Topical antibiotics for acne reddit. Therefore, there is no direct scientific evidence concerning the safety of most acne medications during pregnancy. It did help but my doctor told me it was best to use in conjunction with a topical treatment as you can’t be on antibiotics for long and the acne will just come back once you stop antibiotics if you aren’t using a topical treatment. Then, she started crushing her oral antibiotics because she couldn't keep being on them as she reported being so unwell from taking them for months now. “One common treatment option for sufferers of severe acne is a topical antibiotic,” shares Dr. Erythromycin and clindamycin are two good options. Usually antibiotics that do things like this are extremely potent to killing bacteria and so they actually can’t be given internally, they can only be applied topically. The BNF treatment summary for topical preparations for acne states that antibacterial resistance of C. i’m repairing it, but needing some control topically over my acne while trying to fix the internal problems. [Misc] Anyone using topical antibiotics aren't you concerned you'll develop antibiotic resistance? I've been thinking about trying aczone, it seems like a great antiinflammatory for the acne I do get, but since it's also an antibiotic I'm concerned about developing a resistance and making things worse. My dermatologist has prescribed oral erythromycin and epiduo forte topical cream for my moderate acne. My acne is not bad on 90% of my face. Anyhow they cannot be used for a prolonged time because the bacteria might get used to them and the antibiotics will no longer have the same benefit. It is ideal to use 3-5%, studies have shown that BP used with topical antibiotics or adapalene are more effective than using it alone. I've had mild but extremely persistent [acne] that I cannot pinpoint to any particular time of the month or event. Evidence supports the short-term use of systemic antibiotics to gain control of acne and help our topical regimens overcome the disease process. Acne medicine taken by mouth. Topical treatment (e. r/SkincareAddiction, what has been your experiences using long-term antibiotics for mild acne? Any side effects (weight gain, stomach Topical clindamycin resistance are really getting more common because of lack of knowledge abt antibiotics and there's too much hype abt it because its effective against acne so people tends to use it as a maintenance when its not. acnes. My question is, what's next? However, oral antibiotic are just short term due to health issues and I already am starting to get daily stomach aches. Aug 19, 2020 · More than likely, we will reach for topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, and the occasional systemic antibiotic. These come in a variety of forms, including lotions, gels, pads, and toner-like solutions. Unfortunately, antibiotics are not a good long-term solution. Welcome to r/Clindamycin! This subreddit is dedicated to all things Clindamycin, the amazing yet underrated acne medication. I was wondering if anyone switched to a topical antibiotic (which?), and they were able to take it long term without any side effects? TAKE A PROBIOTIC. Shortly thereafter i got fungal acne (yeast issues) and normal acne. However the same half dollar size area on both cheeks get acne. A subreddit for discussing acne and how to best treat it. Some common We agreed to stop the clindamycin topical d/t fear of antibiotic resistance. If the patient is female, birth control pills are often also prescribed to control hormone levels. Broad-spectrum antibiotics do not distinguish between good and bad bacteria, so they try to inhibit them all. I've seen posts about this, but I'm wondering if it would work with 10% AzA instead of 15% and if 15% would be more effective. After a cyst has been drained or surgically removed, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. Oct 17, 2023 · Antibiotic medicine taken by mouth. 6/10 for effectiveness on active acne. This is why some people get yeast infections after using antibiotics internally May 21, 2024 · Dermatologists say clindamycin is an incredibly effective topical ingredient for acne. If they don't work then the next step is to move on to isotretinoin treatments, either topical or oral, and while these pose possibly severe side effects, they will provide nearly permanent cure from acne for most patients. 05% cream nights and Dapsone 5% gel mornings. Baldwin emphasizes, “Topical erythromycins no longer works in the United States, because P. It is recommended for use by dermatologists and in recent evidence-based guidelines. Different doxycycline products may have different instructions for how to take the medication. Again, preventing antibiotic resistance. (I already take a probiotic/prebiotic and vitamins. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. In many ways, the topicals may decrease antibiotic resistance by preventing superficial infections from getting worse and requiring systemic drugs. Erythromycin reduces acne-causing bacteria and inflammation on the skin. Antibiotics work best when they are combined with other acne We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. acnes showed antibiotic resistance in 1978, roughly 2/3 are resistant today [7–9]. In general, most brands of doxycycline may be taken with food. 5 - are topical antibiotics not good long term? I know oral aren’t. But many patients ask Oct 28, 2020 · Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic that doctors may prescribe to treat acne. Sep 14, 2021 · Clindamycin is prescribed as an oral or topical antibiotic for bacterial infections Topical clindamycin effectively treats mild–severe acne Improvements can be seen within 2–6 weeks of starting treatment Clindamycin is typically combined with other acne medications Acne vulgaris is a very common skin condition that develops when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells and debris I took lymecyclicne about 2 years ago for around 6 months. But some people just have acne too severe for topical treatment so idk. Dec 9, 2025 · Bottom Line Doxycycline is an effective oral tetracycline antibiotic that works in acne by slowing the growth of bacteria and promoting anti-inflammatory effects. Resistance may develop to the topical drugs, but there is virtually no effect on the effectiveness of systemic drugs. Here's what you need to know. My derm sent me topical dapsone . but with antibiotics it's always better to follow the instructions. Miriam Hanson, dermatologist and skin care expert at Sanova Dermatology. Topical antibiotics are usually combined with other anti-bacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, etc. Jan 30, 2024 · Strong recommendations are made for topical benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and/or antibiotics and their fixed-dose combinations, and for oral doxycycline. Jul 18, 2021 · Antibiotics can effectively kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation Topical antibiotics are typically prescribed for mild-to-moderate acne and oral antibiotics for severe acne Oral antibiotics are associated with more side effect than topical treatments Antibiotics should always be combined with other acne treatments to avoid bacterial resistance Acne is an extremely common skin Oct 28, 2020 · Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic that doctors may prescribe to treat acne. BMDs show Colistin (Polymyxin E) is effective against most of the bugs found in people's faces and such, which means little resistance to the active components of triple antibiotic ointment. My chin forehead and nose NEVER get any acne. , oral antibiotics and hormonal therapy) can be used as first-line treatment in cases of moderate-to-severe acne, in Mar 23, 2023 · Antibiotics are a safe and effective treatment for a type of acne called inflammatory acne. tretinoin) and/or benzoyl peroxide or azealic acid. Treatment options range from topical creams to laser hair removal, and even prescription antibiotics. I fear that this isn't going to work, as I really don't believe my acne is bacterial - rather a result of the harsh acids I was using. La Roche Posay Effaclar Cleansers at night and Certain antibiotics can reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin and lessen inflammation. Click inside to learn more about taking this antibiotic for your skin. For severe rosacea that doesn't respond to other medicine, you may be prescribed isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, others). It tends to work well for inflammatory acne lesions and related scarring. Jul 2, 2018 · Topical erythromycin should be avoided completely for the treatment of acne, Dr. Jun 18, 2021 · Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used to treat many different bacterial infections and skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Jan 27, 2022 · Oral or topical antibiotics — such as tetracycline and erythromycin — can help treat severe, painful acne that is related to bacteria on the skin. Antibiotic tablets (oral antibiotics) are usually used in combination with a topical treatment to treat more severe acne. She also prescribed me Dapsone gel ( Aczone brand name), saying it is much more gentle. Apr 27, 2020 · Alternative acne treatments A person can use topical ointments for the treatment of acne, though they can also use oral medications, such as oral antibiotics. This article covers how topical antibiotics work for acne and the possible side effects of using them. For sufferers of severe acne, relief often proves elusive. What’s the difference between them and which one is best for you? Jul 12, 2019 · Benzoyl peroxide is one of the many options available for treating acne and acne scars. Because antibiotics don’t clear pores, doctors frequently prescribe these in combination with over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide creams or topical I came across a post on Reddit that suggested using triple antibiotic ointment (i. Erythromycin, in its topical form (applied to skin), is used to treat I am thinking of adding Azelaic Acid to my routine to prevent antibiotic resistance from my topical Clindamycin use, reduce hyperpigmentation, and (potentially) reduce oiliness. Oct 22, 2025 · Learn about different types of antibiotics that are frequently used to treat acne to determine which may be right for you. Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide: previously prescribed by dermatologist, I can't remember its effectiveness because it was way before my acne became cystic. I take one specifically made to prevent vaginal thrush because for me that's what I'm prone to on antibiotics (TMI, sorry?). I workout regularly and have a pretty clean diet besides the obvious "cheat meal") Thanks in advance for anyone who can help! May 15, 2025 · The Effect that Pregnancy Has on Acne Treating Acne During Pregnancy Topical Treatments Oral Antibiotics Other Oral Treatments Understanding how to treat acne during pregnancy is difficult because, for ethical reasons, medications are not studied on pregnant women. But it’ll only be 1-2 spots at a time. Hi r/acne! I havent found any info online after digging so I am wondering if i have to apply a topical antibiotic 3x throughout the day, should I be washing my face before each application? Antibiotic creams are another prescription treatment option.   The multiple topical and oral antibiotics I was prescribed improved my acne slightly but they certainly didn’ Jan 30, 2024 · Strong recommendations are made for topical benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and/or antibiotics and their fixed-dose combinations, and for oral doxycycline. acnes has become so resistant to it, and when you use topical erythromycins it does not treat acne. Read on to discover the benefits and potential side effects. If you're not sure which acne product to buy, start with one that contains benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or both. When you use a topical antibiotic, it kills some of the bacteria, but of course when you stop using it, the acne will come back. They are great for blasting cystic acne, but taking them for more than a few months can have negative health consequences. View important safety information, ratings, user reviews, popularity and more. 33F, have had severe hormonal cystic acne most of my adulthood. “When doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics, that doesn’t just harm the pathogen, but good bacteria too,” said Ivan L Mar 2, 2026 · Topical tetracycline is another option, but it's prescribed less often because it is known to cause skin discoloration. Neosporin) for cystic, and other forms of acne. Topical clindamycin resistance are really getting more common because of lack of knowledge abt antibiotics and there's too much hype abt it because its effective against acne so people tends to use it as a maintenance when its not. Apr 20, 2020 · Antibiotics are a common treatment option prescribed by Doctors for acne and it was one of the first (of many) unsuccessful treatments my own Dermatologist prescribed me years ago. Does anyone have any tips/advice and any experiences using either they can share with me? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The derm prescribed a couple creams and antibiotics, but the creams didn’t work and the abx just gave me terrible stomach symptoms. Erythromycin should be used for a short time to prevent antibiotic resistance. I regret not seeing my dermatologist sooner and getting prescribed Clindamycin Lotion (a pregnancy-safe topical antibiotic). The antibiotics in Neosporin and similar ointments use classes of antibiotics that are almost never used as injected or oral drugs. Nov 26, 2025 · Here's all you need to know about how doxycycline works for acne, its side effects, and whether it's right for you. Reply reply Christine-2023 • It is ideal to use 3-5%, studies have shown that BP used with topical antibiotics or adapalene are more effective than using it alone. However, this can harm the microbiome, and overuse of these antibiotics can lead to antimicrobial resistance. Learn about how long you can take antibiotics to treat acne and how a dermatologist can help. During Accutane, you can't get pregnant because it can cause severe birth defects and you also can't donate blood. It can be frustrating to throw out a half full bottle etc. For more serious rosacea with bumps and pimples, you may be prescribed an oral antibiotic pill such as doxycycline (Oracea, others). While only 20% of P. Antibiotics target the bacterial infection that underlies many acne outbreaks and can treat inflamed skin and red, painful pimples. Make sure that you do not take on an empty stomach and I would also highly recommend that you get a probiotic to take as well (not at the same time, stagger your pills) to help keep your digestive tract going strong. Curiously the colonizers of one colleague who'd been treated with oral minocycline for acne as a teen showed elevated resistance to tetracyclines even now. Except they are huge cysts that swell a lot and get Benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin: currently prescribed by my dermatologist. May 14, 2024 · Here are some general guidelines for choosing and using topical nonprescription acne products: Begin with benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. g. No wonder- when an antibiotic wipes out all our bacteria, there’s nothing to keep the bad bacteria in check. I been using topicals and creams for the majority of my 20s. in a nutshell, cipro absolutely destroyed my poor gut. Jul 17, 2024 · Polysporin, Neosporin, and bacitracin are all OTC antibiotic ointments to help treat or prevent infection. Topical Mupirocin does get absorbed and affect your gut health I have avoided antibiotics for 6 years but got a cut on my face recently and was told to apply Mupirocin. Acne will worsen in the first few weeks. Either one is effective and usually well tolerated. [Acne] Coming of topical Antibiotics (Clindamycin) : r/SkincareAddiction r/SkincareAddiction Current search is within r/SkincareAddiction Remove r/SkincareAddiction filter and expand search to all of Reddit TAKE A PROBIOTIC. May 23, 2025 · Topical treatments are considered to be the first line of treatment for acne. For mild to moderate inflammatory acne, topical antibiotics and medications with bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory properties are generally effective. The yeast infection was pretty mild and I just took some fluconazole. , benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and retinoids) is generally used as first-line treatment in cases of mild-to-moderate acne with comedonal lesions and inflammatory lesions. Certain antibiotics can reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin and lessen inflammation. Cutting out dairy stopped my cystic acne, eczema, and mood swings. " Antibiotics can be lifesaving and help people deal with a lot of different health issues, including acne. acnes is increasing and that there is cross-resistance between erythromycin and clindamycin; the two topical antibiotics licensed in Mar 2, 2023 · Dermatologists commonly prescribe topical and oral antibiotics for acne treatment because they possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Antibiotic overuse in the treatment of acne has led to changing resistance patterns in P. Oral isotretinoin is strongly recommended for severe acne, acne causing psychosocial burden or scarring, or acne failing standard treatment with oral or topical therapy. For more severe acne, you’ll likely need antibiotic pills, such as minocycline, erythromycin, or doxycycline. Mar 2, 2026 · Topical tetracycline is another option, but it's prescribed less often because it is known to cause skin discoloration. Bacterial folliculitis is usually due to Staphylococcus aureus. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, clindamycin is a first-line acne treatment for mild to moderate acne. Mainly, it's quite harsh on your body, especially on your liver. . She said that crushing the antibiotics and applying it directly to her face made a major difference and that her acne started clearing up. e. Take your probiotic at least couple of hours apart from your antibiotic. Like, if you ingested it, it would kill your gut microbiome. This cleared my pregnancy acne! My normally clear face completely exploded with hormonal acne from week 5 and just kept getting worse no matter what I tried. Aug 15, 2022 · Determining resistance The key question is how significant the problem of antimicrobial resistance, secondary to long-term antibiotic use, is in acne patients. What’s the difference between them and which one is best for you? Feb 19, 2026 · You can only get topical erythromycin for acne with a prescription. Antibiotics can help some with their acne at least to get it more under control. The topical treatment definitely would have worked on it’s own but the lymecycline just helped it Jul 17, 2024 · Polysporin, Neosporin, and bacitracin are all OTC antibiotic ointments to help treat or prevent infection. Feb 2, 2024 · Dermatologists explain why cephalexin might be used to treat inflammatory acne. Antibiotics to treat acne How bad does your acne have to be to merit antibiotics? Do they really take 6+ weeks to come into effect? And does anyone have any personal experiences with acne antibiotics they could share? 22 votes, 39 comments. 4 Systemic treatment (e. Start using every other day and slowly increase to daily use. Some dermatologist sees Accutane (oral tablet) as the last line of defense for acne because it has so much more side effect than other acne medication/topical cream. I went to another dermatologist, who gave me another antibiotic cream, which helped with my acne. That said, I wish people on reddit wouldn't make these blanket statements about antibiotics "destroying your gut microbiome and making acne come back worse. Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicle and bacterial folliculitis (due to infection), is the most common form. 918K subscribers in the acne community. My derm has long recommend me take antibiotics paired with my topicals to help eliminate it once and for all. They can also help reduce inflammation, which Apr 24, 2025 · What do dermatologists recommend for folliculitis? Dermatologists will recommend treatments for folliculitis based on your skin's needs and the severity of it. ¹⁰ Mild acne can often be treated with ingredients like topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid. Their primary job is to reduce the growth of Cutibacterium acnes —the bacteria that lives in our pores and contributes to inflammatory acne. Hello, I’ve been struggling with cystic acne on my face and back all my life. In most cases, a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines is prescribed, unless you're pregnant or breastfeeding. In contrast, narrow-spectrum antibiotics target specific pathogens, giving beneficial bacteria a chance to survive. Sep 28, 2017 · Follow up with antibiotics. Throughout this time, I was prescribed azelain acid and antibiotic cream, but in december my acne started coming back. However, it never really goes away. For mild inflammatory acne, antibiotic creams, gels, or wipes can work. Both systemic and topical antibiotics are capable of changing the antibiotic-resistance patterns in bacteria. Does anyone have any stories or recommendations when it comes to starting this antibiotic. The first-line treatment for moderate inflammatory acne is topical retinoid + topical antibiotic + topical benzoyl peroxide, so often a dermatologist will recommend this combination. Flucloxacillin is a common oral penicillin antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and is often prescribed to treat or prevent infections of cysts. My bf started applying it on his face daily, and it has been working phenomenally well. I saw a dermatologist who recommended 3 months of Minocycline + a topical retanoid (she wanted to start me on Accutane, but that sounded extreme). Mar 9, 2022 · Board-certified dermatologist Marcelyn Coley, MD, FAAD, stated, "In addition to causing irritation and a rash, the widespread use of antibiotics—including in instances when they aren't needed—has contributed to a major public health challenge known as antibiotic resistance. Jul 18, 2021 · Antibiotics can effectively kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation Topical antibiotics are typically prescribed for mild-to-moderate acne and oral antibiotics for severe acne Oral antibiotics are associated with more side effect than topical treatments Antibiotics should always be combined with other acne treatments to avoid bacterial resistance Acne is an extremely common skin Compare topical antibiotics for Acne. Jul 12, 2019 · Benzoyl peroxide is one of the many options available for treating acne and acne scars. do topical antibiotics affect our gut health? i have been prescribed topical clindamycin 1% lotion for my perioral dermatitis and acne that i have deliver since taking ciprofloxacin. Use a topical retinoid (e. I used panoxyl and salicylic acid while using doxycycline and after quiting it. Antibiotics are the ONLY thing that have been 100% successful in clearing my acne. im just anxious that this antibiotic will We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. It's because the clindamycin starts to weaken as it expires which may cause bacteria to gain resistance against antibiotics making it more difficult to treat the acne. because research has shown that acne-causing bacteria do not develop antibiotic resistance when topical antibiotics are combined with other anti-bacterial agents. I finished the 10 month course and for almost a year, I have been clean. My acne were gone after being in doxycycline for 4 months. Acne is an inflammatory reaction to the bacteria on your skin. I use Tretonin . Sep 24, 2025 · Topical antibiotics are prescription creams, gels, or lotions that you apply directly to the skin. I think for some people antibiotics are also ideally combined with retinol so the retinol has time to work while the antibiotics slow down the rate of pimples, making it less likely acne will return. and can be treated using warm compresses, analgesics, topical antibiotics and in rare cases, oral or intravenous antibiotics. They try topical treatments, oral treatments, and follow a regulated diet, but nothing seems to clear their embarrassing and painful acne. I still get acne but like one or two per week. It can take 4 weeks to improve acne and 2-3 months to see full clearing. What hurt: Pretty much any and every topical including avene cicafalte, cicaplast balm, triple rosacea cream (azelaic acid, metronazidole, and ivermectin mixture which does help my rosacea), most sunscreens, clay face masks, colloidal silver Alcohol, sleep deprivation, stress, sunburns, wind burns, coffee, cinnamon, sugar, dairy Both oral and topical antibiotics are aimed 2 reduce the proliferation of bacteria which means the inflammation. mgh fqh ifcaw klzucoj vyiy nrvlie cehg uxpq qihi eiyoerxj