Doxycycline & Acne Treatment
What is acne?
In physical terms, this is an outbreak of whiteheads, blackheads or other eruptions on your face, neck, shoulders and, most commonly, the upper body. It is caused when an excess of oil is produced by the sebaceous glands and blocks the pores around the roots your facial and body hairs. As oil builds up, the bacteria grow more rapidly and cause the inflammation.
Why worry about acne?
It affects about 75% of all teens and can continue into adulthood. Our culture treats this rash of “pimples” as offensive and those affected are treated badly. Although treatment can prevent physical scars, some psychological scars never fully heal.
What are the main approaches to treatment?
If the problem persists despite the use of over-the-counter products such as benzoyl peroxide, it is time to step up to the next level. This often involves the use of antibiotics. These come in two forms: the topical lotions, creams and patches applied to the skin — in principle, this puts the treatment more directly onto the problem; and the antibiotics taken by mouth. In reality, there is no real difference between the two delivery systems. Anything rubbed on to the skin is absorbed into the body and circulated by the bloodstream in exactly the same way as a drug absorbed through the stomach.
Why Doxycycline?
Acne is caused by the sudden growth of bacteria inside your skin. Doxycycline has been shown effective in reducing the rate of growth. This slowing gives your body’s immune system a chance to work. One of the issues to discuss with your doctor is whether to use the conventional Doxycycline tablet or the delayed-release capsule version. There is some evidence to suggest that using the capsule gives a more stable concentration of the drug in your bloodstream and gets slightly better results.
What are the problems?
If you use Doxycycline for too long or in repeated cycles, the bacteria can build up resistance and the drug will stop working. If Doxycycline does not produce a lasting cure, do not be tempted to keep on using it. This drug has many different uses. When you take it, it affects all the bacteria and not just those causing your acne. If all the bacteria in your body become resistant, you lose a valuable drug to fight serious physical disease. Change to a different antibiotics or go to the next level of power in fighting acne.