For many people, acne and acne on the face is a huge problem. You need to choose one or another remedy for treatment after consultation with a specialist, when the cause of the rash has been determined. A popular drug is Tetracycline ointment for acne. It is effective and inexpensive; one course is enough to cure problem skin. But if the rash appears due to diseases of the endocrine system, then this medicine will not help.
How do acne appear?
Our skin is the pores from which hairs grow. And with each hair there is a sebaceous gland. The secretion of the sebaceous gland, that is, the substance that it secretes, is necessary not only for nourishing the hair itself. It also protects the skin, moisturizes it and helps protect it from harmful environmental influences.
Moreover, there are areas of the skin where these glands are larger in size than on other parts of the body. This is the face, back and shoulders. This is where acne appears most often.
If for some reason more secretion is secreted than necessary, and there is constantly contamination on the skin, and most often it is dust, cosmetics that are not removed for several days, dead epidermal cells, then the sebaceous gland can become clogged. The sebum that continues to be secreted in it, but has no way out, serves as an excellent source for the proliferation of bacteria.
If everything is left to chance, then pus gradually begins to accumulate in the skin pores. After some time, it breaks through, comes to the surface of the skin and the skin pores are cleansed. This means it continues to work as before.
It turns out that the provoking factors for the appearance of acne are skin pollution and excess sebum.
But it also happens that an infection joins the inflammatory process inside the skin pores. And in this case, you will have to use antibiotics, among which the most popular is tetracycline.
Cost and substitutes
The price of tetracycline ointment depends on the manufacturer and the pharmacy markup; it can vary from 20 to 100 rubles.
Instead, you can use analogues:
- Dalatsin. For the treatment of acne, the medication is available in the form of a gel for external use. The therapeutic effect of the drug is explained by clindamycin, which belongs to the lincosamides. Dalatsin for acne is applied in the morning and evening. For severe acne, treatment lasts up to six months. The gel is prohibited for patients under 12 years of age, persons intolerant to the composition of the medication, or with a history of pseudomembranous colitis. Dalacin is incompatible with breastfeeding.
- Levomekol is a combined medication that has antimicrobial and wound-healing effects. The drug is prohibited for children under one year of age. It should not be applied to skin affected by fungal infection, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. Levomekol can cause allergies and local adverse reactions.
- Erythromycin ointment. The medication contains a macrolide antibiotic, which stops the growth of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. For acne, including in adolescents, the drug is used 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment can last up to 2 months. You can apply Erythromycin ointment to the skin after another medication for the treatment of acne no earlier than an hour later. The medication is contraindicated if its composition is intolerant.
Tetracycline against acne. What kind of medicine is this
Tetracycline AKOS is an antibiotic that can fight a wide variety of microbes. Its main effect is bacteriostatic. This means that it helps block the proliferation of microorganisms without destroying them themselves.
The drug affects both staphylococci and streptococci, as well as many other gram-positive and gram-negative microbes and anaerobic bacteria (capable of developing without oxygen).
It is for these reasons that tetracycline is most often used for acne.
However, there are microbes that tetracycline does not affect. Therefore, before you start using ointment or tablets for acne, you should definitely go to the doctor and get tested for sensitivity to antibiotics. Only after the result comes and it becomes clear to which antibiotics the cultured microbes are sensitive can treatment begin.
The principle of action of Tetracycline
The main principle of action of this antibiotic is to disrupt protein synthesis on the ribosomes of microbial cells, thus new microorganisms are not formed, and old ones die after going through their life cycle and inflammation goes away, as the cause that caused it disappears. Based on what has been written above, we can conclude that tetracycline ointment is a fairly effective remedy. It is used as an eye remedy for inflammatory diseases of a bacterial nature (blepharitis, conjunctivitis) and as a preparation for the skin. The antibiotic helps to destroy all microorganisms that are sensitive to it and cause purulent inflammation and acne.
The ointment is active against:
- Staphylococci (cause the vast majority of purulent-inflammatory skin diseases);
- Streptococci (cause the vast majority of purulent-inflammatory skin diseases);
- Enterobacteriaceae;
- Bordet-Gengou bacteria;
- The causative agent of anthrax;
- Listeria;
- Klebsiella;
- Shigella;
- Salmonella;
- Rickettsia;
- Treponema;
- Mycoplasmas;
- Chlamydia;
- Gonococcus;
- Escherichia coli and hemophilus influenzae.
The ointment has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, disinfecting, softening and wound-healing effects.
Tablets act much faster and more effectively for acne when taken orally.
Tablets from PromoMed without packaging
The tablet form of the drug has many side effects, including dangerous ones, and before using the tablets, you must make sure that the inflammation is caused by microorganisms sensitive to tetracycline, so the use of tetracycline tablets is possible only after consulting a doctor !
How is it produced?
Tetracycline comes in two forms. These are acne pills and acne ointment.
The ointment may be 1%, but it is not suitable for treating acne. It treats eye inflammation. Tetracycline eye ointment for acne has too low a concentration of the main substance. Therefore, it is powerless against acne.
There is a 3% option. It is this tetracycline ointment that helps fight acne.
If you use eye ointment, then due to the minimal concentration, you may not get the effect.
tablets for acne are prescribed if acne of the third or fourth degree has been diagnosed. If one pimple pops up on your face or back, no doctor will prescribe such treatment.
But for second-degree acne, tetracycline ointment can be prescribed. Sometimes a dermatologist may prescribe both tablets and ointment at the same time. You should not take the medicine in this combination without a doctor’s prescription.
You can buy tetracycline in the form of ointment or tablets to treat acne at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Composition and release form
This product is an antibiotic that is characterized by a wide spectrum of action and has bacteriostatic properties.
Available in 3 forms:
- Eye ointment (1%);
- External ointment 3%;
- Pills.
The main component is tetracycline hydrochloride, which has a destructive effect on bacteria. For acne, you should use 3 percent ointment, since the eye product has a low concentration, but at the same time has a more delicate consistency and can be used on mucous membranes, for example, when pimples occur in the nose.
1% ointment is suitable only for mucous tissues, but will be weakly effective for the skin
In addition to the active component, the medication contains additional components:
- Lanolin is a natural wax of animal origin, extracted from sheep's wool, which has pronounced moisturizing and healing properties; also serves as an emulsifier in the ointment base;
- Ceresin is a purified mountain wax that has a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect;
- Sodium hydrogen sulfate is a crystalline powder that suppresses the activity of pathogenic microflora;
- Vaseline is a mass resembling an ointment in consistency, which helps to moisturize and accelerate the healing of wounds, and also has a softening effect, acts as a base in ointments.
Features of acne treatment
To understand whether helps with acne , you should understand all the features of the treatment of this disease.
First of all, you need to understand exactly what caused acne . This could be a hormonal imbalance, which is especially typical for teenagers, poor nutrition, diseases of internal organs, or stress. Finding the cause of acne on your own is quite difficult. Therefore, you should not neglect the help and advice of a doctor.
The best results in acne treatment can only be achieved with an integrated approach to treatment. This includes diet, the use of medications prescribed by a doctor, and proper skin care.
It should be remembered that it will take a long time to treat acne. Even if you take the antibiotic tetracycline for acne . In most cases, in order to avoid relapse of the disease, you should learn to eat right, give up bad habits and change your lifestyle.
Today there is not a single magic drug that could cure acne in one use. And at the same time it would help to cope with their further rash, preventing such an unpleasant phenomenon as a relapse.
Indications for use
Tetracycline has the following indications for use for the treatment of diseases of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes:
- Trophic ulcers;
- Infectious eczema;
- Streptoderma;
- Folliculitis, acne;
- Infectious conjunctivitis;
- Furunculosis;
- Rosacea;
- Wounds that do not heal for a long time;
- Rickettsial diseases.
The duration of treatment depends on how severe the disease is and is determined by the doctor. Most often, the duration of therapy is 3-4 weeks. In some cases, treatment may last several months.
Tetracycline ointment for acne on the face. How to use
Tetracycline ointment for acne on the face is applied only to cleansed skin. This can be done using any lotion or facial wash.
It is recommended to use only the 3% version of the ointment. The manufacturer of the drug does not matter, but tetracycline AKOS is most often used.
Apply the ointment locally or over the entire area of inflammation. This should be done in a thin layer, then lightly rubbed into the skin. Apply 3% tetracycline ointment - AKOS 3 times a day.
If you have been diagnosed with subcutaneous acne, then it is good to use compresses with tetracycline ointment. For a compress, the ointment should be applied to a cotton pad, applied to the site of inflammation and secured with an adhesive plaster. Exposure time is from 20 minutes to one hour.
Tetracycline in ointment form has many positive reviews. However, there were cases when the ointment did not help. This is caused by the fact that pimples did not appear due to a bacterial infection, but due to other reasons. And antibiotics simply cannot cope with these reasons.
Instructions
The instructions for use stipulate that you can use Tetracycline ointment for acne for no longer than 10 days.
The duration of taking the tablets is determined only by the doctor, but this method of treating acne is rarely practiced. If discomfort occurs during therapy, the drug should be discontinued. Apply ointment or medicated mask 3 times a day. As acne and pimples disappear, the amount of antibacterial agent should be gradually reduced. If your skin condition does not improve after using Tetracycline, you should consult a dermatologist. The causes of acne are gastritis, thyrotoxicosis, and diabetes. Acne will disappear only after treatment of the underlying disease.
Indications for use
3% Tetracycline ointment is prescribed to patients for the treatment of various skin diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. These are furunculosis, streptoderma, erosive and ulcerative lesions. The product in a concentration of 1% is used in the treatment of diseases of the eyes and eyelids - conjunctivitis, stye, blepharitis. External preparations are recommended as an adjuvant for the treatment of herpetic eruptions. The range of use of Tetracycline in tablets is much wider:
- prostatitis;
- chronic and acute cystitis, pyelonephritis;
- endocarditis;
- osteomyelitis;
- cholecystitis.
Tablet forms of Tetracycline are prescribed to patients when diagnosing bacterial respiratory diseases. The antibiotic effectively destroys pathogenic microorganisms that cause intestinal infections. It is often included in therapeutic regimens to suppress the proliferation of syphilis and gonorrhea pathogens.
Mode of application
Taking Tetracycline tablets for acne is not advisable, as it is characterized by side effects. Doctors recommend taking the drug orally only for serious bacterial infections. To eliminate acne and small pimples, you can use the following methods:
- Apply a small amount of 3% Tetracycline ointment directly to acne and leave until completely dry;
- Distribute the antibacterial agent evenly on a sterile napkin and apply to the skin. If necessary, secure the bandage with a narrow plaster.
An effective remedy for acne is a mask with Tetracycline.
To prepare it, you need to grind 2-3 tablets to a powder state. Now you should gradually, drop by drop, add boiled water. Apply the resulting thick paste to areas of the face or body with acne for 30-40 minutes. To prevent and treat acne, you can make an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory lotion. To do this, you need to crush a Tetracycline tablet and mix it with 30 ml of calendula alcohol tincture. It is enough to wipe your skin with this lotion once a day to prevent new acne and pimples from forming.
Possible side effects
If you use Tetracycline ointment or masks made from crushed tablets correctly, the likelihood of side effects is minimal.
It is extremely rare for an allergic reaction to develop. It is characterized by redness and swelling of the epidermis, the appearance of a rash and itchy skin. A small amount of the active ingredient of the drug can penetrate the bloodstream. The result can be dyspeptic disorders, dizziness and headaches. But after taking the pills, there is a risk of developing the following adverse reactions:
- dysbacteriosis;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- pancreatitis;
- enterocolitis;
- azotemia;
- neutropenia;
- hyperemia of the skin.
An antibiotic destroys not only harmful but also beneficial bacteria. In their place, pathogenic yeasts begin to grow and multiply. Soon a person may be diagnosed with stomatitis and/or candidiasis.
Allergy test when using ointment
Tetracycline ointment may cause an allergic reaction in people with high sensitivity to its ingredients. A preliminary allergy test will help to avoid such developments. Testing is very simple:
- Apply a little ointment or mixture for a therapeutic mask to the bend of the elbow or the wrist area;
- wait about 40-60 minutes.
If no redness or rash appears in these areas of delicate skin, you can safely begin treatment. But during the procedure you should still listen to your feelings.
If pain or burning occurs, wash off the product and wipe the skin with any vegetable oil.
Dangerous Misconceptions
Often reading reviews about tetracycline for acne, you can find out that most people prefer to use expensive drugs, as they are believed to be more effective. But tetracycline is a domestically produced drug, and therefore its price is not so high.
If a burning sensation or other unpleasant sensations appear when using tetracycline ointment, then this is as it should be. No, that's not true. There should be no burning or discomfort when using the ointment. If there is a burning sensation or itching, or redness appears, this indicates an allergic reaction. In this case, tetracycline cannot be used as a treatment for acne.
A sensitivity test is not necessary when using tetracycline ointment. This is one of the most common misconceptions. You should do a sensitivity test when using any drug if you are being treated with it for the first time.
Methods of application
When treating acne with ointment, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
Before applying the ointment, the facial skin is cleansed of impurities. It is better not to wipe your face with a cotton pad with toner or micellar water, as this will lead to smearing of impurities, and the components of the toner may enter into a chemical reaction with the components of the ointment, which can lead to skin irritation.
The best option is to use soap (preferably boric), and then rinse it off with running water. If your skin is dry, you can prepare a decoction of any plant that has an anti-inflammatory effect, for example, chamomile, sage, calendula, and wipe your face with it or use a natural tonic.
For dry skin, you can prepare a decoction of calendula, which has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Ointment is also used for blackheads. You can first use strips for blackheads, then apply a thin layer of ointment to the skin, while applying a little more product to the inflamed elements.
Please note that this ointment cannot be used to treat deep burns and wounds.
Since the ointment itself has a greasy consistency, it should be used carefully so as not to stain clothes, and if the ointment is used under a bandage, it should be changed no later than every 12 hours. Also, facial ointment can be used spot on, and as components of suspensions, masks, lotions, and talkers. Crushed tetracycline tablets are also used as components of chatterboxes.
The product may cause a slight tingling sensation after application. In case of severe burning, the skin should be immediately cleansed.
Suspension
If the skin is excessively oily, you can prepare a thick tetracycline suspension for spot application. To do this you will need to do the following:
- Tablets in the amount of 3-4 pcs. knead into powder;
- Add a small amount of an alcohol solution of salicylic acid or a weak solution of acetic acid in the proportion of 1 teaspoon of a 9% solution of acetic acid per 250 ml of water; tetracycline is stable in an acidic environment;
- Now you can apply it to spots on spots.
Reviews
Milena: “Did tetracycline help me get rid of acne? Yes, he literally saved my life. Having been diagnosed with stage 4 acne, life was scary. But a full course of this medicine, along with other drugs, brought me back to life.”
Alena: “I tried to get rid of acne for several years. Nothing helped. And finally, a dermatologist at a paid clinic advised me to use tetracycline ointment, and not those expensive drugs, lotions and foam that I had used before. And it helped. Tetracycline, which costs literally pennies, cured me of acne.”
Stanislav: “My dermatologist advised me to try tetracycline. And I was very surprised that such a simple remedy helped me get rid of acne. Thank you".
Contraindications and side effects of using tetracycline
Tetracycline ointment, and, of course, tablets should not be used in the following cases:
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding,
- in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the product,
- for liver diseases,
- if a person has fungal diseases.
If the patient does not adhere to the instructions, uses tetracycline ointment or tablets despite the doctor’s prohibition, this can lead to side effects such as:
- Redness, itching at the site of application of the drug. If the patient experiences irritation after using the ointment, then he definitely needs to see a doctor to prescribe the correct treatment.
- Dry skin, peeling. In this case, it is advisable to use a moisturizer. But if it doesn’t help, then stop using the ointment.
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, problems with stool - these side effects occur when tetracycline tablets are ingested. These undesirable manifestations occur rarely, but if this happens, consultation with a specialist is definitely required.
When is the ointment not recommended for use?
Tetracycline ointment, like any antibiotic-based drug, has a number of contraindications.
This is due to the fact that tetracycline, which is its basis, affects not only bacteria, but also the internal organs of a person; it is absorbed through the skin into the blood, quickly reaching the liver, which then tries to remove its remains from the body. The main contraindications for use are:
- the presence of fungal diseases;
- various diseases of the liver and biliary tract (acute or chronic);
- patient age under 11 years;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- the presence of allergic reactions to tetracycline.
Tetracycline has a negative effect on a child's body, so it is generally not prescribed until the age of 11-12; during this period, the doctor may select another drug to treat acne that is less aggressive to the child's body.
During pregnancy, tetracycline can negatively affect the development of the fetus and provoke the formation of defects in it . Tetracycline passes well through the placenta and can be concentrated and deposited in the bones of the unborn child, because it tends to bind to calcium, which is necessary for fetal growth.
There is a risk of negative effects throughout pregnancy . But in the middle and at the end of the term this risk is highest. Those women who took drugs containing tetracycline subsequently noted problems with the skeletal system and teeth in their children. Children may experience yellowing of the teeth, hypoplasia of tooth enamel, both baby teeth and molars, high levels of caries, and problems with the growth of some bones. For pregnant women, a drug from a different group is always selected that will not harm the baby.
For newborns and children up to one year old, this antibiotic, even if it gets into breast milk a little, can cause real harm. It is important not to apply the ointment to deep puncture or laceration wounds, or to areas of thermal burns.
Advantages and disadvantages of tetracycline ointment
Advantages of the product:
- quick result,
- 100% destruction of pathogens on the skin, elimination of pimples and acne,
- ease of use,
- cheap medicine,
- economical spending,
- no pain during treatment.
Disadvantages of the drug:
- not a very pleasant aroma
- possible occurrence of allergic reactions, other side effects,
- If you use it carelessly and get the ointment on your clothes or bedding, your linen can be damaged.
