What are treatments OPTIONS for Acne?
* Be aware that the recommended treatments of illnesses are always being improved. This website was last update on 11/1/2024.
The best treatment option MIGHT have changed since that time.
For whiteheads and blackheads only:
A. Tretinoin cream: Examples are adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin, trifarotene and salicylic acid. Gels are the least cosmetically noticeable; creams are the least irritating.
B. Benzoyl peroxide 1%
For mild acne with only blackheads (comedomes):
A. Tretinoin cream (as above)
B. Benzoyl peroxide (as above)
With mild acne and papules and pustules
A. A topical antibiotic with an Above retinoid cream or gel
-Clindamycin is the most frequently used topical antibiotic for acne, and it's available as a solution, lotion, or gel at 1% strength
-Erythromycin is the second most commonly used topical antibiotic used for acne, available as a solution, gel, and ointment at 2% strength.
For moderate acne with blackhead (comedomes) putules and papules
A. Antibiotics by mouth
B. Retinoid cream or gel such as Tretinoin cream (as above)
C. Benzoyl peroxide 1%
D. A topical antibiotic (as above)
For severe acne:
A. Same treatment as for moderate acne
B. oral coritosteroid
C. intralesional injections of corticosteroids
D. oral retinoid
CAUTION:
1. All medication, including all oral antibiotics and all medications that come in lotions, ointment, and creams have a risk of side effects.
2. Possible Mild side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and light to moderate skin rash.
3. Possible Severe side effects are a severe skin rash, an anaphylactic allergic reaction (leading to the inability to breathe and subsequent death if not treated rapidly), and Clostridioides difficile infection (C. Diff.) of the colon.
4. Medications such as creams, lotions, and gels should be tested in small dosages in areas of the body that are not easily seen.
What are the common symptoms of Acne Vulgaris (Common Acne)?
The most common symptoms of Acne Vulgaris are blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones), pimples (inflamed closed comedones), raised, solid bumps (papules), surface bumps containing pus (pustules). Some other symptoms that can occur are deeper, firm bumps containing pus (nodules), larger pockets containing pus (cysts), and sometimes even larger, deeper pockets containing pus (abscesses).
What causes Acne?
Acne is caused by a collection of dried sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) clogging the hair follicles, blocking the sebum from leaving through the pores.
How IS ACNE DIAGNOSED?
Acne can be diagnosed by taking a careful history and by a visual inspection of the skin.