Acne is a skin related problem caused by excess production of oil from skin pores. Accumulation of dirt and dust at the skin pores further aggravates the problem and results in pimples. You should not rupture pimples as it increases the extent of affected area and even result in scarring of the skin. Before you select any treatment option please remember to never select products that promise cure for just within a week. They just reduce the swelling but once the medicine is discontinued the problem will be back. Select a product that goes deep in to the cause and eliminates it to have a permanent cure. Following are some of the available treatments for the problem of acne.

Acne can be treated by killing the causative bacterium propionibacterium acnes or by correcting the secretion of sebum in hair follicles or by altering the hormonal balance. Most of the available treatment options make use of more than one of the above options. It is advised to consult a physician before using any medications for acne.

Bactericidal Creams: Bactericidal creams that are applied on the skin are used to cure mild acne. These creams contain benzoyl peroxide which is potent bactericidal agent killing propionibacterium acnes. In addition to bactericidal action it is capable of dissolving keratin that has blocked the skin pores. Regular application of the cream is found to give relief within six weeks. Most of them fear that it generates resistance like antibiotics. But the fact is that it does not generate any resistance to other bactericidal agents but is associated with side effects like mild redness, irritation and dryness. Skin dryness can be reduced by use of moisturizers along with the cream.

Antibiotics Creams: These are best choice for people who hate to take pills regularly. Antibiotic creams like erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline are available to cure acne. Advantage of these drugs over oral pills is that they do not cause any side effects like disturbed stomach and indigestion.

Oral Antibiotics: These are suggested for people who suffer with acne over a large area like body acne. Oral antibiotics include those of erythromycin and tetracycline. Use of these antibiotics is reduced as they result in development of resistance to other bactericidal drugs.

Hormonal Treatments: This is the method of choice to cure acne in women. These treatments use oral contraceptives, oral corticosteroids that regulate the balance between the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone and androgens. Androgens are found to be the culprits for acne as they increase the extent of sebum production in hair follicles. For large pimples that do not respond to other treatment options direct injection of cortisone into the pimple gives good results within a very short period.

Retinoids: In mild cases of acne altering or regulating the follicle life cycle gives good results. Retinoids are not only capable of regulating the follicle life cycle but also regulate the secretion or deposition of keratin in the skin pores. These retinoids are available as either creams that are applied over the skin or as oral drugs.

Another interesting treatment option to cure acne is by use of phototherapy. Regular application of visible light gives promising results by killing the bacteria propionibacterium acnes.

Given the list of treatment options, select the one that best suits your needs under the guidance of a physician.

Jonathan Pitts

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