Ice cubes with a decoction of chamomile, a mask of blue clay, ointment, talkers or aloe juice can relieve short-term and single acne. When the rashes are protracted and severe, antibacterial drugs must be connected. Doxycycline significantly alleviates the disease and improves the appearance of the skin. Is this antimicrobial suitable for everyone? How to take it correctly, prompt the advice of practicing dermatologists.
Indications for the treatment of acne with antibiotics
As a result of improper skin care or lack thereof, the use of inappropriate cosmetics, clogging of pores occurs, an inflammatory process occurs and acne appears. In addition, with microtraumas, when the rashes begin to “squeeze”, pathogenic bacteria get into the wounds, which turns the most harmless pimple into a giant red spot.
In the presence of an infectious and inflammatory process in the body, for example, in the digestive organs, rashes can appear not only on the face, but throughout the body. In all these cases, systemic antimicrobial treatment will help. One of the most popular and effective is Doxycycline, which has established itself over the years of use and has positive feedback from patients who have acne.
Drug characteristics
Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic. It belongs to the group of tetracyclines. The drug is susceptible to common pathogens such as E. coli, salmonellosis, chlamydia, as well as streptococcal and staphylococci, which cause the formation of acne on the skin. Doxycycline is effective against acne caused by Demodex mites. Such a disease is called demodicosis and, in addition to taking an oral antibiotic, requires external therapy with ointments.
The drug is available in capsules of 50, 100 or 200 milligrams of the active substance, sealed in a blister. Additionally there is a cardboard box.
The course of treatment and dose
How to take Doxycycline for acne? Acne therapy involves prolonged use of the drug. Tablets in a dosage of 50 mg are taken once a day for 6-12 weeks. The duration of the course is determined by a dermatologist depending on the reaction of the body to the medication.
How to drink pills
The main law in antibiotic treatment is not to swallow capsules on an empty stomach, which can provoke irritation of the digestive tract. The drug is taken with food or after. It is advisable at the same time that there is a gap of 24 hours between the tablets. It is recommended to drink the drug with still water, kefir or milk.
Contraindications
Before using the drug, it is important to read the instructions for “Doxycycline” for acne, as well as inform your doctor about existing diseases and allergies.
You can not use tetracycline:
- during pregnancy;
- liver failure;
- lactation;
- sensitivity to components;
- children under 9 years old;
- leukopenia and porphyria.
Side effects
A certain group of patients reacts particularly sharply to the drug, and unpleasant symptoms may occur during therapy:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- skin rash and itching;
- increased sweating;
- dizziness.
Long-term treatment can provoke a change in the shade of tooth enamel, dysbiosis, anemia or candidiasis.
Combination with other medicines
"Doxycycline" for acne should be taken with caution with other medicines. Tetracycline reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, so when taking antibiotics, additional barrier methods of contraception, such as a condom, are used. It is not recommended to drink alcohol, as this is an additional burden on the liver, and the period of elimination of the drug from the body also increases.
Benefits of the drug
Taking "Doxycycline" for acne, you can get an additional positive result. Thanks to a wide range of effects, the antibiotic destroys infections that have not manifested themselves. Suppose a course of therapy against acne is carried out, and the organs of the genitourinary system or nasopharynx are treated in parallel, in which there is a latent inflammation in a chronic form.
The medicine is quite affordable, it is sold without a prescription, and it can be found in almost any pharmacy, which gives it an unambiguous privilege over other antibacterial agents.
Precautionary measures
In order to prevent negative consequences from taking tetracycline, it is important throughout the course to carefully listen to your body and follow simple recommendations. During therapy, it is necessary to avoid being in direct sunlight, sunbathe in the active sun from 11 to 16 hours. It is important to regularly take tests for general blood counts, liver tests, and serum urea.
How to avoid dysbiosis
A fairly long course of treatment for acne "Doxycycline" affects the microflora, which manifests itself in an intestinal upset, the appearance of thrush or stomatitis. In the intestines are millions of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which are responsible for immunity and peristalsis. Antimicrobials destroy both pathogenic and beneficial organisms, as a result of which vitamins and other useful substances cease to be absorbed, and an allergy appears.
To prevent the occurrence of dysbiosis in parallel with Doxycycilin from acne, you need to consume a sufficient amount of sour-milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals. Experts recommend taking medications to restore microflora, such as Canadian Yogurt or Probiz Femina.
An antibiotic can provoke the growth of fungal diseases, in particular the occurrence of candidiasis, or thrush. Women are especially susceptible to this disease. Therefore, antifungal drugs are prophylactically taken: orally and, if necessary, vaginal suppositories.
When the result is visible
Antibacterial agents act quickly enough. With moderate acne, the effect is visible after just a few days of use - the skin is cleansed, the number of inflammatory foci decreases. When the first positive results appear, do not stop the course of Doxycycline therapy for acne, because this is not a victory over the disease. Following the clear instructions of a dermatologist and observing the dosage regimen, you will retain the effect for a long time, and relapse conditions will not appear.
The negative effects of self-medication
The affordability of the drug sometimes gives the opposite effect. The girl heard from her friend that Doxycycline will help with acne, and goes to the pharmacy. Such healing at random can have negative consequences, because antibacterial agents have a devastating effect on the body, for example:
- the load on the liver increases, and the body ceases to cope with toxins and poisons, which further provokes the appearance of acne;
- immunity is reduced;
- allergy sometimes manifests as peeling or itching on the skin.
In addition, acne may not disappear. This suggests that the formation of rashes is not caused by a staphylococcal infection, but by other bacteria that are not sensitive to tetracycline. Or the reason is different - allergies, an imbalance in the thyroid gland, the use of poor-quality cosmetics that clog the skin, etc. That is why only a doctor should prescribe acne therapy with Doxycycline.
Alternative treatment
The use of antibiotics is a radical measure that has side effects. First you need to try to get rid of acne in less aggressive ways:
- Carefully monitor facial hygiene. Wash your face twice a day, cleaning the epidermis of dust and dirt.
- Follow a diet. Exclude or limit fatty foods, sausages, pastries and sweets in the diet. Stew or steam, forget about frying.
- Eliminate allergies as a cause of rashes, because then you will need antihistamines, and not a course of “Doxycycline” for acne.
- Use high-quality decorative products (foundation, powder) and do not forget to remove makeup at night.
- Try external treatment with antibacterial ointments (Clotrimazole, Zinerit), which are applied pointwise to the site of inflammation.
- Ethnoscience. Wipe the face with calendula, make masks from clay, act locally with aloe juice, etc.
If these measures did not help, then the dermatologist connects the doxycycline antibiotic for acne.
Reviews
Doxycycline is not a new drug; it was invented in 1966. During this time, he has established himself as an effective drug. Most patients who have used Doxycycline for the treatment of acne speak about positive results and give the following facts in favor of the medication:
- Affordable price. The drug can be bought in a pharmacy for only 20-35 rubles. New generation antibiotics are quite expensive, sometimes with a lot of side effects.
- Constantly in stock. Doxycycline can be found at any pharmacy.
- OTC sale.
- Effectiveness. The skin is cleared of acne in someone after a week of use, in others - after a month. It all depends on the severity of acne.
- Wide range of exposure. Conducting therapy against skin rashes, you can additionally treat other organs and kill a couple of hidden infections (sinusitis, cystitis, rheumatism).
- Time-tested. The antibiotic is used by patients around the world, and for a long time, doctors have prescribed it to treat many diseases.
Negative comments about the drug are mainly associated with the appearance of side effects after treatment, such as thrush, nausea, dysbiosis, etc. That is why it is important to carefully study the Doxycycline instructions for acne before drinking the first pill. Drinking capsules with plenty of water, consuming fermented milk products and following a diet while taking the drug, negative consequences can be minimized.
Doxycycline is effective against acne caused by pathogens. Treatment should be prescribed by a dermatologist, determining the dose and duration of the course. The drug, like all antibiotics, has a number of side effects that you should familiarize yourself with before starting therapy.