How does tetracycline ointment help in the treatment of acne?

The tetracycline ointment for acne has long been on the list of drugs used to treat problem skin. The popularity of this medication is due to its effectiveness and low price. The antibacterial component of the ointment exhibits high activity against a number of pathogenic bacteria, which allows the use of the drug to treat many skin diseases.

At the same time, an antibacterial agent can provoke allergic reactions, so the decision on its use should be made by the attending physician taking into account the patient's condition and possible contraindications. The drug is able to improve the condition of the problem skin even in severe forms of acne, accompanied by the appearance of abscesses. When using tetracycline ointment, it is necessary to follow all the prescriptions exactly, this will allow achieving a quick and stable therapeutic effect. Let's get acquainted with the features of the drug, tell you about its basic properties and how to properly use tetracycline ointment from acne.

Tetracycline ointment for acne - description of the preparation

Tetracycline ointment is an antibacterial drug from the group of tetracyclines. It has a pronounced bacteriostatic effect and effectively copes with a wide spectrum of pathogenic microflora that causes inflammatory processes on the skin. The active ingredient of the preparation is tetracycline hydrochloride, dissolved in a vaseline base. Of the auxiliary constituents, lanolin, sodium disulfite and ceresin are present in the base of the ointment. The principle of tetracycline is based on suppression of protein synthesis processes inside microbial cells, which ultimately leads to their destruction.

The pharmaceutical industry produces the drug in two versions:

• tetracycline eye ointment( 1%)
• tetracycline ointment( 3%)

For the treatment of acne and acne use the second option, since an ointment with a low active ingredient is effective only for eye infections.

Tetracycline ointment( 3%) is a homogeneous substance of yellow color, with a weak specific odor. In 1 g of ointment contains 30 mg( 30,000 units) of tetracycline. The drug is produced in aluminum tubes weighing 15 and 30 grams. The price of the drug is quite low, which makes it affordable for all segments of the population. The cost of packing tetracycline ointment on average is about 30 rubles.

Indications

The drug is intended for the treatment of skin diseases and is recommended for use in the following conditions:

• Acne, acne rash
• Folliculitis
• Furunculosis
• Infected eczema
• Trophic ulcer
• Streptodermia
• Other pustular skin lesions caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal infection

For each pathologicalThere is a definite scheme for the use of the drug, an optimal treatment option will be selected by a specialist on the basis ofSIC survey and clinical analysis.

Instruction for use

The instruction recommends the use of a preparation for external treatment of the affected skin with a frequency of 2-3 times a day. In order for the procedure to be most effective, it is necessary to adhere to several basic rules:

• The drug is able to cause allergic reactions. Therefore, before the first application, a skin test should be done. A small amount of ointment is applied to the wrist or inner elbow fold and follows the skin reaction. If for several hours the allergic test does not give a result, that is, there will be no irritation or redness on the skin, tetracycline ointment can be safely applied to treat rashes on the face.
• Before the procedure, the skin needs to be prepared, that is, to wash and clean the pores with soft hypoallergenic agents.
• Tetracycline ointment should be applied to the affected areas in a thin layer, with soft, circular motions. Spot application is not recommended, as it will not provide the desired therapeutic effect.
• The drug can be used under a bandage. In this case, the ointment is applied a thin layer to the cluster of acne, the top of the treated area is covered with a gauze pad and fixed with adhesive plaster. This bandage can be left for the whole night. When treating this way, do not forget to change the dressings every 12 hours.
• Many men use tetracycline ointment to treat problem skin after shaving. This helps prevent the spread of the infection. In this case, the ointment should be applied to the face in half an hour after the shaving procedure.

The duration of treatment with the drug is determined by the doctor, but many patients notice a significant improvement in skin condition within 12 hours after the first application of the ointment. To achieve a stable result, usually 3-5 days of treatment is usually enough.

If the skin is too greasy, the complex procedures will help to strengthen the effect of the application of the preparation:

• Before applying the ointment, the affected area is treated with an alcohol infusion of calendula, which has a strong antiseptic and drying effect.
• Another method involves the treatment of oily skin with a bolt on the basis of salicylic and boric acid, after which tetracycline ointment is applied to the problem areas.

When applying the drug, slight tingling may occur, but it soon passes and does not require a doctor. Regular application of the ointment is possible during the month, if by the end of this period, no visible improvement occurs, further use of the drug is not appropriate. With prolonged use of the drug, bacteria develop resistance to the antibiotic and the effectiveness of the ointment is significantly reduced.

Tetracycline ointment for the treatment of acne should be prescribed by a dermatologist, after a special study( bakposseva), which will help determine the type of pathogen. The fact that the drug is powerless against some types of pathogenic microorganisms, and in such cases, treatment will not work. The tetracycline ointment helps with acne only with reasonable and reasonable application, and shows high activity in certain types of pathogen( anaerobic bacteria, Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic microorganisms).Most proteus, fungi and small viruses are resistant to tetracycline and use them against the drug is useless.

Contraindications

Tetracycline ointment, like any drug based on an antibiotic, has a number of contraindications. It can not be used in the following cases:

• For hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to
• components For fungal lesions of the skin
• For leukopenia
• For liver diseases( liver failure)
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding

The instruction to the drug warns that the use of the ointment has limitationsaccording to the age. In children under 11 years of age, the drug can be used only as directed by the doctor and under his supervision. Up to 8 years of medication is contraindicated, because during this period children develop and form permanent teeth and the use of tetracycline can lead to an irreversible change in their color.

The drug is prohibited for use during pregnancy, because its active ingredient easily penetrates the placenta and provokes fetal development disorders. During breastfeeding, tetracycline is excreted in the mother's milk and can adversely affect the baby's condition. If during this period there is a need for the use of an antibacterial agent, the issue of temporary cessation of breastfeeding and the transfer of the baby to artificial mixtures should be resolved.

Side effects of

Tetracycline ointment can cause side effects, which are manifested by a burning sensation, itching, redness and irritation of the skin. In patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug allergic reactions develop, sometimes they can be accompanied by serious complications( anaphylactic shock, Quinck edema).Such conditions are life-threatening and require emergency medical care. Avoid acute reactions will help an elementary skin test, which experts advise mandatory before the first use of the drug.

In very rare cases, treatment with an antibacterial agent leads to disorders of the digestive tract: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, inflammatory processes in the esophagus. Patients may complain of dry mouth, discoloration of the tongue and manifestation of esophagitis.

the part of the central nervous system marked headache, dizziness, hematopoietic system responds to changes in blood counts, with part of the skin can develop the effect of photosensitivity( increased sensitivity of the skin to UV rays).

Violation recommendations and excess doses of antibiotic in some cases provokes a decrease of immunity and the development of thrush, vulvovaginitis, an intestinal candidiasis or the development of hypovitaminosis( shortage in the body), B vitamins

side effects of the drug are quite a few, so you should not self-medicate. Tetracycline ointment should be prescribed by a specialist, taking into account the state of the body, the degree of skin lesions and possible contraindications. Failure to comply with medical recommendations and the duration of treatment can lead to serious complications and systemic adverse reactions, so we should not forget that this is a serious drug that contains a powerful antibiotic, rather than cosmetic skin care. If any unfavorable reaction of the body occurs, the drug should be discontinued and consult a physician for correction of the subsequent course of treatment.

Additional recommendations of

Specialists warn that with prolonged use of antibacterial agents, monitoring of the hematopoiesis system, liver and kidney functions is necessary. During the treatment with the drug it is desirable to take vitamins B, K, or brewer's yeast, this will prevent the development of hypovitaminosis. Before the first application of the ointment, always perform a skin test, this will help to avoid acute allergic reactions. During treatment, medication should not use makeup to mask a problem skin with a thick layer of foundation or other use makeup, as this can cause irritation and other side effects.

In general, reviews on tetracycline ointment for acne are positive, users note the high effectiveness of the drug and a persistent positive result. But, at the same time, many patients warn that it is necessary to apply the medication after consulting a specialist to avoid unwanted complications and adverse reactions.

reviews on the use of tetracycline ointment acne

Review №1

recently suffered from pustular rash on the skin, have tried a lot of money, but the result was not much. The dermatologist advised to try tetracycline ointment. This drug is very inexpensive and is sold in any pharmacy, I did not even know that it can be used to fight acne.

felt relief just after the first application, apply the cream 2 times a day and on the second day of treatment, noted that inflamed pimples started to dry out, the inflammation markedly decreased, and the skin is no longer looked red and irritated. The only drawback of the drug for me was that the ointment leaves greasy marks, so I would not advise to apply it immediately before bed. The rest of the medication was at an altitude, now the tube with ointment has constantly registered in my medicine cabinet.

Clara, Nizhny Novgorod

Review №2

If inflamed pimples appear on my face, I apply tetracycline ointment. With this drug is a sign for a long time, its effectiveness has been tested repeatedly. Ointment always helps, quickly copes with inflammation, eliminates purulent pimples, does not spread infections. The composition of the drug includes an antibiotic that destroys pathogens that cause the appearance of acne and thus eliminates the underlying cause of the disease.

This tool is very powerful, it is inexpensive and unlike many advertised tools, it quickly helps to get the desired result. Here only to apply a drug for a long time I do not advise, usually that the face was cleared from rashes enough 3-5 days, longer to use ointment it is not necessary, differently it is possible to provoke irritation and allergic reactions.

Michael, Penza

Review No.3

Recently, in front of the responsible event, several large, painful acne appeared on the face that could not be masked with cosmetic means. My friend advised tetracycline ointment. This inexpensive drug did not cause me special trust, I thought that it was used only for the treatment of eye infections.

It turned out that there is another form of tetracycline ointment, which is prescribed for the treatment of problem skin. This medication helped me, literally after a few applications, the pimples were blown off, dried up and soon the face was completely cleansed.

Alena, Moscow