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Antibiotic Resistant Acne - a Modern Nightmare

There’s a discouraging new skin condition that some are calling Super Acne.  This is acne caused by bacteria that are no longer susceptible to antibiotics.  Once this type of acne gets established it can be very difficult to get rid of.

To begin, we need to understand how antibiotic resistance comes about in the first place.  I think we’ve all know about methacillin resistant staph  (MRSA).  The same factors that lead to MRSA are behind the acne problem as well.

Bacteria multiply rapidly and as they do mutations can develop.  Eventually, this process will lead to the occurrence of a gene that conveys antibiotic resistance.

When there are a lot of other bacteria around, they compete with each other for nutrients and the other requirements for growth.  The resistant bacterium is just one of millions. However, if an antibiotic kills all the bacteria sensitive to it, that competition is gone.  This leaves the resistant bacteria to multiply rapidly and take over.

When penicillin was first developed it was effective against almost all bacteria.  Now almost all bacteria are resistant to it. By the same mechanism, using antibiotics to treat acne has made the bacteria that cause acne are becoming more resistant the more anitbiotics are used.

Because of this, physicians are less likely to prescribe antibiotics for acne.  Not too long ago it was relatively common for a physician to prescribe a daily low dose of an antibiotic, often tetracycline or erythromycin, for acne.  They’re much less likely to do that today.

The good news is that there are a lot of good treatment programs today that don’t require antibiotics.  One that I’ve seen help a lot of people very quickly is Acne Free In Three Days.

The three day part may be a bit of an exaggeration but the treatment program does can clear up problems very rapidly for most people. No antibiotic involve.

There are a lot of good sources on acne treatment available and I suggest you look around.   Best Acne Answers always seem to have reliable information.  They have  page on super acne you should see:The Rise Of Super Acne - Is Anyone Safe?

If at some point a physician does want to prescribe an antibiotic for acne talk about the reasons why very carefully.  It may be the best move for you, but should probably be used only as a last resort.

BTW – family physicians are more likely to prescribe an antibiotic for acne than dermatologists are.  If your family doc recommends antibiotics, you may want to get a second opinion from a dermatologist first.