Strains of antibiotic resistant acne are on the rise but new treatment options are emerging to keep super bug acne in check.
Acne mostly affects teenagers but it can continue into adulthood leaving scars on the skin. It can also have a negative psychological impact and result in reduced self-esteem. To preclude any long term impact, acne should be treated early and aggressively.
Traditional acne treatment is a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics reduce the number of bacteria in and around the follicles on the face and elsewhere. The treatment also cuts inflammation associated with acne.
Recent studies show a rise in the number of strains of acne causing bacteria that don’t respond to traditional antibiotic treatment. This ‘super bug acne’ makes it difficult to treat breakouts with the traditional method.
Most people are able to tame breakouts with over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid. Another effective treatment for stubborn acne is using laser to zap the zits, infected follicles.
A new product called Zeno uses heat to do the trick. This hand-held battery-operated device has a tip designed to heat up the bacteria in the skin follicle and kills the bacteria. For females with stubborn acne hormonal treatments using estrogen/progesterone based contraceptive have show positive results.
Most experts agree stress plays a role is causing acne. Stress affects body hormones which in turn can cause acne breakouts. Reducing stress can help preventing acne. Other factors that help ward off a breakout is eating healthy, drinking lots of water, getting restful sleep and regular exercise.
Every type of acne has a solution; the trick to bust it is by finding the treatment that works.