Unfortunately, acne does not only occur on the face, it also develops in other parts of the body like the back and the neck. This skin condition, which literally causes embarrassment to the sufferer thereof, however, also grows even on the most unusual part — the genital organ. When this condition happens, the acne is also called Hidradenitis Suppurativa or Acne Inversa.

It is relevant to understand that genital acne is not a result of an unsafe sexual activity nor is it a direct indication of a sexually transmitted disease or any serious genital infection. The causes of genital acne are almost the same as the determinants of pimples in other parts of the body.

More often than not, genital acne develops because of sweat. Body parts such as the groin, the armpit, and the nipples have apocrine glands that produce sweat. When the sweat is trapped in the skin, the area provides a favorable environment for acne bacteria, thus pimples start to grow.

Genital acne is treatable. If you think that you have this kind of medical condition, you must consult your doctor first to assure that what you are experiencing is really a genital acne and not any other genital disease.

Before purchasing any medication for acne treatment, learn first the possible irritants or culprits of genital acne. If your clothes irritate your genital area, you should change your detergent because it may be harmful to your skin. Check your body soap as well for it might be too harsh for you. It is also a good preventive measure to avoid using tight clothing. Pantyhose and tight jeans can constantly rub against your skin, thus irritating it. Simple irritations can lead to blemishes and skin infections.

Having a cleansing routine is also an important aspect in genital acne treatment. Through regular cleansing, dirt and dead skin cells are removed on the sensitive area of the body. Mild cleansers are recommended in cleansing to assure that the genital area is not going to be under-moisturized nor irritated. Women, most especially, should choose a gentle genital acne lotion or cream that matches their skin condition.

Genital acne can also be addressed by oral medications. Over-the-counter drugs and antibiotics can help reduce pimples and prevent acne inflammation. However, these drugs would effectively work if taken under an expert’s prescription. Moreover, discipline is vital in using oral medications, thus religiously following the instructions and patience, as acne should be expected to heal in a few months’ time, will guarantee an almost 100% satisfying result.

Some acne sufferers prefer oral acne medications over topical or surgical types of treatment. This could be partly because of the availability and the convenience of taking such medicines. Moreover, oral acne treatments are believed to cure the skin disease by fixing some internal bodily problems like the presence of bacteria in the body to treat the acne. This being the case, a drug such as an antibiotic, not surprisingly, can also be a part of an acne treatment regiment.

Antibiotics, as effective bacteria killers, find and attack harmful bacteria that can cause infection, which also works well for preventing acne growth, not to mention the early treatment of growing pimples. In this regard, on of the most commonly-recommended antibiotic against acne is doxycycline.

Doxycycline is originally prescribed to individuals who are suffering from bacterial infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. But later on, it has become a medication for severe acne. This antibiotic is often associated with tetracycline because of its effectiveness in reducing pimples and inflammatory acne.

Acne sufferers whose conditions do not respond to antibiotics such as tetracycline or erythromycin take doxycycline for acne treatment. Although this antibiotic is generally safe to use, there are a number of things that must be kept in mind in taking doxycycline.

The dosage for this antibiotic is 50 milligrams (or twice this measurement) at least twice everyday. Doctors advise patients to take doxycycline after taking their meal to avoid significant nausea. Furthermore, if the dosage is exceeded, as some patients do because they want faster results, the drug can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

To make doxycycline work better and faster, individuals who prefer this antibiotic should not take other supplements. Minerals and vitamins such as iron, calcium, and antacids counteract the drug’s efficacy because they prevent the body from absorbing the drug. When under this medication, it is also important that patients use sunscreen or avoid sunlight because doxycycline can cause sunburn.

Doxycycline is also not recommended to pregnant women because it can pose threat to the health of unborn babies. In the same manner, breastfeeding mothers must also avoid this antibiotic for it affects the baby’s teeth and bone development.

Unfortunately, just like any other oral acne treatments, doxycycline is not without adverse effects. For one, facial swelling and itching are the less serious side effects of the drug. But sometimes, it affects the respiratory functions of the body, while it can also cause stomach cramps or fever.