Andy Lim asked:


Moderate acne can be treated by Periostat, a prescribed acne medicine. Doxycycline is the main ingredient used in this drug. Besides treating acne, it has other medical applications such as malaria and infections on the skin, bone, stomach, respiratory tract, sinuses, ear, and urinary tract. It is a usual practice for the dermatologists to prescribe Periostat to their acne patients. Unfortunately, many of them don’t really under the complications that arise from the use of this drug. Therefore, after obtaining the true picture of this medicine, you may be on a quest for a safer acne treatment.

Many users share their plight after taking Periostat. They suffer a number of serious side effects. Few of them don’t warrant immediate medical attention. Users frequently reported that they are suffering from anxiety, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing, bloating, nausea,pain during swallowing, numbness of the hands and feet, stomach upset, tiredness, dizziness, headache, rash, sensitivity to sun, dry skin, and chest pain. You should prepare to undergo these uncomfortable experiences should you take this acne medication. Nevertheless, side effects are not the only ones you should be worried about.

Prolonged consumption of this prescribed acne treatment may lead to other health risks. You may develop gastrointestinal upset and yeast infections. In addition, there is a possibility of developing new strands of bacteria that may render this antibiotic useless. Specific medicines and birth control pills can prevent Periostat from treating acne. Furthermore, some natural health products can be a hindrance to the acne medicine. By making known all the current medications to your doctor is the best step to take. Failure to disclose such information may render the medication ineffective against zits.

Take note of the following valuable information. You would find it useful when you take Periostat.

This medication may cause some defects o n the fetus. Thus, pregnant women should not take the risk until they receive green lights from their doctors.

If you are breast feeding, make sure your doctors have determined that Periostat is safe for you. You baby can accidentally consume this medication through breast milk. There are reports that it can affect the development of the babies’ bone and tooth.

Throw away unused Periostat tablets that have passed the expiring date. Cases of kidney damage have reported from the use of expired tablets.

Never take antacids and vitamin supplements such as calcium, iron, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate after you take Periostat. They can compromise the effectiveness of the acne medicine.

Don’t stay too long under the sun. Your skin may be very sensitive to the ultra violet rays. Extended sunlight exposure can burn your skin.

The doctors may not recommend you this acne treatment drug if you have kidney or liver disease.

Always take the tablet with a full glass of water (8 ounces).



Alex

Smartie_Pants1995 asked:


I can not decide between Neutrogena and Clean and Clear. They both tell me that they are #1 Dermatologist recommended but I still cant decide. Help me!

Kathy

Ingrid Lihan asked:




Findings in acne medicine are eagerly sought after since a strong segment of the population of the United States has suffered from or is suffering from the skin condition known as acne. In basic terms, the exact cause of the acne vulgaris, the most common form is still not completely defined.  The symptoms and the description are readily available, but there is only a best guess at present, based on the evidence, as to why this condition occurs.  Many of the links to hormonal changes, genetics, and other more limited relationships are identifiable and are being studied in an effort to come up with cures.

Prevalence

Acne prevalence is surprisingly widespread. In fact, in the United States, acne affects almost 100 percent of the adult population.  It is most prevalent in the puberty to mid 20s age group. The good thing about the condition is that it is not contagious. Acne medicine has had to strive just to stay abreast with the number of people who suffer the condition. The condition of acne falls upon all races, genders and age groups–no one is spared. Acne prevalence can be affected by genetics, chemical reactions, hormones and environmental factors of various types.

Adult Acne

A relatively recent finding in the field of acne research is that of the prevalence of adult acne.  There is no real single underlying cause for this type of acne, but it is definitely a surprising number of people that encounter the onset of acne after the adolescent years, rather than at the same time as the teens are experiencing a low level in their personal self image.  Acne medicine for adult acne usually focuses on either topical treatments or oral medications, or even a combination of both.  Acne sufferers can almost always incorporate good diet and nutrition into the mix and see valid positive results.

Hormonal Connection

There is definitely a connection between the hormone level and the number and severity of the zits.  Acne medicine definitely makes a difference in the progress toward a blemish free skin even when you suffer from the ravages of acne. Some birth control pills now are produced that recognize the link between hormones and acne and are formulated so that they deliver a healing dose along with the birth control pills that are prescribed. This is a stellar finding in the field of acne control.

Role of DHT

One of the astounding findings surfacing with the latest new research into the causes and treatment of acne is that of the link between DHT and acne outbreaks. DHT is the active type of the hormone testosterone.  Acne is simply the malfunction of the process of keratinization or development of the cells found around the sebaceous gland.  Instead of sloughing off normally, cells become sticky and stay around the glands which continue to secrete sebum. Because the cells have become sticky, they don’t slough off normally. At the same time, the glands continue to pump out oil. The impact on tanning agents in the area shows up as revenue  



Cheryl

Karen Cheong asked:


Along with what we consider regular orthodox medicine, there are a number of therapies such as homeopathy and herbal medicine, commonly referred to as alternative medicine. Many doctors regard these alternative forms of medicine as quack medicine. But are they? And do they have a role to play in the treatment of acne?

The main difference between alternative medicine and regular medicine is the focus on the whole person. Orthodox medicine as we know it today tends to focus on the disease, in this case, acne, and the part of the body affected by it, usually the face. Alternative medicine focuses on the whole person.

So while regular doctors may sometimes be guilty of isolating the patient from the disease - sometimes referring to them as “The Pimple in Bed 6″, or “Acne coming in to see you at three o’clock”, a complementary therapist would never do that. He would spend a lot of time getting to know you, what you eat, where you work, how your family is, whether you have any stress etc. Specific treatment plans are then tailored to the individual. So two people with the same disease like acne, may get completely different treatments.

Now this is actually a good thing. All that attention to detail makes the patient feel listened to, that the problem has been addressed. This is part of what makes complementary medicine so effective, even in the treatment of acne, where we know stress has a role to play.

Unfortunately, it also makes it very hard to objectively study the effects of a particular therapy on the disease. In orthodox medicine, there is a well-known effect called the placebo effect. This means that if a group of people were given a totally non-active substance and told it was say, a new acne drug, about one in three people would still report improvement in their acne. And this effect can last up to six weeks or even longer. The effect is further enhanced if the person receiving the medicine likes and trusts the person dispensing the medicine.

So how does all this apply to acne treatment? It does in a number of ways.

Firstly, acne is a disease of the skin, which is the largest organ in the body. The state of the skin can reflect the general condition of the whole body. And we do know that stress, for example, has a role to play in the worsening of acne in people already prone to having acne.

Also, many complementary medicines are dispensed in low to almost negligible doses. Attention is given to nutrition and the whole individual. People who dislike taking drugs, especially when many of the drugs used to treat acne have side effects, may find this more appealing.

There are no definite studies which can prove or disprove the effect of alternative medicine on acne treatment. The most sensible thing to do if you decide to try alternative acne medicine, is to inform your regular doctor, especially if you are still undergoing medical treatment. Do not stop any of your medicine suddenly in order to switch as it may be dangerous to do so.



Mathew

rodentlova asked:


I’m breaking out and i need the best acne creame. Also, if theres any other way to get rid of acne please notify me.

Timothy

John H Moore asked:


Do you suffer from acne ?….I will presume that because you’re reading this article that you are a fellow acne sufferer. Acne is a common skin problem for most teens and many adults. It is a horrible condition and can cause distress to anyone who suffers from it. We won’t dwell too much on the causes of acne because I presume all you want to know is how to get rid of acne, right ? Acne occurs when the skin’s follicles become blocked resulting in a whole host of nasties such as blackheads and whiteheads, and even if you do get rid of them, you are often left with unsightly scarring. Acne generally appears on the face, chest and shoulders, but may also occur on the back, arms, legs, and buttocks.

Why some people get acne and some don’t is not fully understood, some believe it runs in the family yet others believe it’s down to diet, keeping your skin clean and your lifestyle. The first thing you must do is check out your diet, your washing habits and your family members to see whether or not you can see any connections.

There are many myths surrounding the subject of acne. One myth is that acne is a result of dirty skin, but this is not the case. If acne was just due to dirty skin, then why haven’t all the workers in this world who do a dirty job such as coal miners got acne ? Acne is caused by a combination of over-production of skin oil, excess dead skin cells and bacteria.

Could it be your diet ? …do suspect that your diet maybe the cause ?..do you eat greasy junk food ? …if you have any doubts then try a healthier diet of fruit and vegetables, and even if it doesn’t clear up it will certainly make you feel better, that make sense doesn’t it ? Food affects people differently, so all you can do is change your diet and see if you can see any improvements to your own condition. Cut out sugar, fat and cut down on dairy products and get more exercise, preferably in the fresh air.

So what about medications to treat your acne?

There are many over the counter medicines that people take for acne, but do they work, and what side effects do they have ? Most of the acne medicines contain benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics which can cause skin irritation, and the oral medicines that are on the market can cause stomach upsets, so please consult your doctor if you are in any doubts at all. Discuss with your doctor if you notice any rashes on the skin, or any stomach problems, and seek an alternative medicine.

So what can we do ?

Although it’s not a cure, it will help to keep your acne under control if you use a combination of the points already mentioned, diet, exercise and hygiene. There are also herbal remedies which will help, but as we’ve already mentioned it’s not a cure, it will only give you short term relief.

At this point you might be feeling a bit low, please don’t, there are now new ways to help you get rid of acne fast. To find out how you can tackle this problem once and for all, please visit our site for more details.





Barry

BeGlAdThAtItHaPpeNeD asked:


I am a teenage girl who has the normal skin problems. I would like to know what is the best acne medicine and the best make up that helps prevent and solve acne problems and that hides acne. Thank you and please help!!!

Dorothy

Cristi asked:


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 is the best choice 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 it’s 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.



Anna