Side Effects of Acne Treatments

Most people experience acne at one point in their life. It’s very common in teens, but even older adults can encounter a breakout, especially during pregnancy. Excess oil, dead skin cells, and dirt on your skin’s surface clog the pores creating pimples or tiny localized infections. Acne medications or treatments are focused on getting rid of bacteria and drying up the oils that trigger severe skin problems.

What kinds of acne treatment are good for me?

There are several types of acne treatments, including lifestyle remedies, medication, alternative medicine, and medical therapies or procedures. The type of treatment that works best for you will be determined by the severity of your condition.

People experiencing mild-to-moderate acne might have whitish or blackish pimples. These are quite easy to treat. However, cystic acne is more challenging. The reason is that cyst acne comprises large red cysts underneath the skin surface and can really be painful. This condition is sometimes referred to as inflammatory acne.

Side Effects of Acne Treatments

The side effects caused by acne treatments vary according to the chosen method and the strength of the drugs or medication applied. The commonest side effects of topical acne treatments are dryness, itchiness, and irritation of the skin. Luckily, these symptoms aren’t permanent and often improve as the body gets used to them. Nevertheless, if your skin peels off heavily, itches, or burns, talk to your doctor about it.

However, the potential side effects associated with oral medications can be devastating. Antibiotics can cause stomach discomforts or make you feel lightheaded and dizzy. If you are taking birth control pills together with antibiotics, ensure that you utilize a backup method. Certain antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills to protect you from unwanted pregnancy. If you are taking birth control pills to treat acne, be informed that the side effects of such contraceptives include high blood pressure and a greater risk for blood clots.

Isotretinoin is highly effective in curing acne. Research indicates that 80% of people who use this drug experience a significant improvement in the condition of their skin. However, such side effects can really be devastating, particularly, if you become pregnant while taking the drug. Complex birth defects are prevalent among women who take isotretinoin during pregnancy. In the event that such side effects occur, you may have to seek medical assistance.

Other side effects caused by topical benzoyl peroxide:

• Painful irritation, itching, burning, crusting, blistering, and swelling of the skin
• Skin rashes
• Tightness in your throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the tongue, eyes, lips, or face

Taking an overdose of benzoyl peroxide can lead to severe scaling, itching, redness, burning, or swelling of the skin. If this occurs, be quick to get emergency medical help.

Minor Side Effects

Mild side effects caused by acne treatments may not require medical attention. As the body adjusts to the medicine during treatment, such side effects might disappear naturally. Your doctor might also advise you on how to reduce or prevent the occurrence of these problems. Less common side effects include mild stinging, reddening of the skin, dryness, and peeling of the skin.

Mild acne will gradually go away without any treatment or medication. However, sometimes, more pimples can develop after the disappearance of others. Severe cases of acne are hardly harmful, but can result in emotional distress and detrimental scarring of the skin. Depending on the adversity of your condition, you might choose no treatment, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs.