In acne What therapies actually help?

Acne is well with the right treatment to eliminate

Not only adolescents in adolescence, but adults also suffer from severe blemishes and pimples, called acne. Many sufferers independently try to get the problems under control, but the choice of the wrong remedies often complicates skin problems. Here's the question, which is the right method to permanently eliminate the acne.

"Acne is one of the most common skin diseases. Around 85 percent of all Germans have ever had to deal with blackheads, pimples or pustules in their lives, "reported the Apothekerkammer Bremen in a recent release. Above all, adolescents and young adults are affected, but women and men around the age of 30 or 40 may also be affected. In particular, proper care is crucial for a successful treatment, whereby often even over-the-counter remedies can help. The Apothekerkammer Bremen has outlined the forms of acne and the means of treatment available.

Acne usually gets well under control with the right treatment. (Image: Ocskay Bence / fotolia.com)

Oily skin, blackheads and inflammatory nodes

Beginning with puberty, many adolescents struggle with skin blemishes and pimples, as the first hormone changes take place during this time, according to the Apothekerkammer. Also hereditary predisposition could favor the occurrence of acne. The non-infectious disease of the sebaceous skin regions is characterized by oily skin, blackheads and inflammatory nodules. In some patients, the symptoms show up even in later years of life.

Aggressive facial cleansing the most common mistake

According to the Apothekerkammer Bremen around 60 percent of all those affected with so-called "physiological acne" to fight. This can often be quickly resolved even without medical treatment and over-the-counter remedies. "A consultation in the pharmacy helps to find the right funds. Aggressive cleansing of the facial skin is the most common mistake in acne, "emphasizes Uta Ense of the pharmacy chamber Bremen in the current release.

Three main types of acne are distinguished

• "Acne comedonica", the light form that can be independently treated as part of self-medication.
• "Acne papulo-pustulosa", the medium-heavy form, which is characterized by numerous pustules, nodules and papules with inflammation.
• "Acne conglobata", the most severe form, with extensive inflammation that can leave scars.

In addition, there are some other, less frequently occurring types of acne, as well as, for example, caused by drugs or make-up forms, reports the pharmacy chamber.

The right skin care

Basically, sufferers should treat affected skin areas in the morning and in the evenings exclusively with pH-neutral and perfume-free soaps or washing lotions and then maintain the skin with water-based moisturizers, explains the expert. In the pharmacy over-the-counter ointments, creams, washing lotions and other products for independent acne treatment are available and at the same time the affected persons are offered expert, individual advice.

Over-the-counter anti-acne remedies

The treatment of mild to moderate acne is usually topical, ie externally, in which cases keratolytic (slightly peeling) and antibacterial products are recommended, reports the pharmacy chamber. For example, can be used on funds with the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which are available without prescription in the pharmacy and can be used in all forms of acne. It should be noted that benzoyl peroxide can fade colored and dark clothing, hair and bed linen. To avoid stains, old T-shirts and bed linen should be used in the treatment, advises the expert.

Furthermore, the pharmacy chamber recommends sulfonated slate oils for mild to moderate acne, which consist of ammonium bituminous sulfonate and anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and sebostatic (drying) to act. Zinc can also be used as an oral acne remedy because it has anti-inflammatory and antiandrogenic effects. In addition to these tips the pharmacy chamber can help with the less severe forms of acne home remedies for pimples, which contribute to the natural relief of the symptoms.

Severe acne requires a doctor's visit

"Those who suffer from severe acne are the first to discuss with the dermatologist what treatment is appropriate," emphasizes Uta Ense. For the treatment of severe forms usually prescription drugs are required. These range from antibiotics, agents with azelaic acid or gestagens with antiandrogenic effect, to oral or external retinoids (for example, isotretinoin, acitretin or adapalene). Since retinoids can cause side effects in many cases, a consultation with the doctor is required before use. For example, pregnant women and nursing mothers are not allowed to use the medicine because it can cause malformations of the fetus, according to the Pharmacist's Chamber. For this reason, a double contraceptive method must be used during the application.

The contraceptive pill can also be used for systemic acne treatment. (Image: Wolfilser / fotolia.com)

Remedies for systemic acne treatment

The experts continue to warn that intensive UV light should be avoided when using topical retinoids. In addition, it may come during treatment to dry eyes and lips or dry skin. A prescription of retinoids is therefore rarely and with high suffering pressure into consideration. In the case of systemic acne treatment with tablets, according to the pharmacist's chamber, in most cases the following active ingredient groups are used:

• Contraceptive pills with anti-androgenic properties due to different ingredients (effect occurs, always in combination with local remedies, only after about six months),
• Antibiotics that primarily fight inflammation and also have an antibacterial effect,
• as well as retinoids.

In contraceptive pills without antiandrogenic properties, however, threatens an increase in acne, so the warning of the pharmacy chamber. It is also important to remember that at the beginning of treatment therapy, the acne often gets worse. But staying is worth it, because after a dry spell is usually followed by a significant improvement, so the experts.

Diet a key factor

Since the diet can also be closely related to the symptoms, it should also be taken into account in acne therapy. Because growth factors and insulin stimulate the sebum overproduction, which aggravates the symptoms. Milk and whey products as well as "fast" carbohydrates such as sweets, white bread, cola, cornflakes or white rice can also impair the appearance of the skin by stimulating insulin production. The correct nutrition has an important influence on the skin health, emphasizes the pharmacy chamber. (fp, pm)