If you have more than just a smattering of tiny pimples, you've probably got a bacterial infection as part of your acne. A type of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes for short, causes infection in blocked skin openings and can infect smaller pimples, swelling them and giving them their distinctive white pus top. Dermatologists often use doxiciclina, an antibiotic more commonly known as doxycycline, to treat inflammatory acne.
Causes
Acne results when your skin produces more oil than it needs to keep it moist and lubricated. This oil from your skin, combined with dead skin cells, causes whiteheads, blackheads and small pimples by blocking your hair follicles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Once these blockages are in place, bacteria can begin to grow in those follicles, which causes them to bulge.
Function
Doctors commonly use doxycycline, an antibiotic in the tetracycline family, to treat acne, urinary tract infections and other bacterial infections, according to Drugs.com. Doxycycline does not actually kill the bacteria; instead, it works by weakening the organisms, helping your own immune system to kill them. Your physician will base your dose of the medication on several variables, including your weight, so you should follow dosing directions carefully.
Side Effects
Children younger than eight years old should not take doxycycline for any reason, since it can make adult teeth turn dark and yellow during the tooth formation process, according to Drugs.com. Pregnant women should avoid the medication for the same reason to protect their unborn children. Common side effects of doxycycline include gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea, mouth sores, a swollen tongue or trouble swallowing. Much less frequently, users develop a serious allergic reaction to doxycycline that can include hives and difficulty breathing.
Effectiveness
Doxycycline works better than many other antibiotics to treat inflammatory acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For example, a study published in December 2008 in the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology" looked at two groups of patients taking two different formulations of doxycycline. Within three months, each of the groups saw at least 84 percent of their pimples clear.
Considerations
Doxycycline, like some other antibiotics, can cause sun sensitivity, so be careful going out during strong midday sun and wear sun protection while taking the medication. In addition, many patients need a second medication in addition to doxycycline to fully knock out bad acne. Your dermatologist may prescribe a topical medication, such as Tretinoin, to help you clear your pores while the doxycycline helps fight P. acnes.
