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After making a diagnosis, and dependingon the severity of your symptoms, your
doctor may recommend antibiotics and
other drugs in the form of creams as well
as preparations to be taken orally. You may
also be referred to a dermatologist.
TOPICAL KERATOLYTICS,such
as salicylic acid, help to relieve
mild acne. Your doctor may prescribe a
cream containing these. They help to break
down the oily plugs that block the opening
to the hair follicle and loosen the dead or
hardened cells on the surface of the skin.
As a result, the trapped sebum can flow
out and air can enter the follicle, reducing
the chances of bacterial infection.
TOPICAL ANTIBIOTICS AND
RETINOIDS can help acne that
is mild to moderately severe. Your doctor
may prescribe creams or ointments con-
taining these. Retinoids work by reducing
sebum production.
ORAL ANTIBIOTICS AND RETOINOIDS If
your acne is moderate to severe, your doctor
may prescribe oral antibiotics, such as tetra-
cycline, which you need to take for at least
3–4 months. For severe acne, dermatologists
may prescribe a course of retinoids, such as
isotretinoin, which is usually taken for four
months.Over 90 per cent of patients respond
to this therapy. Many people are cured by a
single course of retinoids, but in some cases
a second course may be prescribed.
CERTAIN COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEP-
TIVES reduce male hormone (androgen)
levels and have been shown to reduce the
severity of acne in some women. These
combined pills may need to be taken for at
least six months.