetics and eliminating stress. But for some individuals, this simply isn’t
enough. For those who suffer from
moderate to severe acne, a stronger medication may be needed in order for that
individual to find relief from their condition. There are several different types of medication that
are commonly used to treat acne, each of which may contain the potential for
certain side effects. As is the case
with most over-the-counter acne medication, prescription medicines are usually
available as gels, creams, lotions or solutions. In determining which the best choice is for
the patient, a physician will study the skin type, severity of acne and the
patient’s likelihood of having a negative reaction to any medication. Once a prescription is written, the physician
will explain how often to use the medicine and how to properly apply it to the
skin. As mentioned previously, it is not uncommon for
individuals to have a reaction to strong acne medication. For some it is only temporary, but others may
require a change in their prescription.
The most widely seen reaction is that of the skin’s condition actually
worsening. Many physicians agree that
most medications will cause the skin to worsen before it actually improves,
which may take 6-8 weeks of using a medication.
However, additional side effects may include extreme redness, burning, stinging,
peeling, soreness, scaling or a discoloration of the skin. If individuals notice these side effects
becoming increasingly worse or if they do not go away after a specified period
of use, which should be indicated by a physician, the medication may need to be
changed. Individuals who take oral medications for the treatment
of acne may face an entirely different set of potential side effects, including
an upset stomach, dizziness and skin discoloration. Certain types of medication can be dangerous
to women who are pregnant or children under a certain age, so individuals
should report any possible conditions to their physician prior to accepting a
prescription. As with any medication, there are often risks and
benefits of its use. The best way to
learn of these is to speak with a physician, ask about any potential side
effects and completely disclose your current medical condition and any
medications that you are currently taking.
In some instances, medications may negatively react with one another and
this can be very dangerous to the patient.
Acne medicine is no different and the patient should have a complete
understanding of how it operates before using it. The information in this article is intended for
informational purposes only. It should
not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional
recommendations for the cause, diagnosis or treatment of acne. If necessary, individuals should consult a
medical doctor or dermatologist for information regarding the use of acne
medication or other effective treatment methods. Side Effects on 6 Common Acne Treatments
So we all want to get rid of acne and look good, even
better. But there are some things we need to know and be ready about its
treatment – the side effects. Here are some of the common side effects we may
want to ask our dermatologists after receiving the prescriptions. 1. Acne Treatment Cream
Perhaps the most common side effect of using acne
treatment creams is allergic reaction. It ranges from redness, drying and
flaking, itching and swelling of the skin. Feeling of burning is sometimes
present too. Retin-A,
a topical treatment for severe acne, may cause an already sensitive skin to
become blistered, puffed and red. In some cases during its early usage, worse
situation may occur especially in areas where acne attack is rather unseen. 2. Astringents
Just like acne treatment creams, astringents also
exhibit the same side effects such as swelling, redness, dryness, itching or
burning. It is recommended that the user should avoid excessive exposure to
sunlight since skin discoloration may also occur. 3. Oral Antibiotics
As for other diseases, over exposure to antibiotics may
lead to bacteria becoming resistant. The same goes with acne. Prolonged usage
of antibiotics to treat acne may in turn lead to resistant bacterial infection.
Tetracycline is one example of acne treatment antibiotic. Here are its common
side effects: ·
anemia ·
loss of appetite ·
nausea ·
fever ·
itchiness ·
photosensitivity or abnormal sensitivity of
the skin to sunlight ·
rashes ·
allergic reactions ·
vision disturbance ·
dizziness ·
diarrhea ·
may affect a nursing infant therefore is
not recommended for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women Erythromycin, another common acne antibiotic, also has
several side effects. Several users reported the following symptoms: ·
nausea ·
diarrhea ·
seizures ·
confusion ·
mild to serious allergic reactions ·
abdominal pain All oral antibiotics have the ability to cause
candidiasis or vaginal infections of yeast (by Candida albicans)
in women. Among all acne oral antibiotics, Tetracycline appears to be the most
common to have infection as its side effect. Also, oral antibiotics tend to
lessen the potency of contraceptive pills. 4. Acne Laser Treatment
Acne laser treatment is intended to destroy the
oil-producing glands of our skin, without destroying the epidermis or the outer
skin layer, thus may be painful. It also produces temporary redness and
swelling. Such symptomatic side effects of this kind of treatment may require
additional treatment during the process of healing. Also, laser treatment may
be left with uneven pigmentation on the skin. Aside from these physical side
effects, laser treatment also needs to be done regularly and can be quite
costly. 5. Cosmetic Procedures
Chemical peels are often used with creams to generate
new skin cell growth. The result is a youthful looking skin. However they have
side effects that include scarring, abnormal skin color, redness and blisters. 6. Acne Surgery
Not as popular as before, acne surgery has its share of
side effects. Aside from scarring, there is also a possibility of developing
serious infection when acne cysts are not carefully drained. Copyright ®2005-2009 eNewsletterSolutions.com. All rights reserved
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